When the wolf arrives at the cottage, the illustration shows an elderly woman sitting up in her bed, the wolf up on his hind legs, preparing to open the latch on the door. This foray leaves the wolf an opening to precede Little Red’s arrival at her grandmother’s house, with a view to devouring her. As Little Red sees the flowers (in addition to a black cat which only the reader might mark as an ominous portent), she resolves to stop and pick a few, determined that she has plenty of time for the journey before her. Hyman’s beautiful illustrations feature the butterflies, sunlight, and various woodland creatures that the text describes. He resumes walking with her, while making pleasant conversation. He plans to trick Little Red, but does not explain how. In a monologue to himself, the wolf enthusiastically admits his intentions to eat both Little Red and her grandmother. At this point, the illustrated wolf sits up on his hind legs and puts his hands on her shoulders. He asks Little Red where she is going, and she, in an explanation detailed and forthcoming as befits a child of her age, tells him that she is going to visit her sick grandmother. The illustrated wolf is expressive and wizened. Hyman’s illustration features an attractive, statuesque woman preparing a basket and looking pedantically at her very small daughter.Īs Little Red walks farther into the woods, she meets a “nice, sly, hungry old wolf,” (who towers over Little Red, with her cape over her head). The grandmother lives in a cottage about half-an-hour’s walk, but Little Red, well acquainted with the journey, is not afraid to go by herself. Little Red’s mother gives her specific instructions not to run, daydream, stay too long, and to use good manners in her grandmother’s presence. From that point forward, Elisabeth wears only her red cloak, and is thenceforward called “Little Red.” Little Red is tasked to take fresh bread, sweet butter, and a bottle of wine to her grandmother, who is sick in bed. The protagonist is introduced as Elisabeth, beloved by her grandmother, who gives her a red velvet cloak that she loves for her birthday. Elisabeth lives with her mother on the edge of the village. The story begins with an image of Little Red reading a book on a porch (subtly suggesting a story-within-story). Her version of Little Red Riding Hood features ornate, full-color ink drawings befitting a traditional fairy tale. She is a critically acclaimed illustrator who specializes in the re-telling of popular fables from writers such as the Brothers Grimm and Edmund Spenser. Hyman has won awards for her illustrated version of Saint George and the Dragon (1984) as well as the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for King Stork (1973). The book was published in 1983 (by Holiday House) and was a Caldecott Medal nominee for best illustrated children’s book. American illustrator Trina Schart Hyman is author and illustrator of a beautiful and unique re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood.

Little Red Riding Hood by Julie Mannino