Cassie and the Woolf

February 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-This new series invites readers to rediscover classic tales, offering "a new twist, a new gasp," with generally successful results. In Cassie and the Woolf, Snowe changes "Red Riding Hood" from a cautionary tale to one of revenge. When Caleb Woolf spots Cassie Cloak walking to her grandmother's apartment with a box of food, he strikes up a conversation. Of course, he arrives at Granny's before Cassie, ties up Granny, knocks out Cassie, and takes their food. After recovering, the women retaliate. Cassie invites Caleb to dinner at Granny's but the old woman deliberately floods her apartment with gas, and when Caleb arrives, she traps him inside until he faints. (Fortunately, Granny doesn't blow up her own apartment.) Snowe fares better with A Home in the Sky, updating "Jack and the Beanstalk" without deviating too far from the tale's origins. Instead of a cow, impoverished Jack trades his beloved bicycle for magic beans. A giant lives in a luxurious apartment atop the beanstalk. Snowe gives a clever nod to Greek mythology by naming the giant "Briareus." The tale ends as expected: beanstalk chopped, giant dead, Jack rich. These retellings zip along, thanks to sharp dialogue and smart updates that feel fresh. Lamoreaux's full page manga-esque illustrations, rendered in grayscale with punches of red, are plentiful and will keep reluctant readers engaged. Strong back matter in each volume includes a history of the original story and writing prompts for readers to create their own twice-told tales. A fine choice for keeping traditional fairy tales alive.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

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