OUP. ISBN 978019276774-5 £11.99
The stark black, white and red cover leaves us in no doubt that this is yet another version of Little Red Riding Hood. Who would have thought there could still be ways of using this traditional tale? Well, Marie Voigt has succeeded in bringing young Red right up to date. Walking with her dog from her home to Grandma’s house on the other side of the city, there are wolves in disguise all along the way. She doesn’t notice them, but we can spot their tell-tale outlines. The people in the city are also oblivious, being too wrapped up with their mobile phones and the distractions of city life. It’s not long before Red too is tempted away from her path until she is lost, and swallowed up not by the wolf but by the city itself. Thank goodness for her little dog, who’s been trying to keep her on the right path all along and now comes to her rescue so that, finally, the pair arrives at Grandma’s house.
This book is a classic case of deceptive simplicity. Skim over the words and you will lose most of the truth of the tale; take your time, relate the words to the illustrations and you will find more than would at first appear, giving much to think and talk about. Age range 3 – 6
Pam Dowson