Little Red Riding Hood

by Gennady Spirin (Adapted By, Illustrator), Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

A classic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood's encounter with a wicked wolf while visiting her grandmother. Gennady Spirin, in his adaptation of the Brother Grimms' earliest version of "Little Red Cap," tells the story of a young girl in a red hood who takes a cake to her sick grandmother. Along the way, she meets a wicked wolf who tricks her into thinking he's her granny. Sumptuous illustrations, inspired by the golden age of Dutch painting in the 17th century and Renaissance, capture the charm and spirit of a tale that has remained steadfast in oral and written versions throughout the centuries. An Author's note about the tale's history is included.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Classics

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Gennady Spirin (1948- ) is a Russian painter and children's book illustrator. A graduate of the Surikov School of Fine Art in Moscow and the Moscow Stroganov Institute of Art, he is noted for his unique style of watercolor illustration. He has illustrated works by classic authors such as William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy as well as children's books by contemporary celebrities. His oil paintings hang in public and private galleries throughout the world, and he has been profiled by The New York Times. His depiction of The Nutcracker was selected by Saks Fifth Avenue as the centerpiece of their famous Christmas display in 1997 and 1998. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, Spirin immigrated with his wife and sons to the United States, ultimately settling in Princeton, NJ, where he has lived and worked since.

(source: Wikipedia)


Alternate spellings:
Gennadij Spirin
Gennadi Spirin
Генадий Спирин
ガナディ・スピリン

Reviews

[Lady Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.4 / 5

Let me put it this way: some of the imagery in this book is almost inappropriate, and makes it obvious why paranormal/fantasy romances between Red Riding Hood and the Wolf exist.

(Also, I couldn't understand why the wolf was dressed in fancy noblemen's clothes. I'm afraid that just made no sense.)

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gennady Spirin tried something new with the illustrations of this book. Many of the images look like something from the Dutch golden age of the 17th century. And, since the Dutch painters have always been favorites of mine, I immediately liked this book.

In this story of the classic tale of young Red Riding Hood taking a basket of food to her grandmother. To do so, she must go through the woods. She is told to stay on the path and not to wander. Alas, she did not listen. Picking flowers for her grandmother allowed the big bad wolf to hurry to grandmother's house before Red Riding Hood arrived there. He hastily ate granny. Then, repeated his feast when the little girl arrived. He ate her as well! Two hunters in the woods, were walking near grannies door. They saw the wolf and his great big stomach. They cut the stomach open, releasing Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.

As usual, the illustrations are simply beautiful and exquisitely detailed!

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted and illustrated by Gennady Spirin.

[Bhebden Hebden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic version of Little Red Riding Hood, authored and illustrated by Gennady Spirin, is adapted from The Brothers Grimm earliest tale, Rotkappchen, published in 1812. Spirin’s Russian adaptation came highly recommended through my local public library. The retelling is based on Spirin’s childhood memory of the oral version he grew up hearing in Russia. The narrative is simple and direct. The 17th century Renaissance Dutch inspired illustrations are the most captivating aspect of Spirin’s tale. The wolf is elaborately attired in extravagant clothing embellished in white lacey collars and cuffs, golden buttons and cording, and decorative plumes streaming from his over-sized chocolate brown felt brimmed hat. Little Red Riding Hood appears a bit more common in dress with her patchwork skirt, light blue blouse stitched with a white neck boarder and cuffs, and a simple red hood given as a gift from her grandmother. Grandmother is attired in an ornate creamy colored bonnet and a flouncy pale blue dress with cream lace. The inclusion of two fancily clad hunters in this version is also noteworthy. Spirin’s dramatic illustrations are meticulously rendered in watercolor and colored pencil. Each page of artwork is off set with a stark white background, which brings the eye and reader’s focus back to the central character’s actions with Grandmother’s canopy bed as the primary location for much of the storyline and artwork. Spirin attended both the Moscow Academy of Art and the Moscow Stroganov Institute and has received five gold medals from the society of Illustrators in New York City and the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial.

This version of Little Red Riding Hood has a pleasing ending and is one that young children could repeatedly enjoy while appreciating the expressive illustrative work of Spirin. I would recommend this book for late preschool through mid-elementary. In the classroom, this version is the perfect compliment to a study on cultural influences and varying adaptations on well-known fairy tales. While guiding student’s focus toward illustrations and their impact on picture book story telling through comparing and contrasting collections.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adaptation was based on a Grimms' version which included two hunters but omitted LRRH and her grandmother putting stones in the wolf's belly. The cover art was absolutely gorgeous - I'd love it as a painting - and the rest was true to its 17th century Dutch inspirations. However, there was A LOT of white space on most of the inside pages. That empty space pulled me out of the story because the pictures felt kinda, hmm, fake, sorta posed or something.

Yet the wolf looked super scary in this adaptation. The wolf often took up 90% of the page and proportionality was two times bigger than LRRH. Wolf's face also looked like a real wolf's face: all animal and fierce. Except of course he was dressed like a man of the times LOL. Maybe that bit of silliness was meant to offset his otherwise terrifying appearance and demeanor. I wouldn't buy this one for my collection but it's well worth checking out.

3 stars

[Angela Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Little Red Riding Hood. / Gennady Spirin. / 2010.

Genre: Nonfiction - folklore.

Format: Picturebook - print.

Plot summary:
"A little girl meets a hungry wolf in the forest while on her way to visit her grandmother. Includes a note about the history of the tale" (NoveList).

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
Grimm folktales, fairy tales, wolves, grandmothers, young girls, disguises, rescues

Review citation:
"Spirin places his characters up front on the page against plentiful white space, giving intensity to the unfolding drama. A simply retold and richly illustrated addition" (Barbara Elleman in School Library Journal).

Section source used to find the material:
School Library Journal

Recommended age: Ages 6 to 8.

[Devin Lenzi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very big twist to the original class little red riding hood. The grandma and little red riding hood both get eaten by the wolf and swallowed up but hunters come and drag it outside to cut open the stomach and when they did so grandma and little red riding hood jumped out and continued on.
This edition is very morbid and the drawings are a little to graphic for kids. I would not recommend this book for classrooms.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great basic version of the story. Big hands are added to the wolf parts. No stones are placed in the wolf's belly or fur pelt taken as in other versions but the illustrations are absolutely breathtaking. Highly recommended for Grades 1-3.

[Ashtyn Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely closer to the original story of Little Red Riding Hood, but still incorporates a twist when the wolf gobbles both grandma and Little Red up. I loved that at the end both of them were ok and they were saved. Kids would probably find this super funny!

[Shanice Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this version of Little Red Riding Hood as much as other versions that I have read. I think because this seems to be an older version and it isn't as detailed as ones that I have read recently.

[Meredith Nichols]

This is a good example of a traditional literature book. It is a classic story that most children are familiar with. It is a good make-believe story. It is also a good book to read and talk about the importance of following directions or bad things could happen.

[Tessa Klebaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a girl going to give her sick grandma a basket when she meets a wolf of the way. This book includes Dutch drawings and is focused on the 17th century an older rendition of the story.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a straightforward telling that doesn’t change the classic story. The wolf eats grandma and LRRH, and the hunters split his stomach to rescue them. It neither sanitizes nor traumatizes. And the art is most excellent.

[Hannah Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood. I have always loved this story, however, some of the ways they described it did not feel appropriate for young readers. I would recommend this story for older elementary age.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading a traditional version

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate that Spirin includes an author's note about her adaptation of this classic tale. Her illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!!

[Phillip Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The re-telling of the story is not particularly strong (2) but Gennady Spirin's illustrations are outstanding (5), hence a 4.

[MotherofReaders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard retelling of this classic tale. Nothing stood out in particular to me, negative or positive

[Brianna Wheelock]

I could use this book to Introduce traditional literature. Students can compare other little red riding hood books to this one to see the differences.

[honeybean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Red brings cake instead of bread and wine/butter in this and two huntsman take down the wolf

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Red Riding Hood by Wilhelm Grimm, Jacob Grimm, and Gennady Spirin -- A beautiful version of a classic fairy tale! Happy Reading!

[Liz E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The richly detailed illustrations, strategically set off with white space, makes for a book I enjoy as much as my children.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a faithful rendition of the classic tale, though I could've lived without the wolf being sliced open, however tastefully.

[Angela Galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a traditional tale loved by many. The story is of a young girl who always wore a red hood. Her nickname was Red Riding Hood. Red Riding Hood's mother tells her to go take cake to her grandmother, who is ill. Red Riding Hood encounters a sly wolf on the way to grandmother's house. The wolf is cunning and asks Red Riding Hood about her trip and where her grandmother lives. Red Riding, as polite as she was, answered the wolf. The wolf ran ahead and found grandmother's house. The wolf pretended to be Red Riding Hood and went into grandmother's house. The wolf swallowed the grandmother whole. The wolf disguised himself in grandmother's clothing. When Red came she did not realize right away it was the wolf not the grandmother in bed. In the end the wolf swallows Red Riding Hood also. The woodcutter realizes that the wolf has eaten them up and cuts open his stomach. The story has a leading climax that many children adore. The anticipation in the story line is intense. I resonated with the beautiful illustrations. The pictures are dutch style painting capturing the essence and the old world charm. I think students would be drawn to the rising climax and the moral of the story. Red Riding Hood trusted a cunning stranger who appears to be nice, but really was looking for a tasty meal. Also about obedience. Red was told not to leave the path or talk to anyone.

[L12_luisespinoza Espinoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book translated and illustrated by Gennady Spirin provides not only a great visual perspective of the well-known tale, but also some minor changes that provide an interesting divergence from the traditional story.

The story tells of Little Red Riding Hood (pictured in the book dressed in what looks to be Dutch-inspired clothing and a red hood) who is told by her mother to take a piece of cake, tucked in a basket, to her sick grandmother. Along the way, she runs into a wolf who is lavishly dressed and seems to be disproportionately bigger than Little Red Riding Hood. The story contains some of the more traditional parts of the story such as "Oh Grandmother, what big ears you have". However, Spirin takes the liberty to make a few changes to other parts such as the story having two huntsmen (instead of one) and not including the part at the end of the story where the huntsmen stitch up the wolf's tummy after they put rocks in it after which the wolf tries to escape but is dragged down by all the rocks in his tummy and drops dead. I found this deviation from the original tale to be somewhat refreshing and a nice change to the tale.

This style of book (with its extravagant and elegant watercolors and unique perspectives) would fit well with a 1st-2nd grade elementary classroom. I really enjoyed this book and it's deliberate diversions from the original tale.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Summary: The traditional Brothers Grimm tale, Little Red Riding Hood, is retold with beautiful Dutch paintings inspired by the Renaissance.

Critique:
a. The unique Illustrations
b. This is the first book I have read that had illustrations like this one. I found myself stopping on every page to look at the detailed pictures. The style used creates a unique setting that connects with the 17th century, giving the classic tale a new look.
c. With the he clothes that the characters are dressed in and the setting that is shown, the reader cant help but be reminded of the renaissance period. Sprirn also uses many dark colors, which portray a darker tone. On page 9 and 10, the wolf is centered in elegant clothes while looking down on the grandmother in her immaculate bed. Children would enjoy seeing a setting like this one because it is so different.

Curriculum Connection:
I would use this book in my classroom because I just love the illustrations. Man students already know this classic tale but I would love to see what they think of the illustrations. It would be great to have a class discussion and find out when and where they think this version takes place.

[Abbey Reeser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spirin, G. (2010). Little Red Riding Hood. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.

When grandmother fell ill, Little Red Riding Hood’s mother sent her to deliver a cake. Mother advised her to not leave the path, but a wolf passing by suggested she pick some flowers for her grandmother so she did. In the meantime the wolf rushed to her grandmother’s house to eat her. When Little Red arrived the wolf tricked her into thinking he was her grandmother, then he ate her too. Hunters nearby heard the wolf and once they saw his belly they knew he had eaten someone. They cut open his belly rescuing them both. They lived happily ever after!

This was adapted from the Brothers Grimm; the illustrations were beautiful with Dutch flare. The story is great for storytelling but some of the pictures and phrases in the story may be a bit much for younger children. I think this story would scare them more then entice them, even with a happy ending. I would likely read this story to or let a child who is around the age of 8 or 9 read this story on their own but personally I would not read this version to anyone younger than that.

[Jerrica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just by looking at the cover, you can tell that this book was created years ago. It looks very antique-like, especially Little Red's face. The flowers that Little Red is holding foreshadows on what is going to happen in the story. As you open the book, I realized that the end pages were red hence the title of the book. When I started to read on, I noticed the font of the "O" in once upon a time. It looks somewhat old school-ish to me if i say so myself.
Another thing I found out of date are the illustrations inside of the book, which matched the cover. In some of the pages, the text is located in a frame while in other pages it's not. Before the wolf changed into Little Red's grandmother's clothes, the wolf was dressed up in a folktale type costume. I found it strange because from other versions of the Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf didn't wear any clothing. Same old ending, Little red Riding Hood learned to listen to her mother by not talking to strangers and to mind her business.

[Naomi Lazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this classic retelling of the beloved story of Little Red Riding Hood, a young girl in a red cap takes a cake to her sick grandmother and on the way she met a wolf who she unwillingly gives her grandmother's location.

This book had gorgeous illustrations that captured all of the magical and memorable moments and characters in the story in lavish watercolors, especially when Little Red Riding Hood was commenting on all of her "granny's" features.
The story has a good moral to it, which is always listen to your mother, never talk to strangers, and never stray from your path. The fact that Little Red Riding Hood gave her grandmother's location to a wolf and trusted the wolf was not very smart of her. She is an easily impressionable character that will tell any person, or in this case, animal, that she meets, private information just because they're a nice person, which is not a very redeeming quality to have.

[Michelle Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Gennady Spirin’s version of Little Red Riding Hood is very similar to the classic tale by The Brothers Grimm. This version of the story has beautiful Dutch-inspired illustrations and an ending that is a little less gruesome than the original version of the story. This book could be used in the classroom to teach about writing conventions and would be appropriate for younger readers.

Genre: Traditional literature, picture books

Classroom Use: There are a lot of repeated lines in this story which would make it a fun book to read aloud to students.

Writing traits: I would use this to teach students about conventions because there are a lot of different types of punctuation that a teacher can go over with students. Another trait that I might use this book for is organization because I like the way the text is organized on each page with the illustrations.

Grade Level: 1st-3rd grade