Busy illustrations, humorously fractured fairy tales and a simple pattern that encourages audience participation ensure that this will see repeat readings. Each set of two double-page spreads is dedicated to a different fairy tale: Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks. But these are not your traditional stories. “Sticks? / Yes. / Straw? / Yes. / Bricks? / Yes. / Solar panels? / Nooooo!” A turn of the page unveils an unconventional scene—brick house outfitted with solar panels, wolf campaigning for wind energy and pigs working in their organic garden: “Well, maybe.” Other wackiness includes wolves at a beauty salon, Jack’s giant as a waiter in a spaghetti restaurant and a disco Cinderella. By beginning with Codell’s creative less-is-more setup, Chavarri’s illustrations end by stealing the show. Her brightly colored digital artwork is full of so many funny details that children will find something new with each re-reading. This will certainly keep kids on their toes as they try to guess what is coming—no maybes about that. (Picture book. 4-8)
