It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and I have such a terrific title to share with you today!
Wait until you see this one!!! đ
Title: Federico And The Wolf
Written By: Rebecca J. Gomez
Illustrated By: Elisa Chavarri
Clarion Books, May 19, 2020, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-7
Themes/Topics: fairy tale retelling (Little Red Riding Hood), courage, quick thinking
Opening: “Once upon a modern time
a boy named Federico
left to buy ingredients
to make the perfect pico.”
text copyright Rebecca J. Gomez 2020, illustration copyright Elisa Chavarri 2020 Clarion Books HMH
Brief Synopsis: In this modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, a young boy named Federico, dressed in a red hoodie, rides his bicycle to the store to shop for the ingredients for pico. When he arrives at Grandpa’s shop, Grandpa’s beard is so thick! and his arms are so grande! and what on earth is up with his dentures? He does not look the way he should!
text copyright Rebecca J. Gomez 2020, illustration copyright Elisa Chavarri 2020 Clarion Books HMH
Links To Resources: the back of the book has a recipe for pico and a glossary of the Spanish vocabulary included in the story; read with other retellings of Little Red Riding Hood – Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar, Little Red Writing by Joan Holub; make up your own version of Little Red Riding Hood (or another fairy tale đ); Little Red Riding Hood Teaching Ideas and Activities (for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school)
text copyright Rebecca J. Gomez 2020, illustration copyright Elisa Chavarri 2020 Clarion Books HMH
Why I Like This Book: I love that in this retelling Little Red is a boy! He rides a bike through the city streets and park instead of skipping through the woods đ His bike basket is filled with ingredients for making fresh pico. The text is written in perfect rhyme and sprinkled with lots of accessible Spanish vocabulary for kids to learn from. The story is delightful from start to finish and the art is bright and engaging. Clever and fun! You won’t want to miss this one!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do đ
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out đ ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! I hope you’ll all get to celebrate Memorial Day in an appropriately socially distant way!!! đ
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Usually I’m the last here…but I was watching a movie and came to shut down my computer and saw that your PPBF post was already up, Susanna. What an amazing book you shared…where do you find these treasures?
I know Becky and she sent me this to review, Vivian. Isn’t it fantastic? The story is so much fun, the rhyme is spot on, and the art is so bright and appealing! This is one I’ll be sharing with my grandkids!
Hi lovely ladies, this sounds amazing! I liked the idea when I first saw it but after this review and insight, I feel like it’s a must read, especially if the rhyme is spot on, which we all know is so hard to do
It’s fantastic, Kaitlyn, you will love it! The rhyme is not only perfect, but creative – working in Spanish words and never relying on obvious easy rhymes. The story is really fun and the art is delightful!
What a clever take on Little Red Riding Hood. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t it terrific, Deb? I love how many endless ways there seem to be to freshen fairy tales!
This story looks like such a fresh and fun take on Little Red Riding Hood! I do love a fairy tale adaptation!
So do I, Laura! There’s something about a new twist on a familiar tale that is so appealing! This one is clever and creative and very well written!
Looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for another PPBF!
You’re going to love it, Sarah! It’s terrific!
I agree with you, this is an amazing retelling. Can’t wait to look at it!
You’re in for a treat, Maria! This one is really fabulous!
Oh, that is delightful! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you get to read it Angie – it’s really fun, and so well done!
I love that the MC is a boy! I’m really looking forward to reading this LLRH version!
I know, isn’t that great, Judy? I don’t think I’ve ever read a LLRH with a boy before – such a great idea. And the Spanish twist as well – so much fun!
Oops, Should be LRRH!
No worries – I just made the same mistake đ
What an adorable retelling of this classic tale in Spanish. Such fun! Love that it includes Spanish words. Great illustrations, too!
The illustrations really are appealing, Pat! I had to stop myself from including more! The story is clever and fun and the Spanish is a great addition!
This. sounds like a wonderful and clever retelling of the story. And I have to say that I find the paws of the wolf fabulous as well. Great find!
You’re going to love it if you get a chance to read it, Jilanne – it’s terrific!
I like a good Hood spin! will definitely check it out! Have a nice weekend too!
This is a fantastic one, Jules! Your little book group will love it!
This new Red Riding Hood version looks delightful! I can’t wait to find & read it soon!