Shaunda Kennedy Wenger

** originally posted at www.bunnycates.com **



I actually hadn’t planned on reading this book yet. I just popped it open to see if it was signed, since the author sent it to me directly, and somehow…I got sucked in. Before I realized what I was doing I was on page 30. haha. (My reading updates on GOODREADS)

This story follows Mackenzie, a seventh grader, who also happens to be half vampire. All she wants to do is be “normal” and go to her schools Halloween Ball. Unfortunately, her show more family has some strong traditions for Halloween, being as they are all vampires, werewolves, and MORE. =D We follow Mackenzie as she tries to scheme a way to get to her Halloween Ball in a Princess costume rather than something dead or some other scary thing.

I enjoyed the characters, they were all very likeable. Reading from Mackenzie’s perspective actually brought back a lot of memories and feelings from my own school days. I think a lot of kids will relate to feeling like they don’t fit in or are “different”. Queen MV, the mom in this story and coincidently a vampire, was great. My favorite of the entire cast had to be Aunt Wilma, with her one snaggletoof. haha.

Story wise, I thought this was a fun read. To me this book was like the Adams Family meets Dear Dumb Diary.

In Conclusion:

I enjoyed this book. It was a super quick read, and would definitely recommend to middle grade readers.

*Just a note: the edition I read did contain a few typos, but the author is doing a revision. They should be taken care of by the time you read this post. show less

This was a book given to me by my daughter for mothers day. It proved to be one of the favorite books I've read so far this year, a book you seriously have to read page by page. It's fun to read an excerpt and then realize it is from a book you have read. I will find a recipe or two or more to make as I do with all cookbooks I buy and review. I also bought three more copies of this and sent two to relatives who love to cook and one to the local Oyster House we love in town for the special show more pages about oysters!! What a fun read. show less

** Originally posted on www.BunnyCates.com **

I was pleasantly surprised how cute this book is! Not only did Mrs Wenger write an entertaining retelling (with an important lesson) but she illustrated it perfectly! There are the cutest hand drawn sketches through out the book that helped give the story the visual aspect that is so important to younger readers. They are also “line art” type sketches, so I can imagine many a little one would love to give this art work their very own flair show more with splashes of crayons!

Much like the classic Red Riding Hood, this version has a lesson to be learned and that lesson is “don’t judge a book by its cover” so to speak. Throughout her journey to Grandmothers house, Red meets a lot of new fun friends. True to the original, Red gets quite a surprise when she reaches her destination.

As a mom, I could see reading this to/with say 3 to 6 or 7 year olds. The story is a little quick read, and I think is sure to entertain. “Challenge” wise it was definitely under Bug’s reading level. She is 5th grade reading on 8th grade level, but story wise – she smiled the whole way through so I would say it would be a great pick for like 7 years and under. show less

Little Red Riding Hood apparently did not learn her lesson. She is heading back into the forest to take Grandmother a cake. Once again, a dark shadow follows her through the forest, then races ahead to prepare for Little Red’s visit. One wonders, did Grandmother learn anything? She is allowing Little Red Riding Hood to travel the forest once more. Do they believe the Wolf, “The Big Bad Wolf,” has left the forest for the city? One thing is for sure, it is never safe to walk these show more woods.

This is not a remake of the original Little Red Riding Hood. This is a new story for a new age. Little Red Riding Hood has a few surprises she did not have helping her the first time around. Maybe one was a gift from Snow White. No matter, “Little Red” listens not and proceeds to walk through the woods again, fully aware that eyes are upon her. The word play is fantastic. Children will be jumping in with glee to recite many of the verses. Each character’s voice is distinctive and parents will enjoy reading the different parts.

Rarely do I receive a book that makes me immediately dive in and read cover to cover. The cover is what piqued my interest in the first place. The author and illustrator are one. Ms. Wenger has done a marvelous job with both the text and the illustrations. Everything is original and fresh. This is a fun read that makes a great bedtime story or a wonderful choice for story hour. This is a well-written witty write (say that 3 times fast Big Bad Wolf). This should win awards for children's writing in 2011. You children will love reading the short chapter book -- so will you. This is a WINNER!

Note: received from author.
Review courtesy of Kid Lit Reviews . . . http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2011/09/12/little-red-rid…kennedy-wenger/ show less