Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

Alex T. Smith’s name is becoming synonymous with perfect picture books, and this may be his best yet. A Safari setting adds a colourful twist to this Little Red Riding Hood tale; Little Red is off to visit her Auntie Rosie, who has woken up covered in spots. The journey is long and she encounters lots of lazy jungle animals as she goes. But when she takes a rest under a shady tree, a very hungry lion arrives with a very naughty plan to eat her up. Luckily, Little Red doesn’t miss a trick and when she realises what’s going on she decides to teach that very naughty lion a valuable lesson.

Genuinely hilarious drawings (the lion’s expressions are priceless) and a sumptuous palette of tropical cerise and orange make this a rather stunning package.  The text is fabulous, Smith bring an effortless charm to his writing that is matched perfectly by his ever-stylish illustrations. Ideal, really. Here’s hoping Smith twists some more fairy tales in the future.