Following a Favorite Folk Tale (FAMILY magazine reviews)

 

Explore new variations of a century old (or more) folk tale that has been charming children and their families for generations. “The Little Red Hen” is an enchanting and well-known tale with possibilities for new perspectives. Try these. You can probably come up with a completely new and different version of your own. Have fun!

 

The Little Green Hen by Alison Murray

This irresistible picture book is a playful, environmentally focused variant of The Little Red Hen. In a retelling with a twist, the story portrays the green hen as careful caretaker of a beautifully fruitful apple tree. “She pruned the dead branches. She kept the pests under control, and she sowed the apple seeds, so more trees and more apples would grow.”

            But once the seedlings sprouted, the Hen needed help. The peacock, the fox, and the fat ginger cat decline. However, different from the original version, the dog (who loves sticks), the teensy brown sparrow (who is partial to pesky bugs), and the squirrel (who buries things where no one can find them) all agree to help. In gratitude, the orchard is bountifully productive through spring, summer and fall.

Then comes the rain. The hen and her friends are safe together in the hollow trunk. The peacock, the fox and the cat, however, drift across the floodwater on a log together, until they see the apple tree.

Bright digital illustrations fill the pages with colorful scenes, expressive faces and hopefulness. Together, the text and accompanying pictures demonstrate the effect of the flood and the cleanup necessary. This time when the hen asks for help, the enthusiasm includes everyone, and the results bring comfort and contentment for all.

Candlewick Press, $16.99

Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Kindergarten

Manana Iguana

by Ann Whitford Paul

Illustrated by Ethan Long

            In this Southwestern conception of “The Little Red Hen,” Iguana wants to celebrate spring with a fiesta on Saturday/sabado. Her friends in this tale, which uses both English and Spanish language words to tell the story, are delighted about the party, but not too interested in helping to get ready. Conejo/Rabbit does things too fast and would spoil them, Tortuga/Tortoise believes he’s too slow, and Culebra/Snake says he’ll help. . . manana, when he grows some arms. 

            Iguana ends up writing the invitations and delivering them, stuffing the piñata, cooking the food, and hanging the streamers to decorate, all by herself. When sabado arrives, Coneja, Tortuga, and Culebra are excited to welcome the guests. But by then Iguana whips her tail, “NO!” She is grouchy, having made all the preparations by herself! “Now I …will greet my guests at my fiesta,” she tells them. And she does.

            The three non-helpers watch from the sidelines as the guests party with Iguana, laughing, eating, breaking the piñata, and having a generally terrific time at the fiesta.

            The watercolor and gouache illustrations are comic strip funny, with zany expressive large eyes, colorful southwestern colors and plenty of white space to highlight the action.

            When the guests are gone, an exhausted Iguana goes to sleep. In a change of heart, the previously unwilling friends decide to surprise her by cleaning up the mess. When Iguana wakes to see the results, she thanks the three and invites them to help her “eat the leftovers.” An inclusive conclusion to this satisfying tale.

           

Holiday House, $7.99 (paperback)

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3

The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, illustrations by Sonia Sanchez

            Beginning with Ruby’s ideas and a pile of boards she found, she asks her three brothers to help her build. They are dismissive, “You don’t know how to build anything.”

            I’ll learn, she tells them. “And she did.” Just like the Little Red Hen.

            When she asks for help drawing the plans, they all laugh. “‘Not me,’ said Oscar Lee. ‘I don’t think so,’ said Rodrigo. ‘No way,’ said Jose.” The response is the same when she asks for help to gather supplies, cut the boards and hammer the nails.

Then, when she asks who wants to play in the fort she has built, with assistance from her mother and grandmother, all three boys are eager and no longer busy. “Not so fast,” says Ruby.

            Dynamic artwork uses recycled paper, gouache, charcoal pencil, pen and both traditional and digital brushes, to capture the female energy, creativity and go-getter positivity of this small Latina. While the brothers use their energy for ignoring, Ruby stays with it and the bright colors of her success remind her brothers that despite saying “We didn’t want to play anyway,” they really did want to play.

            Whispering together, they decide to get to work: Oscar Lee makes a mailbox, Rodrigo plants flowers, and Jose paints the fort fire engine red. Delighted, Ruby invites them for cookies.

            The rhythm and rhyme of the familiar and repeated lines from the classic tale match the color and movement of the illustrations perfectly to create this humorous and gender-bending story of changing stereotypes. (Fort building ideas and an Author’s Note are included at the end.)

Scholastic, $17.99 (hardcover) $4.99 (paperback in Spanish – El fuertecito rojo)

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3