The Little Red Hen

PreS-Gr 2—This new version of the cautionary folktale features captivating, meticulous cut-paper and collage illustrations that have a three-dimensional quality and gracefully depict the changing seasons. The detailed artwork is brightly colored and shows the hardworking hen along with her inconsiderate, carefree companions, a rooster and a mouse. Though she asks every time if anyone will help, the hen does all the work from planting to watering to harvesting, etc., while her two housemates selfishly think only of playing together. When the time comes to enjoy the delicious warm loaf of bread, the little red hen eats her bounty all by herself. The next time the hen finds a grain of wheat, both her partners, having learned their lesson, assist with all the work it takes to make a loaf of bread from start to finish. A spread of the six steps involved in "How to make your bread" follows the story. Children and adults will appreciate this edition of the literal and figurative age-old adage "You reap what you sow." —Maryann H. Owen, Children's Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI