BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Hyman, T. S., Grimm, J., Grimm, W., Grimm, J., & Holiday House (Firm). (1983). Little Red Riding Hood. ISBN 9780823404704 

PLOT  

Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She’s all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path. With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved, and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

This version of Little Red Riding Hood is one that is closely related to the Brothers Grimm version. In the story we learn the history of how Elizabeth came to be called Little Red Riding Hood. In so many of the newer versions we read today we do not know how she got this nickname. The talk continues to tell us the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood walking to Grandmother’s house to deliver a basket of goodies because Grandmother has been sick. In Hyman’s retelling of the folk tale the wolf eats Grandmother and subsequently eats Little Red Riding Hood as well. We  learn of these characters being eaten no by any of the illustrations, but by text only. For young children this might be disturbing that a grandmother and a little girl are eaten by a wolf. Luckily, a kind woodsman is walking along and senses danger. He comes to save the day by cutting Grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood out of the wolf’s stomach. Again, no gory details here. 

Hyman is an outstanding illustrator and she loves to retell and illustrate popular fables and fairy tales. Her version of Little Red Riding Hood is similar to Jan Brett in that she draws panes around the main illustration that tell the reader so much more about the story. Her illustrations are very ornate and beautiful.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

ALA Notable Books for Children, 1984. 
Caldecott Honor Book, 1984. 
Golden Kite Award, 1983. 

“A book that revitalizes the story and that will satisfy both children and adults.”—Booklist   
 
“Hyman is a story artist.”—American Library Association 

 
“The book is aesthetically a visual feast.”—Language Arts 
 
“The pictures are loaded with details to entrance the eye and the characters are portrayed with warmth and charm.”—Childhood Education 
 

CONNECTIONS 

Gather other versions of Little Red Riding Hood and compare. 

Discussion about following rules.  

Triumph over evil. Good prevails.