You Choose Little Red Riding Hood

When looking at traditional tales for children, one should remember some of the original Grimm tales were rather Grimm and not intended for young readers. It should also be understood that just because a book has a fairy tale title and characters it also may not be for young children.

I've become a fan of You Choose type books for history and now traditional tales because it is a great way to get children to explore how choices can influence outcomes. How changing those choices can create different outcomes. With the multiple character books or in this case setting books it helps a child look at an event or story from different perspectives. In the history series you see how being a different person might change your view of an event. In the fairy tale version the setting helps the reader see how the story changes when the characters are placed in different environments with different challenges with basically the same goal, in this case reaching Grandma.


The Red Riding Hood stories are different in setting but the challenges of getting by the evil wolf or in some cases wolves to get to grandma or some version of a grandma character remain consistent through the three stories. The three settings are a modern day kid walking through a large city park, a child caught in a terrible war, and a futuristic agent working against an evil corporation.

While I almost always suggest that parents or teachers preview a book before giving it to their kids in this case I highly suggest it with this book. It is an interesting read and some kids will have no issue with some of the war themes. Other kids may not be prepared for the material and jump right in, but as I said in the beginning this has the feel of a modern updated Grimm original than the more child friendly versions that you usually see in picture books. The book looks like an early chapter book and because it is a Choose Your Own some might just decide it is an easy read and a good early chapter book for a child that likes alternate fairy tales without looking at the more complicated materials covered in the book.

I have some family that would love this book and a copy may find its way under the tree at Christmas because I suspect more than one child will enjoy it, but not until after I've discussed it with the parents. I believe you benefit from honesty in my reviews. The book is an interesting read, but it is up to parents to decide if it the right choice for your child.