Rotkaeppchen

"Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by every one who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother, and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child. Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well that she would never wear anything else. So she was always called Little Red Riding Hood." The Grimm Brothers- Rotkaeppchen

Journeying back into time we, readers, remember the first time we read this story. Like others, I was young, maybe four or five. Anyway, what I remember is that I didn't question the story. And, yes I don't think children would question the story or any story for that matter. It's just not in their nature. But, years later after rereading this story I have a few questions to ask. This time I do not merely accept the story for what is, but delve deeper.

First off: Why would Little Red Riding Hood's mother send her out into the forest by herself? It seems a bit irrresponsible on the part of the mother. Does she not care what happens to her daughter?

If you ran into a talking wolf in the forest wouldn't you be scared, or distrubed? In the story, in every account/story, that I read I noticed that the sight of a talking wolf did not scare her at all. But then again, it is a fairy tale so I don't think that would be perceived as strange or weird in the story.

When she finally gets to grandma's house why does she not realize that it is the wolf who answers? It just doesn't make sense. It would seem easy to distinguish a wolf from your grandmother.

Those are the questions I ask and wish that I had the answers to. I picked The Grimm Brother's version because I like the German version better. I read it one time in my GERM class, I don't remember which one. But, yeah, it does have all the markings of a German fairy tale. It's a little dry, but it is good. In the end, Little Red Cap/Little Red Riding Hood is saved. In reading this version, or rereading it rather I am reminded of the biblical story of Jonah and the whale. Both are saved and both make it out alive. Other versions, are of course different and well as we all know she doesn't always make it out of the woods.

But, I think that it's important to realize that the varied versions of the story allow for readers to taste or breathe in other cultures of the world...

Outside Reading List

Book 1: Aggie Goose Rhymes
Author: Debbie Leland; Illustrated by Ann Hollis Rife
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 1-29-08

Book 2: Amazing Grace
Author: Mary Hoffman; Illustrated by Caroline Binch
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 2-9-08

Book 3: D.W Thinks Big
Author: Marc Brown
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 2-15-08

Book 4: The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation
Author: Jan and Stan Berenstain
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 2-20-08

Book 5: The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp
Author: Jan and Stan Berenstain
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 2-26-08

Book 6: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robinson
Picture Book: No
Posting Date: 3-18-08

Book '07- WHOOP: 1 The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
Author: John R. Erickson
Picture Book: No
Posting Date: 3-26-08

Book 8: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Author: Judy Blume
Picture Book: No
Posting Date: 4-1-08

Book 9: Tears of a Tiger
Author: Sharon Draper
Picture Book: No
Posting Date:4-15-08

Book 10: Aliens for Breakfast
Author: Johnathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner
Picture Book: No
Posting Date:

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Extra

Book 11: Next Year I'll Be Special
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff; Illustrated by Marilyn Hafner
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 4-19-08

Book 12: The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C.S. Lewis; Illustrated by Deborah Maze
Picture Book: Yes
Posting Date: 4-24-08