Week 2: Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

Book Cover Image:

 Book Summary:

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China is a retelling of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Some of this book will seem quite familiar to children, as it is similar to the original fairy tale.  Three little sisters are left at home alone and will encounter the big, bad, wolf in disguise as their Po Po (grandmother).  There are some surprising differences in this version that will capture the reader’s attention and keep them hanging on until the end.  The sisters will try several different creative and tricky ways to get away from the wolf.  This 1990 Caldecott winner will surely entertain children and adults. In a school setting, it is best suited for grades

1-5.          

APA Reference:

Young, E. (1989). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China. New York, NY:

            Philomel Books. 

My Impressions:

This was an interesting twist on the original Little Red Riding Hood.  I love the characterization of the little girls.  They were clever enough to trick the wolf in many ways once they figured the wolf was not their grandma.  They showed how they could use normal childhood activities, like going outside, to get the wolf to let them out.  This allowed them to have opportunities to get away from him.  Even though the text in this version is engaging, the art is what won the Caldecott Medal.  The composition of the art was executed well.  Ed Young’s use of dominance where the light and dark (chiaroscuro) contrasts really captures the fear on the girls’ faces.  The mixed media use of watercolor and pastels, as well as multicolor illustrations, made it entertaining to look at, especially for younger children.  Overall, it’s a great retelling with many neat introductions into China’s culture that people of all ages can enjoy. 

  

Professional Review:

“Grade 1-5-- A gripping variation on Red Riding Hood that involves three little sisters who outsmart the wolf ( lon or long in Cantonese) who has gained entry to their home under the false pretense of being their maternal grandmother ( Po Po ). The clever animal blows out the candle before the children can see him , and is actually in bed with them when they start asking the traditional "Why, Grandma!" questions. The eldest realizes the truth and tricks the wolf into letting them go outside to pick gingko nuts , and then lures him to his doom. The text possesses that matter-of-fact veracity that characterizes the best fairy tales. The watercolor and pastel pictures are remarkable: mystically beautiful in their depiction of the Chinese countryside, menacing in the exchanges with the wolf, and positively chilling in the scenes inside the house. Overall, this is an outstanding achievement that will be pored over again and again.”

Review Reference:

Philbrook, J. (1989, December 1). [Review of the book Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood

story from China, by E. Young]. School Library Journal, 35(16), 97. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 1 through 5

This book could be used in collaboration with the art teacher.  The librarian could read the book and show the pictures so they can see the art techniques used.  The art teacher could teach the children how to use light and dark contrast to convey emotions, like fear, in an art project.  The students could then try their hand at drawing and coloring a scene from the book using the light and dark contrast technique.  When they are finished, they could share their impressions of the book through their artwork.

This book could be used in an old and new fairy tale display showing the original versions and alternative versions.