Fairy Tale Focus: Little Red Riding Hood (Multicultural)

The "Little Red Riding Hood” story is found on every continent.  Since ancient times, every culture has used this fairy tale to impart vital lessons about family, growing up, and the world around them.  I have chosen 6 tales to highlight the variety in the versions. Unlike the Grimm’s version popular in America, most of these tales highlight empowered children who outsmart their antagonist--making them ideal for modern readers.  

My 3 Favorites

Flossie and the Fox (African-America)

Author:  Patricia C. McKissack

Illustrator:  Rachel Isadora

Illustrations: Pencil, black ink, and watercolor

Characters:  Flossie, Big Mama, and the wolf

Distinctions: Spoken in old southern dialect (some non-standard English used)

Summary and Analysis:  Flossie is sent to take eggs to Miz Viola’s house.  When she meets a fox on the road, she exchanges pleasantries with him (like she’s been taught to do).  The fox wants to know why she isn’t afraid of him.  She insists he is not a fox.  He is determined to convince her with his thick luxurious fur (she says, “like a rabbit”), long pointed nose (she says, “like a rat”), sharp claws and yellow eyes (she says, “like a cat”), and bushy tail (she says, “like a squirrel”).  Her responses infuriate him! Finally, he points out his sharp teeth and running abilities. Flossie responses—“like the dog behind [you]!” The fox runs away and yells back,  “I told you, I am a fox.” She smiles, winks, and says “I know.”  Flossie safely brings the eggs to Miz Viola’s house.  I especially enjoyed Flossy and the Fox because the protagonist is sassy (in the best way) and smart.  She outwits the fox.  No victim here.  Just a resourceful young girl.  I, also, like the way the dialogue about his appearance is inverted and imaginative. 

Pretty Salma (African)

Author:  Niki Daly

Illustrator:  Niki Daly

Illustrations:  Watercolors and digital media

Characters:  Salma, Mr. Dog, Grandmother, Grandfather, and Little Abubaker

Distinction: Dog is the antagonistic instead of wolf

Summary and Analysis: As Salma goes off to the market for her grandmother, she sings a song about her grandmother’s love.  She buys all the items she needs and heads home using a short cut through “the wild side of town.”  Mr. Dog greets her with flattery.  He offers to help her out by carrying her food and eventually wearing most of her clothing (since it so hot).  He tries to imitate her in every way.  Then, he runs off.  She finds her grandfather dressed as Anansi while telling stories.  Salma gets the idea to dress as the bogeyman.  Little Abubaker follows with clapping sticks.  Meanwhile, Mr. Dog is charming grandmother who catches on he is not Pretty Salma.  She jumps in a bit pot of soup to get away from him.  The trio scares Mr. Dog away and rescue grandmother from the pot.  They all sit down to eat watermelon and to drink ice-cold pink drink.  The next day Salma goes to the market to buy new clothes. This time, she goes straight there and back.  She never talks to strangers again.  There are lively sounds and pictures to go with this creative retelling.  Pretty Salma is rich in cultural details with a sprinkle of humor. 

Lon Po Po (Chinese)

Author:  Ed Young

Illustrator:  Ed Young

Illustrations:  Ancient Chinese panel art with watercolors and pastels

Characters:  Mother, Shang, Tao, Paotze, and Po Po (wolf)

Distinction: Caldecott winning illustrations

Summary and Analysis:  Mother leaves for an overnight trip to grandma’s house.  Shang, Tao, and Paotze are instructed to lock up tight.  At dusk the wolf comes disguised as their grandmother.  He convinces them that they must have missed each other, so they let him in.  The wolf quickly blows out the candle before they can see him.  They jump into bed together, where the kids point out his surprising features—bushy tale, sharp claws, and so forth.  The eldest child realizes they are in bed with a wolf!  She entices him with the idea of the “soft and tender” gingko nuts in the tree outside their house. The wolf agrees to let them climb the tree to get some.  Once up there, the children do not come down.  Eventually, they convince the wolf to allow them to pull him up in a basket.  They drop him as he reaches the top, causing him to die of a broken heart.  The illustrations are amazing! I love the way the children continuously outwit the wolf and save themselves. 

Other Important Multicultural Versions

The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids (German/European)

Authors: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Illustrator:  Bernadette Watts

Illustrations:  Traditional drawings in soft, mostly neutral colors

Characters:  Mother goat, her 7 little kids, and a wolf

Summary and Analysis: 

Before the mother goes out looking for food, she warns her children that a wolf may disguise himself in order to eat them up.  He is known by his hoarse voice and black feet.  Shortly after, the wolf comes to their door and says, “Open the door, dear children!  Here’s your mother back, with something for each of you.” They reply, “Our mom has a soft, gentle voice.”  The wolf leaves to get some chalk to make his voice soft and gentle.  He comes back and says the same thing.  The children see his black paws this time, so he goes to the baker where gets some dough and flour to cover them.  The kids finally believe him and let him in.  He eats all but the youngest that hides in the grandfather clock.  Mother comes home.  The youngest tells what happen.  When they find the wolf resting in the meadow, something is moving in his stomach.  The mother goat cuts it open, letting all the kids out.  She sews him back up with rocks.  Waking up, he finds he is thirsty.  As he leans over a well to get some water, he falls in and dies.  The kids dance with joy.  Though it is the mother (rather than the kids) who leaves, many of the same elements are included—being tricked, eaten whole, cut out, and stones sewn in.  Unlike the traditional tale, children learn to not let strangers in the house (good lesson). 

Little Roja Riding Hood (Latino)

Author:  Susan Middleton Elya

Illustrator:  Susan Guevara

Illustrations:  Watercolor, ink, and gouache in bright colors

Characters:  Roja, Abuela, and the wolf

Distinction:  Bilingual—Mostly in English but some words are in Spanish

Summary and Analysis:  When Roja is sent to her grandmother’s with some soup, she is warned not to talk to “anything furry or wild.”  She drives a 4-wheeler through the forest.  She stops at a tree where a wolf encourages her to bring some flowers to her grandmother.  Roja lays her capa (cape) down and picks some.  The wolf steals the cape.  Wearing the cape when he appears at Abuela’s house, there is a dialogue about his appearance between the grandmother and himself.  As he attempts to pounce on her though, she holds up a heavy statue for protection.  Before she has the chance to hit him, Roja arrives and throws the hot soup on the wolf.  Abuela agrees to be more careful about letting people in and little Roja keeps her phone in the pocket in case of an emergency.  This version is an imaginative blend of contemporary and traditional elements.  The Latino elements of language and culture (especially in the illustrations) give it a unique flare. 

Petite Rouge (Cajun)

Author:  Mike Artell

Illustrator:  Jim Harris

Illustrations:  Watercolor and pencil on Stathmore rag bristol

Main Characters:  Petite Rouge (duck), TeJean (cat), and ol’ Claude (alligator)

Distinctions:  French and Cajun words; written in poetic verse; non-standard English used

Summary and Analysis:

Petite Rogue lives in a bayou.  Her mother sends her with gumbo and shrimp etouffee to care for her ill grandmother.  Along with TeJean, she takes a boat through the swamp.  Ol’ Claude stops her, but she fends him off with a stick.  Swimming ahead, he sneaks into grandma’s house.  She sees him and hides in the closet.  The gator dresses up to impersonate the grandmother.  When Petite Rouge comes in, she points out his “odd” features which he dismisses as being a result of his cold.   During the attack, TeJean thinks to grab the hot sauce and toss it to Petite Rouge.  Ol’ Claude gets a huge taste of it.  Horrified by the flavor, he swims away. Everyone laughs at the silly gator.  Convinced that little girls taste like the hot sauce, Ol’ Claude never bothers them again.  The language, while colorful, is a bit of a challenge.  If you are planning on reading it out loud to a group, practice beforehand. The pictures (especially the last one) are silly and amusing. 

Activities and Resources for Lesson Plans

• Visit SurLaLune for more about Little Red Riding Hood and other beloved tales.
• Traditional Versions
• Pinterest Collection of "Little Red Riding Hood" activities (Feel free to give additional suggestions for this board)
• Pinterest Ideas for Fairy Tales

Fairy Tale Focus: Little Red Riding Hood (Grimm's Versions)

Symbol of childhood innocence.  The girl next door.  A damsel in distress.  These are just a few images that are connected with the traditional versions of “Little Red Riding Hood.”  Charles Perrault recorded the “Le petit chaperon rouge” in 1697 for the lavish and excessive French court of Louis XIV.  In his version, Red willingly gets into bed with the wolf where she is devoured.  No chance for redemption or salvation is offered.  The Brother’s Grimm though added a savior in the form of a father/husband-type figure who saves the young naïve girl from her folly.  Being that the early tales were often written for didactic purposes, Little Red promises in some form to never go off the path again.  In other words, obedience to authorities and an avoidance of bad wolves (men) is essential to survival—especially for a young women. 

Many illustrators have been inspired by this tale.  Grimm’s narrative with its opportunity for escape and renewal is the most popular childhood version. Since most of these books are fairly similar, I highlight what makes each one unique.   Let me know which one is your favorite and why.

The Story of Little Red Riding Hood

Retold and illustrated by Christopher Bing

Bing’s narrative is a good benchmark to compare the others because it stays closest to the Grimm’s version, including having Red carry a bottle of wine and cakes as well as the filling the wolf’s stomach with rocks.  The pen and ink watercolor drawings depict the “palatable threat of the wolf, the darkness of the forest, and the delicate beauty of a handful of wildflowers” (I liked this quote from the book jacket.).  Red says to herself: “Never again will you stray from the path and go into the woods when your mother has forbidden it.”  The book includes a pamphlet replica of Charles Perrault’s version and a translation with black and white pictures of Grimm’s tale from “Rotkappchen” as it appeared in 1857.  These added elements give this picture book a historical and authentic feel.  

Little Red Riding Hood (Caldecott Honor)

Retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

The narrative begins by giving Red a name (Elisabeth) and some background of how she became “Little Red Riding Hood.”  Red takes bread, sweet butter, and bottle of wine to her grandmother.  There is a strong sense of the wolf temping her by drawing attention to the “gay and happy” sounds of the forest.  He encourages her to enjoy the bird’s song and the sunshine.  The wolf scolds her for being too proper and well behaved.  Red sees the “sunlight dancing through the trees” and “wild flowers and butterflies scattered throughout the ferns and decides to get some flowers to cheer her grandmother up.” Hyman just has the wolf killed, no fanfare on cutting open or replacing with rocks.  Little Red states, “I will never wander off the forest path again, as long as I live.  I should have kept my promise to my mother.”  There is an emphasis on etiquette too.  Red is comforted that she had minded her manners and said, “Good Morning,” Please,” and “Thank You.”  Hyman’s intricate illustrations make it well-rounded enjoyable read. 

Little Red Riding Hood

Retold and illustrated by Gennady Spirin

Spirin gives come slight background on the hood’s origin.  Little Red takes a cake to her grandmother.  The wolf merely suggests she pick flowers.  This version includes two huntsman (from a Russian story the author heard as a child).  Another unique feature is the wolf jumps out of bed.  He is chased by the huntsmen who eventually catch him and cuts open his stomach.  (Spirin dropped the rocks in stomach part completely.) Out jumps Red and Grandma who run back in the house.  Grandma declares she feels so much better now.  As they eat the cake together, Red sits on her grandmother’s lap and says, “I will never leave the path again when my mother tells me not to.”  Then, she kisses and hugs her grandmother.  Spirin’s exquisite illustrations were inspired by the golden age of Dutch painting in the 17^th century and the Renaissance. 

Little Red Riding Hood

Retold and illustrated by William Wegman

Red’s mother makes blueberry muffins for her grandmother.  There is a strong emphasis on no dawdling.  Little Red is told to go straight there and return before dark.  She makes the choice to pick flowers even before meeting the wolf.  There are many paths to her grandmothers house, so she lets “whimsy decide which path to take.” She stops to greet the woodsman on her way as well as observes and greets the animals.  Finally, she speaks to the wolf who side tracks her by telling her there is a place to pick flowers that are “special.”  Another interesting addition is that the wolf applies rogue and rehearses his lines in front of the mirror before the girl arrives.  The woodsman becomes concerned when Red does not stop by on her way home and decides to check on her.  The sudden shock of seeing the woodsman makes the wolf dizzy and nauseated, causing him to throw up the grandma and Little Red. The wolf slips out in the excitement of becoming free again.  The trio celebrates together, but they are too upset to eat.  There is an epilogue.  When Red travels to see her grandmother the following week, she goes straight there without dawdling (learning her lesson from the previous week).  However, Grandmother is visited by the wolf again.  They do not let him in this time.  He gives up and goes somewhere else. Not only does this version have several unique features, the illustrations are one-of-a-kind.  They are photographs of dogs dressed as the characters! 

Little Red Riding Hood

Retold and illustrated by Debbie Lavreys

Little Red carries a bottle of cider and piece of pie.  This straight forward version uses a big font and easy words ideal for young readers.  In the end, Red “promises herself that she would never wander off the road again.”  The contemporary, vibrant pictures stray from the more traditional ones in most the others highlighted in this post. 

Red Riding Hood

Retold and illustrated by James Marshall

Like Lavreys’ version, Marshall has also simplified the story using minimal words.  His personal touch is evident in phrases such as “not feeling up to snuff” and “frightful racket.”  Red takes grandmother her favorite custard.  Even though she is specifically told not to speak to strangers, she does so because the wolf has such charming manners.  The wolf offers to escort her because “you never know what might be lurking about.” The woodsman jumps in the window, kills the wolf, and cuts him open. Red promises to never ever speak to another stranger, charming manners or not.  On the next page, a crocodile attempts to talk to her.  She walks away, revealing that she learned her lesson. 

Little Red Riding Hood
Retold and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Pinkney makes several revisions to this classic.  Chicken soup and raison muffins are sent to grandma’s house.  The mother made the hood (usually it is the grandmother).  The setting is during the winter.  Instead of flowers, she collects kindling for fire.  I like his uses of onomatopoeia (“tap tap,” “chop chop” and “crunch crunch”) because they are easy way to encourage student involvement in the retelling. The woodcutter sees two sets of tracks, including large paw prints, which prompts him to check on grandmother.  The wolf is killed with an ax.  Then, the woodcutter opens the stomach with sewing shears. Grandmother says, “Little miss, you be certain to go straight home” and she did. The watercolor and gouache illustrations depict an African American family, making it the only multicultural picture book version of Grimm's tale that I found.

Activities and Resources for Lesson Plans

• Use a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast 2 versions. Consider why author's tend to change key areas like what is taken to grandma and how the wolf dies.
• Look closely at the endings of each story. What "lessons" are emphasized and to what degree does Red appear to internalize them?
• Examine how the story has changed over time. Do those changes diminish the significance and symbolism (as some experts claim) or do they make the story more relevant to contemporary audiences?
• Visit SurLaLune for more about Little Red Riding Hood and other beloved tales.
• Pinterest Collection of "Little Red Riding Hood" activities (Feel free to give additional suggestions for this board)
• Pinterest Ideas for Fairy Tales