Advanced Children's Literature: Traditional Tales

Pinkney, Jerry. THE LITTLE RED HEN. New York: Dial/Penguin, 2006.

Even for my favorite Mr. Pinkney, it is no hyperbole to say this is one of his truly remarkable efforts. The text is sparse but perfectly suited for reading aloud or repetitive responses. It is written in a manner so as to be obviously true to the oral tradition with the text full of dialog. Who will help the little red hen? No, not the short brown dog, the tall black goat, or the round pink pig! And our heroine does not enable their lazy behavior. A perfect choice to read to Pre-Kindergarten through first grade children for practice in predicting outcomes. A stellar example of a traditional tale that will seem fresh and new to students who may never heard the tale and adults who have heard it dozens, perhaps hundreds of times. Especially delightful are the bright and detailed illustrations of the little red hen and her chicks that are full page spreads. A perfect blending of art and letters and an undoubtably welcome addition to any library or personal collection.