RED RIDIN’ IN THE HOOD

Despite its silly (and arguably insulting) title, Marcantonio’s first collection exhibits a strong grasp on narrative and deft, if sometimes stereotypical, characterizations. These 11 traditional fairy tales, recast with Latino personae and often featuring Catholic overtones, range from the modern barrio (hence the title) to Maximilian and Carlota’s Mexico to the days of the Aztec. The most successful is “Belleza y La Bestia” (“Beauty and the Beast”), told by the beast himself as his beauty, a supporter of Benito Juárez, teaches him to care for others. While too many of the tales have obviously didactic endings and Marcantonio’s writing is more pop than distinguished, the narrative skill and the over-the-top attitude will appeal to readers ready for fractured fairy tales longer than The Stinky Cheese Man and the like. (glossary) (Fairytale. 4-7)