Primary National Strategy This is an interactive reading text, assembled using screens from MY WORLD 3 : Literacy Through Traditional Tales VIEW this SLIDE SHOW to activate. Then Click on the book to start Use Esc to quit

Click on each character to see what they are thinking. Then click on them again to return to the story. Little Red Riding Hood is walking through the forest. It is quite dark and lonely, but she is not frightened. Earlier her mother asked her to take a basket of goodies to her old Grandmother. It must be Thursday. Soon the Big Bad Wolf will stop her and talk to her. Perhaps she will be frightened then!

Actually, my mummy thinks I'm a nice little wolf! Here comes dinner - if I’m clever enough to catch it. They don’t call me the Big Bad Wolf for nothing you know. What do the others think? Little Red: I’ve never met a wolf, yet – so I haven't thought about him at all really. Woody: I’ll keep my eye on that wolf. He looks to me like he’s up to no good. Fortunately, I’m here to watch out for everyone. Gran: I’ve lived in this forest all my life. There isn’t anything you can tell me about wolves.

What do the others think? Woody: The silly girl. No sense at all. Fancy wandering about the forest talking to wolves. It’s a good job I’m here to watch out for her. Gran: Pretty enough ears - nothing but air between them. I tell you, she doesn’t take after my side of the family. Wolf: Easy pickings. I’ll send her off the wrong way, then nip to the cottage and get there before her. Grandma will be so pleased to see me. My bright little face will cheer up up her whole day. I’ll just eat one or two of these cakes.

What do the others think? Little Red: I do wish I didn’t have to go to see Grandma every Thursday – she’s grumpy, and she smells a bit too. Woody: Salt of the earth that Grandma. (We old traditional characters always stick up for each other, you know.) Wolf: I wouldn’t want to eat that stringy old crow. I’m not that desperate I can tell you. My daughter usually sends Little Red Riding Hood along with goodies on a Thursday afternoon. I don’t really want to see that daft girl, but a few cakes for tea would be nice. I know it’s only dinner time but I think I’ll go back to bed and snuggle down for a little nap. Perhaps she’ll take the hint and just leave the cakes outside the door.

They call me Woody Woodcutter. Ha ha ha ha ha! I don’t just cut wood,you know. Superhero of the fairy tales is what I am, This forest would be a far more dangerous place without me, I can tell you. What do the others think? Little Red: He reminds he of a big cuddly teddy bear with a huge axe. Gran: Pompous oaf. Wolf: Thinks he’s big does that woodcutter. Thinks he’s clever too – but not clever enough for the BBW! (I have to say, I’m just a bit worried by that axe though!)

The Big Bad Wolf has got to Grandma’s cottage first. He doesn’t want to eat Grandma, but he wants her out of the way. Earlier Grandma felt like a nap. She went back to bed. She put on her hat, though, just in case anyone called. Soon she will scream the house down, and rush off to hide in the cupboard.

Strange time of day to be in bed, if you ask me! Especially as she was up and dressed an hour ago. Now look here. I don’t want to have to eat you. So if you wouldn’t mind screaming and rushing off to hide in that cupboard for a bit. And what’s with that hat? In bed? What do the others think? Little Red: I’ve already forgotten the wolf I met – so I still haven't thought about him at all. Woody: Was I right or was I right? They don’t call him the Big Bad Wolf for nothing. I can feel another Woody rescue coming on. Gran: Never trust a wolf with shifty eyes, I say.

Now, you can’t tell me much about wolves that I don’t know. And I know this one is about to eat me. So I think I’ll just scream and rush off to hide in that cupboard for a bit. So much for having a cosy nap then! What do the others think? Little Red: She can’t hear very well – but it never stops her talking. Woody: She’s entitled to be a bit grumpy at her age. Who wouldn’t be? Wolf: I don’t mind them grouchy – but stringy? No way!

What do the others think? Woody: She may be a silly little girl, but she looks to me for protection. And quite right too. Gran: With a bit of luck she might get lost in the forest. No good. Then I wouldn’t get my yummy cakes. Wolf: Being my dinner will be the most use she’s ever been to anyone. Little Red Riding Hood is still waking through the forest. She isn’t thinking anything at all. (But she is eating quite a few of the cakes.)

You might think I’m a long way off outside. But actually I’ve shrunk and I’m standing on the window ledge. Just keeping my eye on that wolf. Doing my job, you see, and protecting the good folk of the forest. What do the others think? Little Red: He’s like a cuddly teddy bear with an axe, and a red beard. Gran: He thinks he’s a hero – but he couldn’t save his breath. Wolf: Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Woodcutter? Not me. (That axe is another matter though.)

Now Grandma is hiding in the cupboard as requested. The BBW had taken her place in bed, wearing Grandma’s hat and spectacles. Not long ago LRRH arrived. She and the BBW went through that whole “Oh Grandma” thing. “Oh Grandma” Soon WW will rush in. He will frighten off the BBW with his huge axe and they will all live happily (or grumpily) ever after.

Oh no here comes the incredible shrinking woodcutter... with an incredibly enormous axe. Time for me to scarper, I think. But don’t worry. I’ll be back. How stupid is this hat? I feel such a fool wearing it. What do the others think? Red: She’s not nearly as grumpy as last time I came. (Still thinks it’s Grandma!) Woody: I suppose he has to be in the story so that I can save everyone from him. Gran: Perhaps I should have bashed him with a frying pan instead of hiding in the cupboard.

My Gran is SO sweet. I can’t think why I didn’t like her. Cool! When I grow old I shall wear a purple hat, just like that. What do the others think? Woody: Her mother would never forgive me if anything happened to her.. But of course it won’t, with me around. Gran: My goodies! I’ll give her goodies. I’ll give her a piece of my mind, too. Wolf: She’ll be even plumper and tastier in a few more weeks.

Only one little cake? I hope they don’t forget about me in here. I haven’t spent all my life getting older and wiser just to end up in a cupboard, you know. What do the others think? Little Red: I bet she has a go at me for eating all her goodies. Woody: I remember when she was just a girl... Come to think of it she was grumpy even as a child. Wolf: I’m glad she hid in the cupboard instead of hitting me with a frying pan.

Woody saves the day once more. How I frightened that wolf. I bet he didn’t stop running for a hundred miles. He won't ever show his face in this neck of the woods again, I can tell you. What do the others think? Little Red: My hero! Gran: If he think I’m going to marry him just because he frightened away one scrawny little wolf he’s got another think coming. Wolf: See you soon mate.

LRRH: Oh Grandma, what big eyes you have. BBW: All the better to see you with, my dear. LRRH: Oh Grandma what big ears you have (under that hat). BBW: Pardon? I can’t hear very well with this hat on, my dear. LRRH: By the way, what time is it? BBW: (fiercely) Dinner time!.... LRRH: Oh that reminds me. Mummy sent you this one little cake.