Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

Last updated September 3, 2004

Author: Ed Young
Illustrator: Ed Young
Date of Publication: 1989
ISBN: 0399216197
Grade Level: 2nd
Date(s) Used: September 2004

Synopsis: Three little girls spare no mercy to Lon Po Po, the granny wolf, in this version of Little Red Riding Hood where they tempt her up a tree and over a limb, to her death.

Discussion topics for before reading:

• Do you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood?  (Explain).
• Have your parents ever gone out and had you stay with your siblings or a babysitter? What was that like?

Discussion topics for after reading:

• How was the story different from and similar to Little Red Riding Hood?
• What is the lesson from this story?
• Who outsmarts who in this story? How do they do that?
• If a wolf pretended to be your grandmother, would you notice?

Craft ideas:

• Make stick puppets of the characters and re-enact.
• Make a wolf mask.

Special challenge:

• Play Red Rover, Red Rover.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!