#252 of 1001 · April 9, 2021

Here’s yet another Little Red Riding Hood picture book, this one by Christopher Coady, who mines the tale for its aura of slowly creeping menace. The text establishes a chilling atmosphere and builds tension through a strong economy of language (“As she walked into the darkening wood, Red Riding Hood felt two eyes on her.”). It is raining when the young girl sets out for her journey, perhaps an omen of looming danger. The painterly illustrations, executed in vivid, mismatched brushstrokes, bear a moody color palette replete with warm lights and heavy shadows. A note for folklore enthusiasts: here is the rare version of Little Red Riding Hood that faithfully adheres to the Charles Perrault rendition of the tale by having the wolf eat the girl and simply ending the story then and there. Unwilling to cushion the blow, Coady leaves us with the striking image of the red cloak strewn forlornly on the bed. As an epilogue, he includes a loose translation of Perrault’s moral, an admonition against trusting the cunning and deceptive “wolves” in everyday life. #littleredridinghood #grandmother #wolf #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcover #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookillustrations #picturebookart #classicchildrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks