Little Red Riding Hood

Jerry Pinkney's Little Red Riding Hood is a snowy, gently told version of the classic fairy tale for 5 year olds, with a wolf who's sly right to the end.

What happens

Mother has made chicken soup and raisin muffins for poorly Grandmother. "Be certain to go straight there," she says. Of course, Little Red Riding Hood doesn't. A very polite wolf suggests she gathers twigs for Grandmother's fire (how thoughtful!), then slips off to the cottage ahead of her.

The fun is in reading it aloud. There's the crunch, crunch of snow, the tap, tap at the door and that famous line of questions at the bedside. What great arms you have! What great ears! Little ones love joining in, and the wolf's last answer has EAT in capital letters.

It's worth knowing this is the traditional ending. The wolf swallows Grandmother whole, then the girl too. A woodcutter kills him with his axe and cuts them both out with sewing shears, safe and sound. It's told calmly, but with a sensitive child you might read it together the first time.

What to read next

If they enjoy this one, try Little Red: A Favourite Tale with a Twist next. This time Little Red is a boy called Thomas, with a very clever ginger-beer idea.