Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together

Book excerpt: From New York Times bestselling author and former children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman comes a new collection of fresh read-aloud takes on eight favorite fairy tales, including "The Three Bears," "Cinderella," and "Little Red Riding Hood." Designed with emerging readers in mind, each of the tales is told in short rhyming dialogues—with each character's lines indicated by a different color—to be used as a script for two voices to read separately and together. Using traditional reading teaching techniques like alliteration, rhyme, repetition, and short sentences, the text invites young children to read along, while Michael Emberley's lively illustrations enhance the stories' humor and high spirits. Goldilocks, the Little Red Hen, the Three Little Pigs, and many more beloved characters star in these tales-with-a-twist that are perfect for early and reluctant readers, readers' theater, and bedtime fun. A 2005 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts by the Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teacher of English. Also chosen as a 2004 Gryphon Award Honor Book by the Center for Children's Books.