Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf

Written by Troy Wilson

Illustrated by Ilaria Campana

Running Press Kids

978-0-7624-9266-4

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

July 2019

Readers know that you can find all the answers you need in books and Little Red Reading Hood, who loves red and reading, proves that books are also the means for surviving life and making friends.

From Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf by Troy Wilson, illus. by Ilaria Campana

When little Red learns that her grandmother, who'd sewn her a special hood embellished with letters and books, is ill, the child makes a special treat for her and heads off to deliver it. Along the way she meets a wolf and, following the directions in books, she maintains eye contact and backs away slowly before distracting it with hand movements and throwing rocks. Though he'd tried to tell her he just wanted...something, he slinks off dejected. But at her grandmother's house, she finds the wolf already there and in disguise, lounging in bed. Red's books had already taught her "what to do if you encounter a wolf dressed as a grandparent" and she proceeds to point out his large features. The wolf goes along with her until he becomes frustrated and lunges for her basket as she runs out.

From Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf by Troy Wilson, illus. by Ilaria Campana

The smell that had so entranced him? The smell of a new book. He begs her to read to him. But Red is perplexed. None of her books had told her "What to do if a wolf sniffs the book you made for Grandma, asks you to read it, and doesn't once try to eat you." When he finally helps Grandma from the armoire and Red is preparing to read to both of them, the woodsman arrives with his axe held high. After Grandma shelters the cowering wolf and Red explains, the group settle at Grandma's bed to share the book Red had brought.

In this twisted fairy tale, Troy Wilson extols the wisdom to be found in books while also recognizing that we often judge–wolves, people, books–on their outward appearances. Sure the wolf looks large and menacing but he is but a lover of books–don't we all love that new book smell?!–and of having someone read to him.  Fortunately, little Red reads the situation well before the wolf is hurt and in turn learns a lesson about not jumping to judgements.

From Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf by Troy Wilson, illus. by Ilaria Campana

I love a good fractured fairy tale, one that takes a popular fairy tale and turns it on its head. Victoria's Troy Wilson takes the story of Little Red Riding Hood and reshapes it to emphasize the importance of reading and a love of books with a caveat that "you can't judge a book by its cover." He plays up the fun and leaves the darkness of the original tale behind. Similarly, the artwork by Italy's Ilaria Campana attends to some of the original story with the dark woods through which Red travels, the size of the wolf and more while lightening it with the dramatic expressions and uniquely shaped bodies of her characters, the homey indoor settings, and even a ubiquitous little robin.

Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf removes the darkness that is prevalent in so many cautionary tales of yore and heralds fierce women, compassionate understanding and caution to stereotyping. Books can teach everything and anything, can't they?