Red Riding Hood: Retold in verse for boys and girls to read themselves

by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Edward Gorey (Illustrator)

book

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Folklore, Poetry, Childrens, Fiction

42 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers earned a M.Ed from the University of Chicago in 1941. Her first book, The Giant Story, was published in 1953.

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers also wrote under the pseudonym Tamara Kitt.

Reviews

[Mir]

What is even better than Gorey illustrations? Gorey with red highlights!

Actually this wasn't Gorey at his best -- I was a little surprised it wasn't darker -- but I still enjoyed it. The rhyming text was very faithful to the original Grimm version, but fun and sly. It was sometimes a bit awkward, feeling as if it had been translated from another language, but there was no note to that effect.

[Melki]

The retelling of this age old fairy tale is really nothing special, but, hey - you can't beat illustrations by Edward Gorey!




"Oh, Grandma! What big teeth you have!"

And, we all know what happens next!

[Mandy E]

Of course I love Gorey's illustrations, as always, but it was de Regniers delightful verse (which ought to be read in grand dramatic style, I feel) that really captivated both me and the twins.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

This version is in rhyme - it takes a bit of practice to get the rhythms right. As one might expect, Gorey's illustrations are superb.

[Abigail]

American author/illustrator team Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and Edward Gorey retell the classic fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm in this picture book from 1972. The rhyming text—two stanzas per page—follows Red Riding Hood as she is dispatched to visit her sick grandmother, encounters the wolf in the forest, stops to pick flowers at his suggestion, and then finally comes to her elderly relative's cottage, now inhabited by her lupine enemy. Consumed herself, our little heroine and her grandmother are rescued by a hunter, and the wolf punished...

Having grown up absolutely adoring another fairy-tale illustrated by Gorey, in the form of Edith Tarcov's retelling of Rumpelstiltskin , I have long meant to seek out this title, convinced that it too would become a favorite. Unfortunately, despite my high rating, that is not to be. I enjoyed the artwork here greatly—one has but to see Gorey's illustrations to recognize them—and appreciated the vivid red accents, so appropriate for this specific story. That said, while the telling here is faithful to the original, the text itself left me cold. Somehow, I just can't warm to de Regniers' verse, which I find awkward and frustrating. My favorite book from her, textually, is her David and Goliath , which is told in prose. I'm glad to have read this one, and I didn't despise the text, but without the artwork this would have been a three-star title for me. Recommended primarily to Edward Gorey fans. Those seeking picture book versions of this tale can do far better, from a textual and storytelling perspective.

[Ernie]

clean, crisp retelling in unstuffy verse. Edward Gorey's 21 illustrations prompted the purchase. they are conscientiously atmospheric. you feel his sympathies are with the wolf, a tragic hero, muscular, very black, with a doberman's snout, pretty good-natured, not scary. all violence is left to the reader's imagination. original ending, which strains belief, which is as it should be.

[Jessie Drew]

This book scared me! Gorey’s drawings were not gruesome, but the combination of the rhyming and the beauty of his designs and color choices elicited a cold sensation.

[Macy Davis]

Read for CHL 403 - Fall 2020

[Chelsea Counsell]

The rhyme scheme in this book is an affront to rhythm and meter. I am scandalized.

[Amber]

One thing about this book that made it an interesting read was that it was told in verse. I think this made it more enjoyable and would probably make it easier for children to read as well. As far as the story, I had never heard the story of Red Riding Hood told in that way. I liked this version of it, even though it was not the version I was used to. I think that is another reason I enjoyed it more, since it was not something that I was used to.

[Cheryl]

Illustrated with lovely, monochromatic illustrations by Edward Gorey (beige and red), the book has a nostalgic feel. I couldn't help reading it with a rap intonation, though, lending it a more contemporary edge. I do have trouble with this version of the wolf's comeuppance (probably more true to the original Grimm's version) and prefer a more gentle conclusion.

[Jordan Williams]

I have always read this story growing up. I have heard many different versions. However, I do not feel comfortable reading this to children. this aversion had a hunter CUT grandma out of the wolf, then he cut the wolf open and stuck a boulder inside him. I am not familiar with this version and I am not sure I even enjoyed it. Not recommended for young children, or anybody for that matter.

[Edmund Davis-Quinn]

Don't remember this more grisly version closer to the Grimm brothers.

Solid story, I do like Edward Gorey's drawings.

This is a story very often retold.

[Saffron Moon]

This rating is for the edition retold by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and illustrated by Edward Gorey.