Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is a classical re-telling of the Little Red Hen fable, nothing changed, nothing added -- except gorgeous illustrations. The ending has not been softened, as it has been in some renditions.
Families can talk about the phrase "not I," or rather shout it at the appropriate times in this fun read-aloud story. Why do you think the other animals say this to the Little Red Hen instead of helping out? Do you think the Little Red Hen should have shared in the end, even though no one helped her? You may enjoy trying out different endings and see which one fits you best. This might lead to a discussion of cooperation and whether or not working together is helpful. When do you like help? What do you do when no one will give you a hand? When do you think you should help?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Patricia Tauzer
For generations, kids have enjoyed participating in this fable, with its repetitive "Not I said the...," and the same should be true in this LITTLE RED HEN by Jerry Pinkney. Kids will be even more ready to join in because they will find "the Little Red Hen" printed always in red, "the short brown dog" in brown, "the gray rat" gray, and "the round pig" pink."
As the chant builds through the pages, through the planting, tending and harvesting, it drives toward the inevitable. What will happen once the bread is baked? Older readers will read an ending they remember, not the modified solution of some more modern editions.
Illustrations are classical Pinkney. His realistic, sensitive watercolors are large on the page. On the cover, the Little Red Hen looks big and plump and motherly in her brilliantly checkered shawl and floppy straw hat tied under her chin. Inside, the round pig is mud-streaked sloth itself, the goat is a wiry whiner, and the rat lurks in beady-eyed mischief. As a fun touch, Pinkney adds a self-portrait as the kind-hearted miller.
All of the animals are colorful, delicately drawn, and so expressive. Even their eyes change from the time they gather around the hen, each pleading his case, to the moment they turn away, shirking any responsibility. By subtle changes drawn in her features, Red Hen looks excited when she greets the day, pensive as she checks her crop, aggravated when she has to harvest on her own, and scowling as she realizes no help is coming her way.
With art like this to his name, it's no surprise that Jerry Pinkney has won five Caldecott Medals, five Coretta Scott King Awards, and three New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Awards, among many other honors.
From The Book
"Who will help me plant these seeds?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the rat.
"Not I," said the goat.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Surely you will," the little red hen said to the dog. "You are so fond of digging."
"Not I," said the dog.
Plot Summary:
After the little red hen finds some wheat seeds, she tries to get the other farm animals to help her plant the seeds, harvest the wheat, and bake the bread. None cooperate, and she teaches them a lesson in the end.
Related Books:
Other Books Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Talking Eggs by Robert Souci
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
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Social BehaviorThe moral: those who work, reap the benefits. The helpful miller in the story is African American, and actually a self-portrait of the illustrator. |
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