about the book
When Little Red Riding Hood hears that her Aunt Rosie is ill and covered in red spots, she leaps into action! Grabbing medicine and a box of donuts as a special treat for Aunt Rosie, Little Red sets off through the jungle and grassy plains to bring her aunt some healing medicine.
Little Red slips under the legs of towering giraffes, skips past cheeky, chatty monkeys, and prances over slumbering crocodiles on her way. But what is that, peering through the trees at her? Could it be…The Very Hungry Lion?!
It is The Very Hungry Lion, and he is planning on a two-course dinner tonight—first Aunt Rosie for an appetizer, and then Little Red for the main course! What will Little Red do when she arrives to find the toothy beast in bed where Aunt Rosie should be?
about the author/illustrator
Alex T. Smith is an award-winning illustrator and author. He’s wanted to be an author and illustrator since he was four years old! He was inspired by his grandfather, who was a writer, too. Each afternoon, Alex’s grandfather would pop by to take care of Alex’s dog, and he would leave a story behind for Alex to find. These little stories inspired in Alex a love for writing, illustrating, and telling his own stories!
Aside from being an author and illustrator, Alex has worked as a production assistant for an outdoor theatre company, and he holds a degree in Illustration. His artwork was noticed by big-wig agents before he’d even graduated, so Alex was set up with a job before leaving college!
Alex works in his home office, where he has a long desk that faces a huge window. He often has a dog or two or three in his lap as he works, which is certainly a distraction…especially when his pups are trying to steal his biscuits! Alex’s office also houses a large bookshelf of old sketchpads and reference books.
Alex finds inspiration for his work absolutely everywhere—it may come from his pups, or from his nieces, nephews, or godchildren. It could come from old photos, memories, television shows or films, storyboards from animated movies, or vintage fashion and costumes. Alex is also a professional people-watcher and eavesdropper—he is always on the hunt for his next inspiration, and being observant is an important part of finding new ideas!
When Alex isn’t working, he loves to read, doodle, and enjoy a cup of tea with a biscuit (or cookie). His advice to a young author or illustrator is to be confident, and to be sure you put yourself in your writing; that way, your writing or artwork is sure to have its own unique flavor!
Alex currently lives in the United Kingdom with his three little dogs: Coco, Mr. Bongo, and Lucy Locket.
Sources:
Author/Illustrator website
Author/Illustrator: We Red Writer
Author interview: Me Books
Also by Alex T. Smith:
Home. Tiger Tales. 2010.
read more!
Home by Alex T. Smith
A badger, reindeer, bunny, and bear live together in a cozy home. When they have a fight and decide to split up, each critter takes part of the house. But a door alone doesn’t make a good home—can the four friends apologize and build a brand new home all together?
Honestly, Little Red Riding Hood Was Rotten! (Other Side of the Story) by Trisha Speed Shaskan
The truth, as the Wolf sees it, is very different than what those sorry excuses for journalists—the Brothers Grimm—have reported. The very idea that Wolf would eat a girl and her grandmother… Why, he’s a vegetarian! If you want to know what really happened, you had better get the Wolf’s story straight.
Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz
Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone ninja skills, huffing and puffing hasn’t been enough to get Wolf a good meal. As a result he’s been taking classes at the dojo. Now he’s ready to try out his new moves. A little girl and her granny should be easy targets—right?