There's a Wolf at the Door
Grade 2–4—Encountering three little pigs, a hungry wolf is unable to persuade Alan, Gordon, or Blake to let him into their houses. Seeking greener pastures, he sneaks up on Barry, a lonely shepherd in "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," but luckily his wisecracking sheep know how to handle wolves. Rhonda, otherwise known as Little Red Riding Hood, may be willing to discuss fashion with the wolf in the woods but soon realizes that "being well dressed doesn't excuse rude behavior" to her Granny. The animal barely escapes, clad only in Granny's fluffy white rug. As "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing," he has another unsuccessful try at Barry's resourceful flock. He gets his clothes back just in time to reenact "The Wolf and the Seven Little Goslings," all of whom are named and loaded with personality. This hilarious romp ends with the very hungry wolf noticing a sign to Farmer McGregor's garden and contemplating a vegetarian lifestyle. Illustrated with softly colored pen-and-ink drawings, these five stories meld seamlessly together. The text is full of puns, alliteration, and occasional rhymes. Contemporary sensibilities, such as Rhonda's fixation on fashion and the counseling style of Barry's sheep, are priceless additions. The oversize format and the graphic-novel style make this retelling perfect for independent reading as well as for group sharing.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TNCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.