I am So Clever

Mario Ramos (1958-2012) is a Belgian author and illustrator, whose work has been published all over the world and received many awards including the Prix Versele and the Prix des Critiques en Belgique. His books I Am So Strong and I Am So Handsome are also published in English by Gecko Press.

Little Red Riding Hood is on her way to Grandma's house when she encounters an especially wily wolf, who warns her of the dangers in the woods--like sharks. And we're off, through slightly unfamiliar terrain as poor, bumbling Wolf gets trapped outdoors wearing Grandma's nightgown, which results in case after case of mistaken identity. First, there's the huntsman, who's lost his glasses, then Seven Dwarfs sporting swim trunks, on their way to the creek--none of them recognize him for the terrifying creature he truly is. Wolf struggles to get out of the clinging nightie to no avail. When Little Red eventually reappears, the starving wolf leaps! And Red bursts out laughing, complimenting Grandma on her marvelous mask. The final scene shows the poor, defeated wolf, who has tripped on the hem of the nightie and broken all of his teeth, being helped out of the pesky garment by Little Red. The text is sprinkled with quaint vocabulary, and the bright, bold illustrations add plenty of humor. The one possibly frightening scene--where the wolf actually attacks--is somewhat mitigated due to his fuzzy pink nightgown. The Big Bad Wolf really gets his comeuppance in this delightful and fresh retelling, a worthy addition to the fractured fairy tale canon.--starred, Booklist-- "Journal" (3/12/2019 12:00:00 AM) The hapless wolf, who stars in the late Ramos's previous comedies, returns in this 'Little Red Riding Hood' send-up. Bold ink lines and forest-hued wash put the pint-size girl across the woodland path from the wolf's bristly fur and sharp incisors. In Burgess's fine translation, they greet each other with commendable civility, then move into repartee. 'You could meet some ferocious creature... like a shark!' the wolf warns, but the girl is sanguine: 'Everyone knows there are no sharks in the woods.' Though Grandma's not at home, Mr. Wolf slips successfully into her nightgown; amusement ensues when he gets locked out and encounters the rest of the fairy tale crowd. The three pigs, the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty's prince--each one has a word for the bonneted wolf. What happens when Red Riding Hood succeeds in freeing the wolf from his humiliating nightwear? Readers don't get to find out, but watching a villain's plans disintegrate is always a winning formula. Ages 4-7. (Apr.)--Publishers Weekly-- "Journal" (2/25/2019 12:00:00 AM)