Heather Forest’s lively retelling of this classic story is paired with Susan Gaber’s witty, wonderful illustrations. Gaber’s palette is warm and comforting, while her images inspire laugh-out-loud moments of humor. The dog, cat, and mouse the Little Red Hen repeatedly asks for help are three doe-eyed creatures sweet enough to rival the most saccharine baby animal portrait. But all are too busy playing (or, in the mouse’s case, reading translations of the word “mouse” in multiple languages) to help the hard-working hen. Can the wild-eyed chicken resist their limpid pools when the bread is hot and fresh? You bet she can! “Now . . . when the little Red Hen wants to bake, everyone helps to make the cake.” (Ages 4–7)

In Stone Soup, Heather Forest and Susan Gaber joined forces to breathe new life into a classic story. With The Little Red Hen, they have done it again. Who will help the hen bake her cake? You may think you know, but Heather Forest and Susan Gaber have a slightly different take on this communal, culinary creation.