The story of Little Red Riding Hood is set in contemporary urban Ghana. Cultural details abound in this hilarious retelling, such as Salma’s striped ntana, food baskets on the heads of the natives, a Ka Ka Motobi Bogeyman mask, Anansi the trickster, and West African musical instruments. Illustra tions are action packed and cartoonlike, and the universal message of this favorite fairy tale is clear. 2008 USBBY Outstanding International Books List, 2007 Parent’s Choice Award. mjw

Originally published as Pretty Salma by Frances Lincoln Great Britain, in 2006.

When Granny asks Pretty Salma to go to the market one day, she warns her not to talk to strangers. But cunning Mr. Dog tricks Salma, and before she knows it, he's wearing her stripy ntama, her pretty white beads, and her yellow sandals. And he's on his way to Granny's house! African culture and flavor infuse this inventive retelling of a favorite fairy tale, and the vibrant lively illustrations bring it to life. The result is a story that combines new and old and spans cultures as successfully as it has spanned the centuries.