Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith (review)

In this African reboot of “Little Red Riding Hood,” Little Red bids her dad goodbye and hustles off to Auntie Rosie’s house, through grasslands and jungles, past hippos, gazelles, meerkats, and a whole slew of other animals. On the way she meets a lion who, after learning her destination, hatches a devious plan: lock Auntie in a cupboard, dress up as her, eat Little Red for supper, and enjoy Auntie Rosie for dessert. When Little Red spies the lion in disguise, she devises her own scheme, gussying him up and squeezing him into one of Rosie’s dresses. When he finally blows his top, Little Red serves up a lecture (“Well, trying to eat children and aunties is VERY naughty. If you were hungry, all you had to do was ask for some food”), the humbled lion apologizes to Little Red and Auntie, and the trio polishes off a basket of doughnuts. The African setting, brown-skinned protagonists, and clever heroine make this a diverse and inventive revision. Smith’s animated artwork uses a warm palette of reds, pinks, golds, and browns to effectively convey the landscape and characters, and Little Red makes a perky pint-sized foil to the oversized Lion, who sports a poofy mane and a significant under bite. The judicious use of pattern and detailing adds texture and piquancy to the pictures as well. This would be an amusing title to tuck into a folktale- or lion-themed storytime or a fine addition to a classroom unit on classic tales.