Little Red by Bethan Woolvin
Little Red by Bethan Woollvin is a bold, empowering reinvention of a well-known tale that sits at the heart of our Little Red Box. With its sharp wit, striking visuals, and quietly subversive message, it exemplifies the kind of book we champion—one that delights, surprises, and invites young readers to see the world a little differently.
Why we chose Little Red
At The StoryBox Co., we select books that open doors—to language, to imagination, to new ways of thinking. Little Red is a masterclass in how the picture book form can carry both simplicity and depth. Woollvin's version of the traditional tale doesn’t just update a story; it reclaims it.
1. Narrative power and agency
Woollvin’s Little Red is clever, calm, and totally unflappable. She doesn't scream or cry—she acts. This version shifts the focus from danger to resourcefulness, giving children a heroine who is not defined by fear but by agency. It’s a version of the tale that respects children’s intelligence and emotional resilience, and it naturally invites reflection on courage, autonomy, and what makes a hero.
2. Visual impact with room to interpret
Bethan Woollvin’s artwork is visually spare but emotionally rich. The limited palette of red, black, grey, and white adds drama, while her expressive characters and clever use of scale subtly build tension and suspense. The illustrations leave space for children to wonder: What’s really going on here? What will happen next? This openness supports storytelling, questioning, and inference-making, important skills at the heart of early literacy.
3. Reflects a modern, diverse world
Little Red challenges the outdated damsel-in-distress narrative and instead centres a child who takes control of her own story. Without preaching, it makes space for a strong, capable female lead—and encourages all children to consider themselves equally capable of facing challenges with calm determination. The tone is modern, the humour dry, and the message empowering without ever being heavy-handed.
4. Demands to be read aloud
With its rhythmic pacing and deliberate repetition, Little Red is a joy to read aloud. The restrained text is rich in storytelling cues, inviting readers to use voice and expression to bring the tale to life. It creates an intimate, shared experience—one that invites dramatic play and laughter, while gently encouraging critical thinking.
5. A book to grow with…
Little Red is deceptively simple—and that’s what makes it so powerful. It works beautifully with very young children, who will relish the strong visuals and familiar story pattern. But older readers will begin to spot the story’s nuance: the wolf’s manipulation, the protagonist’s quiet resolve, the ending’s clever twist. It’s a book that grows as they do—opening up discussion about safety, strategy, and storytelling itself.
Included in The Little Red Box
Little Red by Bethan Woollvin is the central story in The Little Red Box. Paired with a vivid red play silk from Sarah’s Silks, a beautifully crafted wooden wolf from Bumbu Toys, and a packet of versatile, eco-friendly Kitpas crayons, this StoryBox invites children to step into the world of Little Red and make the story their own. Whether they’re wrapping the silk around their shoulders to become the heroine, imagining new twists for the wolf, or drawing scenes from the forest, this box encourages rich, open-ended play. It’s a bold and creative retelling brought to life through storytelling, movement, and art—perfect for curious minds and imaginative hearts.