Lon Po Po

BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1996. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China. New York, NY: Penguin Group, Inc. ISBN 0698113829

PLOT SUMMARY
In this Chinese variant of Red-Riding Hood, translator and illustrator Ed Young introduces readers to this mysterious and stunning tale. A long time ago, a mother left her three young children, “Shang, Tao and Paotze” while she went to visit their grandmother. She warns the children to “close the door tight at sunset and latch it well”. As night falls, a clever wolf approaches and raps on the door. The children inquire “Who is it?” to which the wolf responds, “My jewels, it is your grandmother”…. “Po Po” cried the children in confusion. The children eventually let in their grandmother “Po Po” (who really is a wolf). After a few confusing events like “Po Po, your foot has a brush”? The children quickly figure out that this is not their “Po Po” but a wolf! They lure the wolf/grandmother out to a Ginkgo tree telling the wolf that the tree would provide eternal life. With the wolf’s mouth watering the children coax him to climb into a basket so they can lift him into the tree. It was this basket that led to the wolf’s death. On the next day, their mother returned where they shared the story with their mother the “Po Po” that came visiting.

Critical Analysis
Ed Young stays true to his culture and presents culturally authentic markers. These markers are not bold but gentle. His rendition of this variant of a Chinese folktale is subtle with characters having names like “Shang” or “Tao” and using terms like “Po Po”. He sets the tone for this suspenseful tale at the very beginning by providing the reader with a quote “To all the wolves of the world for lending their good name as a tangible symbol for our darkness.” Readers will sit on the edge of their chairs turning each page with eerie delight.

This Red-Riding Hood story is well told and is refreshingly entertainging. The plot is familar tale of good versus evil and children will follow along easily. The story is set in the country side of China. Children will enjoy retelling this story to friends, because we are all intrigued by the big bad wolf.

Young’s water color and pastel illustrations correctly casts darkness against light depicting the struggle of good versus evil. He presents his illustrations in multi panel panes that move the story along. Young captures the character’s feelings in their eyes and close ups of the wolf’s eyes. His color choices provoke a deep artistic thought several layers deep.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal- "A gripping variation on Red Riding Hood that involves three little sisters who outsmart the wolf.”

Publishers Weekly- “The juxtaposition of abstract and realistic representations, the complicated play of color and shadow, and the depth of the artist's vision all help transform this simple fairy tale into an extraordinary and powerful book.”

Other Books by Ed Young
Young, Ed. Seven Blind Mice. ISBN 9780399222610.
Young, Ed. The Lost Horse. ISBN 9780152010164.