There are some stories that have been passed on for generations- fables, fairy tales, and folktales. And the Little Red Hen is one that is told time and time again. Enjoy these Little Red Hen stories from the original to very updated variations. We just love books for kids!
Little Red Hen Books- Traditional Tales
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There are lots of illustrated retellings and illustrated takes of the traditional story. Here are a few of my top picks.
One of my favorite classic tellings of the book is The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone. The hen wants to make bread and is in search of some help. But, the other animals have no desire to help with the tasks that need to be done. That is until it is time for the bread to be eaten. Then, everyone is ready to help.
And, then we have the amazing illustrations of Jerry Pinkney’s take on The Little Red Hen.
The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton is a good pick for the youngest listeners.
Little Red Hen Story Variations
The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier is a variation of the traditional story. Ruby wants to build a fort but her three brothers don’t want to help with the planning or building. However, when it comes time to play in the fort, the brothers come up with a creative way to add to the fort. I even have a whole Book Dive for The Little Red Fort for you to enjoy with the kids.—>Little Red Fort Book Dive
Little Red Henry by Linda Urban and Madeline Valentine is the story a little boy with a very doting family. They do everything for him. But, he really wants to do some things for himself. But, will things to to far?
Mañana Iguana by Ann Whitford Paul is the story of Iguana planning a fiesta. Will her friends help? A glossary of Spanish words is included.
Little Red Hen wants to make guacamole in Holy Squawkamole! by Susan Wood. However, Armadillo, Iguana, Coati, and Snake have no interest in collecting the ingredients needed to make the tasty dish. A recipe for guacamole is included in the back of the book along with a glossary. A fun read for Cinco de Mayo!
And, read the Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges. Duck, Dog and Cat are too busy to help Hen make the pizza, but in the end, they help in a big way!
Rooster pulls out his Great Granny’s cookbook and finds a yummy recipe for strawberry shortcake in Cook-a-Doodle Doo by Janet Stevens. He then finds some friends- Turtle, Iguana and Potbellied Pig to help him create the dessert. Well, lots of mistakes and learning along the way finally result in a yummy strawberry delight. I even have a whole Family Dinner Book Club to pair with this book.—>Cook-a-Doodle-Doo Family Dinner Book Club
The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman is preparing for a seder meal and needs help growing wheat for the matzah and none of the farm animals want to help.
The Little Green Hen by Alison Murray is a variation with an environmental spin. Hen is looking for help in pruning dead branches, keeping pests under control, and sowing seeds. This would be a good pick for Earth Day or a unit on growing.
The Little Green Witch by Barbara Barbieri McGrath decides to plant pumpkin seeds for a pumpkin pie. A lot of work goes into the care of the pumpkins and the other creatures don’t want to help. But, they sure want to eat the pie. However, the witch has a spell up her sleeve.
The Little Red Pen is a loose variation of the original. In this longer story, The Little Red Pen by Janet Stevens needs helps grading papers. But, stapler, thumbtack, highlighter, eraser, pencil, and scissors are not wanting to help. But, in the end the office supplies come to the rescue. This one is best for first grade and up to understand the humor and for the attention span.
All By Myself by Stephanie Shaw definitely has some elements from the original story but it really flips the story upside down. You see Hen just wants to do things for herself. She doesn’t need help. And that even applies to dealing with a hungry fox. Can the other animals stay out of her way and let her do her thing?
Little Red Printable List of Books
Get a printable list of the books above. Just click the purple download printer button below.
Little Red Hen Activities
My friend Mary Catherine at Fun-a-Day has a wonderful sensory experience to go with the Little Red Hen that would be perfect to use for a story retelling.—>Little Red Hen Sensory Experience
Grab my free printable activities to go with The Little Red Hen. There is a printable emergent reader and a beginning sound activity to enjoy with the book.—>Little Red Hen Activities
And, then read Little Red Fort and get my in-depth Book Dive to go with that book.—>Little Red Fort Book Dive
“I will!” read all The Little Red Hen books.
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