Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China (Caldecott Medal Book)

Rating:
Summary: Lon Po Po: The Best non Red-Riding Hood
Review: Through artful suggestions that open spaces for imagination's supply of satisfying horrors and triumphant solutions, the unusually fine illustrations first pique terror, then confidence. Three children share the problem of a sudden wolf, of being prey, rather than a lone girl. Each child contributes to the solution in accordance with the age intelligence level of the child. Intelligence is the story's primary agent in opposing the wiles of a crafty wolf.
There is no hint of rape, the wolf does not attack, no blood drips. The wolf's eye, or snout--a piece of wolf face writ large--is shudderingly present; the children are expressive, open children, like children everywhere.
This version, a story of alerted intellect laced with fear, offers each reader personal paths through the story; the problem, the solution. Readers will find new thoughts with each reading.
This is a pleasing version with superior, beautiful, art that adds immeasurably to the story.