Revisioning Red Riding Hood Around the World: An Anthology of International Retellings

The collection is comprised of 52 diverse, mostly contemporary retellings in poetry and prose from 24 countries; the oldest published in 1908, the most recent in 2011. The helpful introduction presents the rationale for thematic groupings. The majority of the entries are picture books and some vivid black-and-white or color illustrations from the works are included. The art is as varied as the tales. Detailed descriptions explain how the illustrations extend the text and add nuance to the story. Each entry is prefaced by information about the author and illustrator's work in general and the piece in particular. These prefatory remarks are academic but accessible to older teens. The language of the tales is rich with cultural, historical, and political references. The traditional characters are often imaginatively recast. In the tragic "Little Red Riding Hood" by Japanese writer Iwasaki, the setting is World War II, the head covering is a disaster hood and the crime is committed not by a wolf, but by hungry humans. The wolf is a werewolf in the humorous Czech tale by Mikula and a lover in the Peruvian verse by Chicano in "Wolf in Love." In a disturbingly sexual retelling "Mina, I Love You" by Joiret, Red Riding Hood is portrayed as teenage seductress and she-wolf. In the poem "My Wolf" by Bertier she is a girl in love, and in the cautionary poem by Claude Clement "A Little Red Riding Hood," she survives the encounter but is left psychologically damaged. Many of the stories are meant for adults and include violent or sexual content. Others are fractured variants such as "Little Red Cap Another Way" by Pongrasic, which will be enjoyed by teens. Some of the tales are fun for all ages. Art and English teachers will find the work useful. Recommended for large public libraries and high schools.—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, VA