Little Red Riding Hood

by Andrea Wisnewski, Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

Andrea Wisnewski makes the story of Little Red Riding Hood fresh and new in this ingeniously designed retelling. She has set her tale in the rural New England of the early nineteenth century, basing her interiors, architecture, and costumes on models found at Old Sturbridge Village, the living-history museum in western Massachusetts. The images, full of lovingly rendered period detail, are done in a medium Wisnewski has made her own: black-and-white prints made from intricate papercut designs (the results look much like woodcuts) that are then hand painted in gloriously vivid watercolor. This is surely to become the favorite American retelling of this classic tale from Grimm, the one about a stout-hearted little girl and the crafty, hungry wolf.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skimmed over this in a lovely little independent bookshop in Mill Valley yesterday. Gorgeous illustrations, can't wait to find a copy!!! :-)

Our library is so splendid--a copy was waiting there for me!!! I am absolutely enchanted by this little book. Can't really say why, exactly, it just grabs me. The papercut design illustrations (which resemble woodblock illustrations) are absolutely charming. I love the old-fashioned homey feel, yet the "darkness" about them, too--seems such a perfect fit for the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Also, Wisnewski's text is pleasant--some nice word choice and embellishments that made the story more my style (I've never really been a fan of LRR). Even so, I about laughed out loud at this part--whether I was supposed to, I'm not sure:

"Once she realized she was alive and well, Grandmother forgot her little misadventure, put on her best apron and made tea and hot buttered toast with the gifts from Little Red Riding Hood's Basket"

Oh, yes, exactly what I would have done the minute I were freed from a wolf's belly, haha. Fairytale, indeed! ;->

By the way, the illustrator/author was inspired by Old Sturbridge Village in MA so that's a nice bit of nostalgia for anyone who's been there.

Chandra and Abigail, do try to find a copy!!!

[honeybean · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this version, the woodsman is Little Red's father, and he saves the grandmother at the end, but Little Red is "too clever" to be caught (despite luring the wolf to her grandmother in the first place). Also notable that it is winter and she stops to pick bright red berries instead of customary flower bunch.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisnewski's illustrations are lovely, even if at times a tad understated for the darkness of the story. Doesn't granny's expression here convey more "Oh dear, the dog is slobbering on my clean coverlet" rather than "AHHHH a wolf!"

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture book retelling of Rotkäppchen by the Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman will always be my favorite retelling.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are FANTASTIC, and if you love fairy tales AND woodcuts (which: I do!), you should check this book out just to take a gander.

Illustrations aside, this retelling of LRRH isn't bad so much as it is bland. Illustrations this lovely deserved a more clever take.

[Bookslut · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this a few years ago, and I thought it was one of the best re-tellings of this story we'd seen, and had the best illustrations. I am glad we ran across it again. The way the wolf wraps his tail around Little Red Riding Hood is so chilling!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl with a red riding hood goes to visit her sick grandmother and meets a wolf with sinister intentions on the way. This version of the fairy tale is retold and illustrated by Andrea Wisnewski. The illustrations are lovely woodcuts. Overall, a nice version of the tale

[Chelsies Reading Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgot to Add my Reading Rush Adaptation Challenge

[Aïda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those retold fairy tales, but this one's got beautiful illustrations and set in New England. I can't quite understand what the black patch (hair?) on the sides of the face of all characters are... not quite sideburns.

Updated: After a short dialogue with the author (her instagram page is wonderful, definitely worth checking her other works), she told me this is a shadow technique. I love talking to authors!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of the story itself, but this version is cute.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The size of the book and the art on the cover caught my attention. I wanted to hold this book. I wanted to read it. But I was disappointed. Wisnewski's retelling left me feeling 'flat;' it didn't engage me in the least. Maybe she wanted to make it gentle for young readers.

The art, which I expected to love, fell short in many ways. All the human faces had black flaps or patches on the sides of their heads between ears and eyes. What is that supposed to represent? The wolf looks more like a dog than a wild animal, and the people are expressionless.

Again, I find that retellings that change location and time period don't work very well for me. Nor did I like some of the more minor changes, such as the wolf carrying RRH on his back.

I'm not going to keep this book.

[L- Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling was created by author and illustrator Andrea Wisnewski, setting the tale in rural New England in the early nineteenth century. The reader steps back in time to images that are based on the living-history museum, Old Sturbridge Village in western Massachusetts. The images are created using intricate papercut designs that appear like woodcuts. This traditional tale rings true in this retelling, with the exception of Daddy saving the day, rather than the woodcutter.
The illustrations are beautifully done. This sample will add another dimension to a classroom review of the Little Red Riding Hood versions. Grades K-4. (2006

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is changed a little bit here as Little Red doesn't get eaten and the woodsman is actually her father. It's just the little details in this that make it particularly good. The illustrations are the real standout, though; woodblock prints, they are bold looking, very clear, and really stand out. I also loved noting the background details, like the reaction of the cats. On the whole, it's a very nice book.

[Ch_jank-caporale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another version from the Brothers' Grimm, this one is situated in early New England (Old Sturbridge, Mass.)The intricate paper cuttings that look like wood cuts are colorful and memorable. I especially adore the crabapples set against the deep winter snow and the red checkered table cloth that dons Grandmother's table.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wisnewski bring[s:] to life, in vivid watercolors, a tale now set in rural New England in the early 19th century, the interiors and architecture and costumes found on models from Old Sturbridge Village's living-history museum. Loving detail cloaks the woods, the home, the family, while retaining Grimm's classic tale."
-Hannah Merker, Mainetoday.com

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artwork felt different - I liked it a lot. Story was set during winter in rural 19th century New England. LRRH takes Grandmother bread and butter. Upon arrival, LRRH immediately recognizes "Grandmother" as an impostor - the wolf she'd met in the forest. She calls for help; her father answers her call, kills the wolf, slits the wolf open, and frees Grandmother.

4 stars

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, and beautiful writing. The language of the story has a smooth flow and a vocabulary that is refined and more advanced than so many other picture books. Will read again. We borrowed the book from the library but I would actually consider owning a copy or gifting it to others.

[Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book. I want to hug it tight and tuck it under my pillow at night.

[Brooke Elden]

New England setting and costume based

[Kallie Larson]

This version of Little Red Riding Hood was much more vulgar than the story most people are used to hearing. It was pretty graphic for a children's book, but I understand that that's how they were written years ago. I do not think I would read this version of the book in my classroom only because it is quite different for young kids to hear if it is something that they are not used to or expecting.