Lon Po Po
translated and illustrated by Ed Young

Story Summary
This is a Chinese Red Riding Hood story of three young children whose mother goes off to visit their grandmother. That night, a wolf comes to the door, pretending to be their grandmother (or "Po Po"). The eldest child, Shang, asks why "she" comes so late and why her voice is so low, and the wolf finds excuses. When the two youngest children let the wolf in, he immediately blows out the candles so that the children cannot see him. He pretends to be sleepy, so they all go to bed. The children feel his tail, and he says it is hemp strings to weave them a basket. Finally, Shang lights the candle, and even though the wolf immediately blows it out, she sees his face. She gets her brother and sister out of the house by saying that they are going to pick gingko nuts for their grandmother, because they will make "her" live forever. The children climb to the top of the tree, and Shang tells her siblings that the "Po Po" in the house is really a wolf. They devise a plan to trick the wolf, and successfully kill it before their mother gets home.

Lesson Ideas

This book has wonderful writing and absolutely gorgeous illustrations. One might conduct a lesson very similar to that for Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, by comparing the details and themes of Lon Po Po and Little Red Riding Hood. It would also be helpful to try to find an Asian storyteller to come talk to the class. A geography lesson that day might include information about China, discussing lifestyles, foods, schools, imports and exports, etc. Teachers might also want to incorporate an art lesson that day, allowing children to experiment with the media of chalks and charcoals. Allow them to make their own creations, illustrate their favorite story, or have them create a whole-group mural retelling the story of Lon Po Po in their own way.