Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon by Ying Chang Compestine

Abstract

Reviewed by: Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon by Ying Chang Compestine Danica Ronquillo Compestine, Ying Chang Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon; illus. by Joy Ang. Abrams, 2022 [48p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781419737282 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781683355694 $15.54 Reviewed from digital galleys R 5-8 yrs “Here is the real story,” narrates the Big Bad Wolf, ready to set the record straight about familiar tale involving a girl named Little Red. Here, Little Red lives in a village with her mother near the Great Wall of China and often sports a red silk hood while wielding a sword and mastering the art of kung fu. One day, her grandmother Nāinai falls ill and Little Red ventures to her house, carrying a basket of herbal soup and rice cakes to help her feel better. But when a dragon blocks her path and threatens to gobble up her grandmother, Little Red applies her physical prowess and intellect to save Nāinai and escape the dragon’s clutches. The book hits all the usual plot points, but Compestine’s fresh retelling and Ang’s vivid digital illustrations showcase Little Red Riding Hood through a Chinese cultural and mythological perspective. Background details emphasize elements of Chinese culture such as martial arts, instruments, and traditional medicine, while energetic linework and composition provide action-packed movement. Repetition also assists the narrative, as Little Red’s descriptions of the unusual physical attributes of the dragon disguised as her grandmother evoke a familiar refrain: “Nāinai, what large hands you have! / And Nāinai, what big eyes you have!” The loving bond between Little Red and Nāinai will remind readers of their own familial relationships, and youngsters will feel empowered to rescue themselves in times of adversity. An author’s note and list of items provide further cultural context. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois