READING FOR RESEARCH MONTH BOOK REVIEWS - Post #3

Today's installment of book reviews for books I read during ReFoReMo 2017 covers two categories: Culture and Fractured Fairytales.

Culture

GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS by Natasha Yim

In this version of GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, Goldilocks is called Goldy Luck and she is Chinese. Her parents send her to the neighbor's house, the Chans with a plate of turnip cakes for the Chinese New Year.

The Chans, who are panda bears, aren't home. Their door is unlocked, so Goldy goes into their house and makes herself at home, eating Little Chan's bowl of congee, breaking his rocking chair, and falling asleep in his bed. Will the Chan's forgive her?

Author Natasha Yim includes three pages at the end of the book with an Author's Note about the Chinese New Year, a explanation of the Chinese Zodiac and a recipe for Turnip Cakes.

 LITTLE RED AND THE VERY HUNGRY LION by Alex T. Smith

This is the story of Little Red Riding Hood with a Mexican flair. Little Red's Aunt Rosie is covered in spots. She is in need of some special Spot Medicine. Little Red is sent to Aunt Rosie's house to deliver the much-needed meds.

Little Red must venture through the jungle to get to Aunt Rosie's house. Along the way, she meets some friendly creatures, such as giraffes and monkeys. She hitches a short ride on an elephant's back. But, she also comes face to face with a hungry lion.

The lion wants to know where Little Red is going. When she tells him her destination, he takes off through the jungle. She then meets him again at Aunt Rosie's house, where he has stuffed Aunt Rosie in the cupboard. Little Red is smart and knows what is going on. She decides to trick the lion to make him learn a lesson about being mean.

LITTLE ROJA RIDING HOOD by Susan Middleton Elya

This is the "classic" story of Little Red Riding Hood told from a Mexican perspective. Little Red Riding Hood is called Little "Roja" Riding Hood because "roja" means red in Spanish.

The story is basically the same as the original, except for the ending. However, in this version many English words have been substituted for their Spanish counterparts, such as "Roja" for "Red", "Abuela" for "Grandma" and "capa" for "cape". Also in this version, Little Roja Riding Hood saves Abuela (Grandma) herself without the need for the woodcutter. Also, after the wolf is banished, Little Roja helps Abuela install a new security system to keep her safe in the future.

The story is also written in rhyme.

Fractured Fairytales

THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3LITTLE PIGS by Jon Scieszka

I'll bet you think you already know the true story of THE 3 LITTLE PIGS. Think again. The story you're familiar with was told by the little pigs. The Wolf, who really isn't big or bad, tells the TRUE story of how things went down in this funny and creative book.

Author Jon Scieszka sure had some fun with this one. The story takes on whole new dimensions when it's told from the Wolf's point of view. The Wolf claims that it all started with a sneeze and a cup of sugar.

Read the story and be the judge. Is the Wolf telling the truth?

VERY LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD by Heapy & Heap

Very Little Red Riding Hood is not to be confused with Little Red Riding Hood. Very Little Red Riding Hood is different. For starters, when she leaves her house to visit "Gramma's" she says, ""Bye, bye Mummy." Little Red  Riding Hood didn't do that. And, when Little Red Riding Hood meets the Wolf, she calls him "Foxie" and gives him a big hug. Little Red Riding Hood didn't do that.

And, so it goes. Very Little Red Riding Hood tells a completely different story, one I am sure you will enjoy.