The story of Little Red Riding Hood has been a staple in homes and classrooms for decades. But, did you know that many authors have adapted the story? Some books represent different cultures from around the world, while others just put a humorous twist on the original. Whether you’re reading these stories to compare and contrast or just for fun, here are some of my favorite versions of Little Red Riding Hood.
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VERSIONS OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red likes to play by the rules. So when the narrator comes along and asks her to follow the story set out in her fairy tale, she grabs the basket for Grandma and goes. After all, she loves her grandma. But unfortunately, none of the other characters are quite what they’re expecting.…
As Little Red attempts to follow the narrator’s directions (which, frankly, seem kind of dangerous!), she is beset by fill-in characters, confusing instructions, and even a fierce battle! Will Little Red ever make it to Grandma’s house? And who will she find when she gets there?
Federico and the Wolf
With his red hoodie on and his bicycle basket full of food, Federico is ready to visit Abuelo. But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo. Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever—and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood sets off to bring a basket of fruit to her grandmother. On her way, Little Red meets a wolf. When Little Red arrives at Grandma’s house, there’s someone hairy and very scary waiting in Grandma’s bed! Will Little Red be breakfast for the big, bad wolf?
Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!
You think you know the story of “Little Red Riding Hood”? THINK AGAIN! This retelling of the classic story, told from the wolf’s perspective, will give you a fresh spin on this famous tale. Was the wolf just really hungry for apples? Was Little Red Riding Hood rotten? This fun fractured tale will leave you with a whole new understanding of the classic story.
Lon Po Po
Three young sisters; Shang, Tao and Paotze are left alone while their mother ventures off to visit their grandmother on her birthday. While the mother is away, a wolf, disguised as the grandmother tries to convince the sisters to let him into the house. The girls allow the wolf to enter their house. After the sisters climb into bed with the wolf, they become suspicious that it is not their grandmother. Will the sisters realize the truth before it’s too late?
Little Red Writing
In this hilarious retelling, a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000), and saves the day.
Little Red Gliding Hood
A figure-skating enthusiast, Little Red has worn out her skates and must win a pairs competition to earn new ones. But who will be her partner? The Dish is already skating with the Spoon, and Hansel has Gretel. You won’t believe what big eyes, sharp teeth, and furry paws her partner has . . . all the better to spin her with!
Ninja Red Riding Hood
Wolf just can’t catch a break! Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja skills, huffing and puffing just hasn’t been enough to scare up a good meal. His craving for meat sends Wolf to classes at the dojo, and soon he’s ready to try out his new moves. A little girl and her tiny granny should be easy targets—right? Not if Little Red has anything to say about it! Kiya!
Red Riding Hood
Red Riding Hood walks through the scary forest to get to her grandmother’s house and meets a hungry wolf. But the heroism of a hunter saves the little girl and Grandma from the wolf’s clutches.
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion
Little Red is on her way to visit Auntie Rosie with a basket of goodies and some spot medicine. Along the way she meets the Very Hungry Lion. The Lion is eager to gobble up Little Red. The Lion’s plan doesn’t work out the way he wanted.
Little Red Riding Sheep
Arnold is an eager young sheep who is excited to be in his very first book. No problem-o! Except he’s a bit big and fluffy to play Little Red Riding Hood, and he’s a tiny bit scared of the deep dark woods. Oh, and he has a friend who would be just perfect as Granny…perhaps the author wouldn’t mind a few suggestions?
Red
Red is on her way through the woods to visit Grandmother when she meets the Big Bad Wolf. What are that Wolf and all of those woodland creatures up to? This wordless version of the classic folktale ends a bit differently.
Little Red
On her way to Grandma’s house, Little Red meets a wolf. That might scare some little girls, but not this little girl. She knows just what the wolf is up to, and she’s not going to let him get away with it.
Little Red Cowboy Hat
This whimsical tale adds a touch of southwestern charm to bring new life to an old favorite.
Little Red Riding Hood
The classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood comes to life in this vibrant retelling perfect for beginning readers.
Pretty Salma
When Granny asks Pretty Salma to go to the market one day, she warns her not to talk to strangers. But cunning Mr. Dog tricks Salma, and before she knows it, he’s wearing her stripy ntama, her pretty white beads, and her yellow sandals. And he’s on his way to Granny’s house!
Good Little Wolf
Once upon a time there was a wolf called Rolf – a good little wolf who liked baking cakes and was always kind to his friends. But real wolves aren’t supposed to be good – they’re supposed to be BIG and BAD. Can a good little wolf still be a real wolf? And will Rolf discover there’s something big and bad lurking inside him after all?
Petite Rouge
When her grand-mère comes down wit’ de flu, this Cajun Little Red knows what she has to do. With her witty cat, TeJean, she sets off in a pirogue to bring Grand-mère some gumbo. Who should she meet upon the way, but that big ol’ swamp gator, Claude! Mean ol’ Claude may want to gobble up Petite Rouge, but she and TeJean have a better idea. Before long, they have Claude running back to the bayou where he belongs!
Little Red Hot
Little Red Hot loves red hot chilli peppers. She eats them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When her grandmother catches a cold, Little Red makes her a hot pepper pie that will “knock those cold germs right out of her”. But before Little Red shares her pie with Grandma, she meets Señor Lobo. The pie comes in very handy when the wily wolf tries to trick her into thinking he’s her grandmother.
Little Red Riding Hood
A feisty, bike-riding heroine, her tractor-driving grandmother, and a wolf with a hankering for Grandma’s award-winning wheat berry muffins — this is not your grandmother’s Little Red Riding Hood!
Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf
Little Wolf doesn’t want to be a Big Bad Wolf. But when she is sent to gather ingredients for dinner and she meets Red Riding Hood, she doesn’t know what to do. Together the unlikely duo finds a surprising solution to Little Wolf’s big problem!
Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf
Little Red Reading Hood loves–you guessed it–reading! She applies everything she learns from books to the real world. So, when she sets off to take her sick grandmother a homemade treat, she’s prepared for anything that comes her way. In keeping with the original story, Red is in for a surprise when she arrives to find a wolf disguised as her grandmother. But this is no ordinary wolf. . . This is the Misread Wolf, who’s after something more delicious than your average snack. He’s desperate for a bedtime story and knows Little Red Reading Hood might just be his only hope.
Big Red and the Little Bitty Wolf
Little Bitty Wolf has a big problem. He used to love to walk to school at Pine Cone Elementary. Until Big Red Riding Hood moves into town. Big Red isn’t just big, she is mean. And she loves nothing more than teasing, taunting, and terrorizing Little Bitty. What is a wolf to do? Little Bitty talks to his parents and tries lots of different ideas to stop the bullying. But in the end, it takes something unexpected to get Big Red to stop!
Violet and the Woof
Riding their building’s elevator and traveling the hallways past apartment doors to bring soup to a sick neighbor, Violet and Peter encounter both real and imagined adventure—getting lost in the laundry room, running into a troll, and escaping scary noises in the nick of time, only to find that their poor sick neighbor looks . . . like a wolf!
Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon
This is not the story you think you know. In this version of the classic fairy tale, Little Red lives in a village near the Great Wall and trains in kung fu. When she ventures to her grandmother’s to deliver rice cakes and herbal medicine, she encounters something much more fearsome than a wolf—a mighty dragon. With her wits and a sword in hand, Little Red must valiantly defend herself and her grandmother.
Little Red and the Cat Who Loved Cake
Little Red has baked a cake with their father, and is on the way to Grandma’s house to make a delivery. But someone has been trailing them ever since they left home . . . someone who really loves cake.
This playful retelling of a beloved classic is a visual delight, with references to other fairy tales hidden throughout Lehman’s inviting illustrations.
Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale
Mahogany is a spunky girl who loves to sew, listen to music, and wear fresh kicks. On the way to deliver homemade honey cornbread to Grandma’s house, she encounters a hungry wolf. Because Mahogany is clever, she stands by a willow tree, where her long, black curly hair blends with the branches. She hides in the forest, where her ebony skin merges with the shadows. And Mahogany knows the lavender scent of her skin will mix with the smells of flowering plants, tricking any wolf nose. Ultimately, Mahogany’s Blackness, her wits, and her sewing skills all save her in this refreshing, celebratory, and innovative retelling.
Compare and Contrast Little Red Riding Hood Stories
Reading multiple versions of Little Red Riding Hood is a great way for students to work on comparing and contrasting. Most students are familiar with the original, which makes it easier to note the similarities and differences with the characters, setting, plot, and even the illustrations.
You can download this FREE compare and contrast graphic organizer here. I also have a set of printable AND digital graphic organizers for both fiction and nonfiction here.
Do you have a favorite version of Little Red Riding Hood that didn’t make the list? Let me know so I can check it out!
Need more book ideas for comparing and contrasting? Check out this post.
Or, you can find all of my book lists organized by topic here.
Happy Reading!
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