SuitabookRed
Liesl Shurtliff
- Reading
- Read alongside your child if eerie fantasy or bereavement themes may be sensitive. Pause after major encounters to ask what Red knows, what she assumes, and whether appearances deserve trust.
- Themes
- Reworking a familiar fairy tale: Red is presented as a new version of Little Red Riding Hood, with her name linked to ideas about destiny and a wider cast of fairy-tale figures. The book appears to use a familiar tale to explore what may lie behind established character roles, rather than simply repeating the original story.
- Fear, courage and change: The book addresses fear, courage and change; the detail of how it is developed remains unclear. Courage is portrayed as facing a personal fear rather than lacking fear altogether, while confidence and self-trust are treated as important developments.
- Judging apparent enemies: The book addresses judging apparent enemies; the detail of how it is developed remains unclear. The story invites readers to question first impressions and consider whether apparently threatening figures have more complicated motives.
- Worth knowing
- Some children may want preparation for a sick grandmother, references to death and loss, frightening or eerie locations, magical danger, and conflict involving a wolf, huntsman and beast.