#365PictureBooks 65. Little Red Riding Hood, illustrated by Alison Jay, rewritten by Katie Cotton

Jay, A. (2013). Little Red Riding Hood. Mascot, Australia: Koala Books.

ISBN: 97871742760711
Pages: 32
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / Alternative FairyTale / Non-Fiction
Rating: 5 stars

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Welcome to Fairytale Village, where stories happen every day.
Today we're reading Little Red Riding Hood's adventure, but if you look closely you might spot some other stories happening in the background. 

Katie Cotton has rewritten the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood, modernising it slightly.  Some of the language used is quite sophisticated, making me feel that it is more appropriate for primary school children.  The text is in double-spacing making it easy to read, and some of the font has been presented in larger 'brush stroke' style representing scared / scary words ... dun dun dun!!!

Jay's illustrations are absolutely amazing.  It's quite hard to see it in this picture, but each image gives the impression of a very very very old painting that is all cracked and dry.  Or maybe like a porcelain platter that is showing it's antique qualities.

Each illustration is in keeping with the original Red Riding Hood tale, so children can relate this modernised alternative version with the classic.  Hidden in each illustration are many other characters from within other well-known fairytales and fables, like Hansel & Gretel, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Puss in Boots .....  I think it is just a delight to read, or should I say absorb :-)

What a beautiful addition to your collection.  I love having alternative fairytales in our library.  They make for a great exemplar to use when discussing creative writing and how small changes can make a story interesting / exciting / modern / or boring!

I got my copy of Little Red Riding Hood from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 61. Ten monsters in the bed by Katie Cotton, illustrated by Aaron Blecha

Cotton, K., & Blecha, A. (2014). Ten monsters in the bed. Gosford, Australia: Koala Books.

ISBN: 9781742761176
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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This is going to be a 'Minimal Monday' review, simply because it's just a fun, noisy book that you HAVE TO read!

There were ten monsters in the bed,
and the farty monster said ...
"MOVE OVER!" 

A smelly, noisy (definitely boy humour) twist on the 'ten green bottles' ditty.  

The ten dirty, gross and disgusting monsters don't have enough room on the top bunk of their bed.  So they proceed to push, throw and sneeze their way off the bed, whilst down below one big monster is trying to sleep.

The illustrations are amazingly bright and colourful, even with a dark purlply/navy background.  And the monsters, even though they are rather disgusting, are really quite fantastic to look at.  Keep your eye on the moldy flea ridden sandwich during the story, as well as the monster in the bowl.  So many things to look at on each page as the monsters are constantly in motion.

A rollicking great rhyming read-aloud.  Mind you I wouldn't read it at bed-time as it is not the sort of story that children will settle down and fall asleep to!  It's more a noisy, gross, activity inducing read!

I got my copy of Ten monsters in the bed from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.