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narflet's review
3.0
I read this because I'm friends with the grandson of the author. It was a fun little read which you can enjoy in little bites and each chapter is a story in itself that follows the same basic formula: the wolf wants to eat Polly, Polly outwits the wolf. Hope to read the other volumes in future.
hazelsf's review
5.0
Listened to the cassette audiobook on repeat as a child, it's why I grew up clever! Maybe?
rachelcabbit's review
4.0
This is the July Waterstones' Children's Book of the Month and while it is my first time reading it (I had not the pleasure of reading this during my childhood) I am glad that it was showcased and given some love from a modern readership. The book has never been out of print, but Catherine Storr's whimsical short stories about a small girl who regularly outsmarts a silly wolf obsessed with devouring little girls, is not one of those classic titles that springs to mind when listing children's books. It should be though.
I cannot wait to read this one day to my own future children.
The new edition from Puffin is packed with extras such as an excerpt from the sequel and facts about the author, wolves and the publishing of the book as well as quizzes and a recipe.
I cannot wait to read this one day to my own future children.
The new edition from Puffin is packed with extras such as an excerpt from the sequel and facts about the author, wolves and the publishing of the book as well as quizzes and a recipe.
stefhyena's review
3.0
At first you think it is just going to be predictable children's stories in the vein of things like [b:Brer Rabbit Book|1997146|Brer Rabbit Book|Enid Blyton|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|2000922] or Looney tunes (roadrunner for example). I thought it was ok on that level, sometimes a bit whimsical or sentimental but OK. But as I read on there was more to it.
There is the complexity of power and empowerment where Polly feels reliant enough upon her own wits to feed and rescue the wolf (but never speak kindly to him). I tied myself in knots thinking about that. On the one hand the wold plays a victim role constantly in Polly's life, on the other hand he is still a predator and she can't afford to let her guard down for a minute. There is also the complexity of having to navigate a world where her mother relies on her.
I read that the book was based on the author's real daughter's real phobia (as a child) about wolves and was a way of working through that. To me the book is more interesting when read this way, about a real little girl's grappling with an imagined wolf. If the wolf represents toxic anxiety and it is really about triumph over fear then I suddenly like it a lot.
Or it's just a predictable story where characters are quite unkind to each other. It's easy enugh to be a confidence booster for a primary school child (of either gender)
There is the complexity of power and empowerment where Polly feels reliant enough upon her own wits to feed and rescue the wolf (but never speak kindly to him). I tied myself in knots thinking about that. On the one hand the wold plays a victim role constantly in Polly's life, on the other hand he is still a predator and she can't afford to let her guard down for a minute. There is also the complexity of having to navigate a world where her mother relies on her.
I read that the book was based on the author's real daughter's real phobia (as a child) about wolves and was a way of working through that. To me the book is more interesting when read this way, about a real little girl's grappling with an imagined wolf. If the wolf represents toxic anxiety and it is really about triumph over fear then I suddenly like it a lot.
Or it's just a predictable story where characters are quite unkind to each other. It's easy enugh to be a confidence booster for a primary school child (of either gender)
theresidentbookworm's review
4.0
Thank God for retellings of Little Red Riding Hood that give Clever Polly a brain and some common sense. I like this version of the tale a lot. Polly has agency and wits, and the poor wolf cannot keep up. Recommended!
scaifea's review
2.0
Does just what it says on the tin: the bad wolf is dumb and the little girl is precocious. Meant for quite little ones, but also I think it hasn't aged very well.
lizziepurpleserenity's review
5.0
This was one of my favourite books when I was a kid, I think I loved how clever and calm Polly is in the face of danger, and how kindly she is to the wolf even though he wants to eat her. It's still entertaining!
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