Want to read a fairy tale from another country? Or even a fairy tale retelling? Try Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young. Kindergarteners through third-graders will be intrigued by the three sisters who save themselves from the big, bad wolf.
In this book, there are familiar tropes from the original Red Riding Hood tale: an innocent child, a fake grandmother, and a wolf intending to devour the child. But instead of the child going to Grandmother’s house, it’s the mother who goes to see Grandmother—or Po Po—and leaves her three daughters at home. I guess the mother thinks that as long as the children keep the door locked, they’ll be safe. But at that opportune moment, the wolf creeps up to the house and tricks the sisters into thinking he’s their grandmother. In the nick of time, though, the eldest sees his true identity and, with her quick wits, sets a trap for him, involving a towering tree, a story about gingko nuts, and a rope. The younger siblings catch on and join her in deceiving the wolf, and he falls for the trap and dies.
The story twists another Red Riding Hood trope. Do the children say, “Grandmother, what big eyes you have”? Not exactly. They comment on the wolf’s bushy tail, sharp claws, and low voice. The wolf says the tail and claws are only hemp strings and an awl to make presents for the young ones. As for his voice, he says he has a cold, of course.
The colors in the illustrations capture the mood of the events. In the house, as the wolf visits, the darkness captures the mystery and terror of the children’s situation, especially in a couple of pages where the beast’s shadow stretches across the wall. In other pages, the wolf’s eyes are whitened, and the teeth are sharp, accentuating his fierce villainy. However, as the sisters overpower the wolf, the vegetation has a vibrant green, and the sky contains pinks and yellows, radiating with hope for the heroines’ freedom and safety.
Animal lovers might be sad that the wolf dies, but as they see how dangerous he is, they’ll appreciate why the protagonists must kill him. Also, it’s wonderful to see kids—especially siblings—work together to protect each other. So, read this book with your family, and see if they can recognize similarities to and differences from the original Red Riding Hood story.
This Caldecott Medal-winning, classic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most celebrated picture books of our time.
With characteristic flair and energy, award-winning artist Ed Young illustrates the ancient Chinese version of the favorite fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. Young’s vibrant, yet delicate, pastels and watercolors add drama to the deftly translated story.
