ROOD ROOD ROODKAPJE (RED RED RED RIDING HOOD)year:
2003
genre:
picture book, 32 p.
publisher:
illustrator:
Isabelle Vandenabeele
age:
6+Isabelle Vandenabeele
age:
awards:
Vlag en Wimpel 2004 (Honorary mention Best books for children)
Zilveren Penseel 2004 (for the illustrations)
Plantin Moretusprize 2004 (for the bookdesign)
rights sold:
French (Édtions du Rouergue)
This variation of the Red Riding Hood fairytale was already fully illustrated by Isabelle Vandenabeele, and after that I was asked to write the text to her strong version. The fairytale now is all about learning when to say no, and fighting back when danger comes your way. Since the colour red is already emphasized in the title: expect some blood! At first I thought the book might come off as too strong, but over the years it has become a favourite of many schoolgroups that I visit - and the scary parts apparently make (some of) them laugh a lot.
