Tina Matthews’ surprising and fresh rendition of “The Little Red Hen” is distinguished by striking Japanese woodblock prints and unexpected twists to the storyline. The Little Red Hen plants and tends a seed without any help at all from the Fat Cat, Dirty Rat, or Greedy Pig, who reply to her requests for assistance with the familiar refrain: “Not I.” A sapling grows from the seed, and Little Red Hen weeds and shelters it on her own when they still refuse to help. Years pass, and the sapling has grown into a lovely tree that provides the perfect shelter for the Little Red Hen’s egg, out of which Little Red Chick hatches. Not long after, a little cat, little rat, and little pig appear, asking who will let them play under the tree. “Not I,” replies the Little Red Hen, shocking her offspring: “Mum, that’s MEAN!” Matthews’ handsome four-color woodblock illustrations are predominantly black and white, with judicious use of red (for the hen and chick) and green providing eye-catching contrast. (Ages 3–7)