School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3 This irresistible retelling of the familiar tale will rank high in popular appeal while still maintaining the integrity of the Grimm Brothers' version, with both Grandma and Red Riding Hood eaten and later rescued by a hunter. Through simple words and a restrained use of line in the art, Marshall masterfully imbues his characters with humorous personality traits. The heroine is a considerate, bouncy sort of kid; Grandma, an avid reader, is feisty; and the wolf, a charming villain, is just a bit guilty about his behaviorafter his second meal he admits, ``I'm so wicked. . .so wicked.'' With just a flick of the whiskers even Grandma's heavy-set feline looks both outraged and scared. The cartoon styled ink and watercolor illustrations play harmoniously along with the spare story, and as the drama heightens viewers are treated to fresh perspectives and enticing peeks into Grandma's bedroom. Cheery colors predominate, with a judicious use of black effectively conveying tense moments. Throughout, comic touches are understated (a box of empty imported after-dinner mints lay discretely beside the snoring wolf). A marvelous offering that begs to be added to everyone's storytelling repertoire. Caroline Ward, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
``Granny isn't feeling up to snuff today,'' so Red Riding Hood is on her way to the other side of the woods. The well-mannered wolf has a charming straw hat; he takes the trusting little girl by the hand. ``Surprise!'' he cries upon entering granny's chambers. And with the gusto of an uninvited guest, he gobbles her up, with dreams of the ``dessert'' ahead. After-dinner mints and a siesta follow, but the brave hunter arrives at an inconvenient moment and spoils the wolf's fun. This is a fresh retelling that invigorates the spirit of the classic tale without wreaking havoc with its fundamental structure. Marshall's Red Riding Hood is irresistibly vulnerable. An utterly funny version in which the lesson obviously has been learned: a final shot shows Red declining the kind offer of another friendly carnivore. Ages 4-8. (September) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
A thoroughly modern, thoroughly charming retelling of the old favorite. Marshall's text is simple and colloquial, without falling into the jarring coyness that often besets contemporary renditions. Witty and direct, it adheres to the traditional plot: both Granny and child are swallowed, then rescued intact by the hunter who kills the wolf. The ink and watercolor paintings are humorous, vigorous, and beautifully designed. Bold enough to share with a group, they include entrancing details: an unusual number of cats, the rustic bridge that bedecks the title page, the wolf hidden in the dramatically dark forest, Granny's monumental stack of bedtime reading. (Her complaint upon release will endear this edition to librarians forever.) A perfect union of felicitously chosen words (this could find additional use as an easy reader), a real story, tried and true, and illustrations in a popular style that also meets a high aesthetic standard. Bravo! Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Ages 4-7. Marshall's version of this familiar story is characterized by droll humor that's found in both the illustrations and the text. His broad-faced, homely Red Riding Hood and his nefarious wolf appear as comic figures, even as the wolf's evil doings get under way. Even Granny, whom we see only briefly before the wolf devours her, seems the sort of crotchety fussbudget who won't come to serious harm. In this version, the wolf eats both Granny and Red Riding Hood but is caught by a hunter who overhears him snoring after his meal and observes, ``That doesn't sound like Granny!'' The pictures, line and watercolor drawings, play up the artist's preference for sly humor. They are visually dramatic as well, as their compositions instantly focus the eye on the pertinent action. The picture of the satiated wolf lounging on Granny's wing chair is particularly funny. When comedy is the folklore preference, this story will go down easily. DMW. 398.2'1 Fairy tales / Folklore Germany [CIP] 86-16722
