The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza)

Kids love pizza, and they will love this cleverly illustrated, up-to-date retelling of the traditional Little Red Hen story. In this new version, the intrepid fowl spies a can of tomato sauce in her cupboard and knows it's time to make a lovely little pizza.

Children will enjoy following the process of making a pizza as the Little Red Hen--who can get no help from the duck, the dog, or the cat--buys an appropriate pan, kneads the dough, cuts and chops vegetables (and other stuff) for a fabulous topping, and bakes a humongous pizza ("It was lovely, but it wasn't little"). Despite many a "Not I," the duck, the dog, and the cat finally do help out (of course) in ways that will surprise and delight young readers.

Amy Walrod's exuberant, witty cut-paper art combines interesting composition with humorous expression and detail to create a world that gives a special accent to the offbeat adaptation.

Philemon Sturges, an architect, is the author of Sacred Places, illustrated by Giles Laroche. He lives in Princeton, Massachusetts.