Honestly Red Riding Hood Was Rotton

I have always been a fan of providing children with stories that tell the "other side" of the story. Fairytales are nursery rhymes are great ways to introduce children to the idea that there are more sides to the story than the first one you read. Trish Speed Shaskan has taken on the challenge in Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf (The Other Side of the Story)to give the wolf a voice.

Unfortunately, she has not made a convincing case. I was hoping for the defense presented inThe True Story of the Three Little Pigswhere the wolf attempts to present explanations for his actions against the pigs.

This book starts with the wolf claiming to be a vegetarian who went astray, but then works towards a character assassination of Red Riding Hood and Granny. It left me uncomfortable as if Red and Granny were deserving of being eaten due to their vanity and the wolf's hunger. I can think of a dozen scenarios that the wolf could use for mistaken identity, being set up, etc. This one seemed weak at best and at worst, it presented a dangerous message that Granny and Red deserved what they got.

The idea that a wild animal would eat whatever presented itself, as food is not unrealistic. My issue was that the author seemed to want to make the case that Red and Granny deserved it.

One thing I did like about the series was the suggestions at the back of the book to compare and contrast this story with the traditional version. I suspect that is part of this series. I have reserved a few more books in the series to see if others are better as there are multiple authors.