A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated
Children's Book of 2022** ★ Everyone knows how "Little Red Riding
Hood" goes. But Grandpa keeps getting the story all wrong, with
hilarious results!
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Little Yellow Riding
Hood--" "Not yellow! It's Red Riding Hood!" So begins the story of a
grandpa playfully recounting the well-known fairytale--or his version,
at least--to his granddaughter. Try as she might to get him back on
track, Grandpa keeps on adding things to the mix, both outlandish and
mundane! The end result is an unpredictable tale that comes alive as
it's being told, born out of imaginative play and familial affection.
This spirited picture book will surprise and delight from start to
finish, while reminding readers that storytelling is not only a creative
act of improvisation and interaction, but also a powerful pathway for
connection and love.
Telling Stories Wrong was written by Gianni Rodari, widely regarded as
the father of modern Italian children's literature. It exemplifies his
great respect for the intelligence of children and the kind of work he
did as an educator, developing numerous games and exercises for children
to engage and think beyond the status quo, imagining what happens after
the end of a familiar story, or what possibilities open up when a new
ingredient is introduced. This book is illustrated with great affection
by the illustrious artist Beatrice Alemagna (Child of Glass), who
counts Gianni Rodari as one of her "spiritual fathers."
