And now for a read aloud of Red Riding Hood Retold and illustrated by James Marshall
A long time ago in a simple cottage beside the deep, dark woods, there lived a pretty
child called Red Riding Hood.
She was kind and considerate, and everybody loved her.
One afternoon Red Riding Hood’s mother called to her.
“Granny isn’t feeling up to snuff today.”
She said, “so I’ve baked her favorite custard as a little surprise.
Be a good girl and take it to her, will you?”
Red Riding Hood was delighted.
She loved going to Granny’s —- even though it meant crossing the deep, dark woods.
When the custard was cooled, Red Riding Hood’s mother wrapped it up and put it in a basket.
“Now, whatever you do,” she said, “go straight to Granny’s, do not tarry, do not
speak to any strangers.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Red Riding Hood.
Before long she was in the deepest part of the woods, “Oooh,” she said.
“This is scary.”
Suddenly a large wolf appeared.
“Good afternoon, my dear.”
He said.
“Care to stop for a little chat?”
“Oh, gracious me,” said Red Riding Hood.
“Mama said not to speak to any strangers.”
But the wolf had such charming manners.
“And where are you going, sweet thing?”
He said.
“I’m on my way to visit Granny, who lives in the pretty yellow house on the other side
of the woods,” said Red Riding Hood.
“She’s feeling poorly, and I’m taking her a surprise.”
“You don’t say, “ said the wolf.
Just then he had a delightful idea.
No reason why I can’t eat them both, he thought.
“Allow me to escort you,” he said.
“You never know what might be lurking about.”
“You’re too kind,” said Red Riding Hood.
Beyond the forest they came to a patch of sunflowers.
“Why not pick a few?”
Suggested the wolf.
“Grannies love flowers, you know.”
But while Red Riding Hood was picking a pretty bouquet, the clever wolf hurried on ahead
to Granny’s house.
“Who is it?”
Called out Granny.
“It is I, your delicious — er— darling grand daughter.”
Said the wolf in a high pitched voice.
“The door is unlocked.”
Said Granny.
“Surprise!”
Cried the wolf.
Granny was furious at having her reading interrupted.
“Get out of here, you horrid thing!”
She cried.
But the wolf gobbled her right up.
He didn’t even bother to chew.
“Tasty,” he said, patting his belly, “so tasty.”
Just then he heard footsteps on the garden path.
“Here comes dessert!”
And losing no time, he put on Granny’s cap and glasses, jumped into bed, and pulled up
the covers.
“Who is it?”
He called out in his sweetest granny voice.
“It is I, your little granddaughter.”
Said Red Riding Hood.
“The door is unlocked.”
Said the wolf.
Red Riding Hood was distressed at seeing her grandmother so changed.
“Why, Granny,” she said, “what big eyes you have.”
“The better to see you, my dear,” said the wolf.
“And Granny, what long arms you have.”
“The better to hug you, my dear,” said the wolf.
“And Granny, what big teeth you have.”
“THE BETTER TO EAT YOU, MY DEAR!”
Cried the wolf.
And he gobbled her right up.
“I’m so wicked,” he said, “So wicked.”
But really he was enormously pleased with himself.
And having enjoyed such a heavy meal, he was soon snoring away.
A hunter passing by was alarmed by the frightful racket.
“That doesn’t sound like Granny!”
He said.
And so the brave hunter jumped in the window, killed the sleeping wolf, and cut him open.
Out jumped Granny and Red Riding Hood.
“We’re ever so grateful,” said Red Riding Hood.
“That wicked wolf won’t trouble you again,” said the hunter.
“It was so dark in there I couldn’t read a word,” said Granny.
Red Riding Hood promised never, ever to speak to another stranger, charming manners or not.
And she never did.
The End.
That was Red Riding Hood.
Retold and Illustrated by James Marshall