Ella Enchanted Author Gail Carson Levine Puts Twist in Red Riding Hood Tale

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Once upon a time a bestselling author named Gail Carson Levine wrote a picture book about Little Red Riding Hood. Levine was already renowned for her fresh takes on classic fairy tales, such as Ella Enchanted, her Newbery Honor-winning novel based on Cinderella. For this new book she decided to turn a traditional tale on its head. Or turn a sheep’s tail into a lamb’s ear. Or change a wolf into a sow’s purse. Oh, never mind.

A feisty young shepherd girl teams up with a wolf in Betsy Red Hoodie (HarperCollins), which Publishers Weekly calls an “uproarious adaptation.” It’s a followup to the popular Betsy Who Cried Wolf, both illustrated by Scott Nash. Levine works her signature magic with action, suspense, and plenty of woolly humor as the story takes a surprising twist.

Betsy and Zimmo the wolf are friends who guard the sheep. But when they set out for Grandma’s house and Zimmo suddenly races ahead, Betsy worries that maybe he really does intend to eat Grandma. Wisecracking sheep and punning lambs don’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes in this hilarious tale, from which every young reader is sure to come away in a good, not B-A-A-A-D, mood. Nash’s funny illustrations depict a contemporary-looking Betsy (in a red hoodie, of course!), sheep that sport hats, shoes, and backpacks, and an earnest wolf in men’s clothing who enjoys picking daisies.

Young readers first encountered Betsy and Zimmo in Betsy Who Cried Wolf, which Kirkus Reviews called “a must-have.” The determined young heroine, fresh out of Shepherd School, outfoxes Zimmo the wolf when she discovers his fondness for pie. But Zimmo, in turn, has a surprise for Betsy. Drama and wit abound in this delightful romp.

Gail Carson Levine’s first book, Ella Enchanted, won a Newbery Honor and was made into a major motion picture. She has received numerous awards and is the author of seventeen other children’s books, many of which have been bestsellers. Her work has been translated into thirty-five languages. Levine lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/29k2hxx.

SOURCE Gail Carson Levine