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Cassie and the Woolf
Caleb Woolf spots Cassie Cloak. She's carrying a huge box of food . . . and he is very, very hungry.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 23, 2013
We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but in this modern retelling, the main character is named Cassie Cloak, and she wears a red raincoat. Instead of taking nicely packed lunch from her mother, Cassie runs by the Deli in order to pick up her grandmother's Sunday dinner. Unlike the original tale, this story does not have a wolf, but a Woolf ~ an eighth grade boy named, Caleb Woolf.
I don't want to spoil Ms. Snowe's version of the tale. I will just say, it reads more like an episode of CSI or The Mentalist. All of the familiar characters are included Cassie Cloak (Red Riding Hood), Caleb Woolf (the Big Bad Wolf), Grandma, Dr. Hunter (the Lumberjack). No one gets eaten, but there is plenty of deception.
Personally, I don't care for the illustrations. The color scheme of black, white, and red fits well with the story line, but had I been reading a traditional copy of the book (not an e-book) I think the cartoonish illustrations might have been a distraction. However, they might be more appealing to the target age group.
At this time four books are to be released August 1st in the Twicetold Tales series. Included in the series are the following titles: Cassie and the Woolf, Girl and the Seven Thieves, Home in the Sky, and Sealed-Up House all written by Olivia Snowe. I have not had the opportunity to read the other titles, but the titles are intriguing.
At the end of the book there are some wonderful elements, including a brief synopsis of the original book first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.The author also gives the reader a chance to create their very own Twicetold Tale by making selections from a variety of lists. It is a great way to aide in the creative writing process and encourage young writers to blossom in a non-threatening manner. I think I would write my story about a princess who doesn't want to get married. She lives in a tree fort in New York City with a dog. One day is visited by the terrible queen who gives her a pretzel. Hmmm...I guess I need to add more details to make it a great story, but I have an outline, and so will anyone who reads this book and accepts the challenge.
I would highly recommend Cassie and the Woolf for school and public libraries.
*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Twice Told Tales has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.
I don't want to spoil Ms. Snowe's version of the tale. I will just say, it reads more like an episode of CSI or The Mentalist. All of the familiar characters are included Cassie Cloak (Red Riding Hood), Caleb Woolf (the Big Bad Wolf), Grandma, Dr. Hunter (the Lumberjack). No one gets eaten, but there is plenty of deception.
Personally, I don't care for the illustrations. The color scheme of black, white, and red fits well with the story line, but had I been reading a traditional copy of the book (not an e-book) I think the cartoonish illustrations might have been a distraction. However, they might be more appealing to the target age group.
At this time four books are to be released August 1st in the Twicetold Tales series. Included in the series are the following titles: Cassie and the Woolf, Girl and the Seven Thieves, Home in the Sky, and Sealed-Up House all written by Olivia Snowe. I have not had the opportunity to read the other titles, but the titles are intriguing.
At the end of the book there are some wonderful elements, including a brief synopsis of the original book first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.The author also gives the reader a chance to create their very own Twicetold Tale by making selections from a variety of lists. It is a great way to aide in the creative writing process and encourage young writers to blossom in a non-threatening manner. I think I would write my story about a princess who doesn't want to get married. She lives in a tree fort in New York City with a dog. One day is visited by the terrible queen who gives her a pretzel. Hmmm...I guess I need to add more details to make it a great story, but I have an outline, and so will anyone who reads this book and accepts the challenge.
I would highly recommend Cassie and the Woolf for school and public libraries.
*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Twice Told Tales has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.
June 6, 2013
Anyway I have been stewing about this review since I finished the book last night. On the one hand I love "fractured" fairy tales or fairy tales done in a different way. In this story Cassie (wearing a red raincoat) is picking up a meal for her and her grandmother to share. While she is waiting out a storm Caleb Woolf smells her delicious meal and approaches Cassie. When he finds out where she is going he races there ahead of her, gets into Grandma's apartment, and ties up Grandma. When Cassie arrives she ended up getting knocked out. Up to this point I was okay. Caleb almost got away with it but he left his hoodie behind and Cassie figured out it was him. This is where it gets sketchy. Cassie and Grandma decide to trap Caleb and get some revenge. They lure him back to the apartment with a promise of more food and when he gets there he finds himself locked in the apartment with the gas stove and oven on. Really??? I get that Little Red Riding Hood was violent but do we need to promote gassing and vigilante revenge. Maybe I am just being too old fashioned and a fuddy duddy but it didn't sit well with me. Sorry.
November 29, 2021
Oops, apparently I got carried away and ordered too many of these. They're so very short I will honor the consortium's generosity by continuing to read them, but gosh. This one in particular really missed the mark because it could have
Most of one star for concept of Red & Grandma saving themselves, and a star for the story prompts in the back.
Most of one star for concept of Red & Grandma saving themselves, and a star for the story prompts in the back.
June 6, 2018
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the other one that I read. Mostly because of the deception, revenge and almost murder on the behalf of Cassie and her Grandmother. I know in the original tale the wolf meets a violent end but this went a little too far. There are other ways this book could have played out to get him to confess his crimes. I will read more of this series but this one wasn’t for me.
March 29, 2020
Even as a juvenile book, this isn't great.
Spoilers
Grandma and Red lure the boy back to the house and poison him by leaving the gas on instead of calling the police...who had previously come and searched the house. They miss the obviously wet hoodie, and mom and grandma are ok with attempted murder? I mean, this all starts cause the boy doesn't want to have dinner with his moms boyfriend. So instead he enters and assaults an old lady.
As a retelling, it's just got no motive for plot.
Spoilers
Grandma and Red lure the boy back to the house and poison him by leaving the gas on instead of calling the police...who had previously come and searched the house. They miss the obviously wet hoodie, and mom and grandma are ok with attempted murder? I mean, this all starts cause the boy doesn't want to have dinner with his moms boyfriend. So instead he enters and assaults an old lady.
As a retelling, it's just got no motive for plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2021
I started reading this book thinking it was some kind of choose you own adventure book, which was my mistake. I'd read a few books by the same author; Olivia Snowe, and I thought they were choose your own adventures. The way these books are written targets a younger audience, I recommend this series to 7-10yr olds. The plot is simple and better for beginners, but overall, this book wasn't very good compared to the original Red Riding Hood classic.
November 13, 2018
According to my daughter she really liked the mystery and how Cassie got her revenge ;).
June 22, 2019
A cute story and a quick read. This was fun to read.
November 7, 2013
Cassie and the Woolf is a middle grade book written by Olivia Snowe and illustrated by Michelle Lamoreaux. This fractured fairy tale takes Red Riding Hood and gives it a modern twist. It all starts when Caleb Woolf spots Cassie Cloak. She's carrying a huge box of food in the rain, and he is very hungry. Caleb rushes ahead to grandma's house and does what he has to in order to get some food. Unfortunately for Caleb, Cassie and her grandmother are smart and get revenge for his actions.
I am a fan of reinterpreting and twisting up fairy tales, particularly when there is something honestly unique about the twists. However, while Cassie and the Woolf was well written it was not my favorite attempt at Red. First the good; I like that we have good characterization- we get a glimpse as to Cassie's life and her family as well as the particulars of her grandmother. Best of all, we get glimpses of why Caleb is who he is and how he became so desperate. It is not thrown in the face of the reader though, it is woven more subtly through the story. I liked the modern take on the tale, with the red rain coat and the real world setting. What I did not like was the retaliation taken by Cassie and her grandmother. I am all for teaching someone a suitable lesson, but I found their efforts a little extreme and very risky for everyone. While a dark or grim tale is expected, I think the limits were pushed a little too far for my taste. I was also left with the nagging feeling that had Caleb just asked for food, or Cassie noticed that her school mate was hungry, the whole conflict could have been avoided?
I think readers that seek out fair tale reinterpretations might enjoy Cassie and the Woolf, and it was well written, I do not feel that I can recommend it across the board. The resolution is a little to extreme in my eyes and might give the wrong message about vigilante justice to those that feel picked on or wronged. I think it would mostly appeal to mature readers in the middle grade or young adult age groups.
I am a fan of reinterpreting and twisting up fairy tales, particularly when there is something honestly unique about the twists. However, while Cassie and the Woolf was well written it was not my favorite attempt at Red. First the good; I like that we have good characterization- we get a glimpse as to Cassie's life and her family as well as the particulars of her grandmother. Best of all, we get glimpses of why Caleb is who he is and how he became so desperate. It is not thrown in the face of the reader though, it is woven more subtly through the story. I liked the modern take on the tale, with the red rain coat and the real world setting. What I did not like was the retaliation taken by Cassie and her grandmother. I am all for teaching someone a suitable lesson, but I found their efforts a little extreme and very risky for everyone. While a dark or grim tale is expected, I think the limits were pushed a little too far for my taste. I was also left with the nagging feeling that had Caleb just asked for food, or Cassie noticed that her school mate was hungry, the whole conflict could have been avoided?
I think readers that seek out fair tale reinterpretations might enjoy Cassie and the Woolf, and it was well written, I do not feel that I can recommend it across the board. The resolution is a little to extreme in my eyes and might give the wrong message about vigilante justice to those that feel picked on or wronged. I think it would mostly appeal to mature readers in the middle grade or young adult age groups.
October 11, 2013
I enjoy fairy tales that have been given a modern twist or a uniquely different ending. Twice Told Tales all re-imagine a familiar fairy tale. This one sets Little Red Riding Hood in modern Forestville and has Cassie Cloak picking up her grandmother's supper from the deli. Caleb Woolf is playing basketball with some friends nearby and sees the bags of food she is carrying. He decides it would be easy to get some free supper from the younger girl and her sick grandmother, so he sets off to do just that. Things don't go exactly as he has planned. Cassie and her grandmother have their own way of dispensing justice to the big, bad Woolf.
Choosing an urban setting in a modern city are just a few of the changes to the story that author Olivia Snowe makes in her retelling. You'll have to read it yourself to find out exactly what happens to Caleb, Cassie, and Grandmother. If you like it, then you should check out the rest of the series.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Choosing an urban setting in a modern city are just a few of the changes to the story that author Olivia Snowe makes in her retelling. You'll have to read it yourself to find out exactly what happens to Caleb, Cassie, and Grandmother. If you like it, then you should check out the rest of the series.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
June 14, 2013
Cassie is taking dinner to her grandma when she meets Caleb Woolf. He is hungry and tempted by the dinner she is carrying. So he rushes ahead to her grandma's house and locks grandma in the bathroom. When Cassie arrives she gets knocked out and Caleb takes off with dinner. Unfortunately, Caleb forgets his hoodie and Cassie knows who he is. So Cassie and Grandma get a little revenge on Caleb so that he learns his lesson.
I like fractured fairy-tales, but this one was not my favorite. The story was ok until the revenge part. I really just didn't like the ending. I also wish the illustrations were a little better.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers on Netgalley.
I like fractured fairy-tales, but this one was not my favorite. The story was ok until the revenge part. I really just didn't like the ending. I also wish the illustrations were a little better.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers on Netgalley.
July 20, 2013
Amo molto i retelling, e mi aspettavo qualcosa di più da Cappuccetto Rosso: e con "di più" intendo anche più coerenza, sia nella trama (...Nonna e nipotina vengono aggredite per rubare la cena? O.O E il colpevole si reinfila nell'appartamento attirato dal cibo, anche se teme dii esser stato riconosciuto? O.O) che nell'ambientazione (alla fine c'è un tocco di magia, che a mio parere stona con l'ambientazione moderna e molto concreta).Tra l'altro la vendetta messa in atto mi sembra di rara stupidità.
E' carino il personaggio di Cassie, moderna Cappuccetto Rosso con la testa fra i libri, ma il resto è perdibile.
E' carino il personaggio di Cassie, moderna Cappuccetto Rosso con la testa fra i libri, ma il resto è perdibile.
October 2, 2013
Full review available on my blog: http://destinydawnlong.wordpress.com/...
Excerpt:
When I first started reading, I was leaning toward a 3 star review. I liked the story, but wasn’t especially enthused. But once I started to probe the themes of the book, I realized that it’s exploring some pretty cool ideas–and was tempted to go higher. Then I realized that I did find the vigilante justice at the end of the book a little extreme (not the idea itself, but the specifics of what Grandma and Cassie did), so, 3 out of 5 stars it is.
Excerpt:
When I first started reading, I was leaning toward a 3 star review. I liked the story, but wasn’t especially enthused. But once I started to probe the themes of the book, I realized that it’s exploring some pretty cool ideas–and was tempted to go higher. Then I realized that I did find the vigilante justice at the end of the book a little extreme (not the idea itself, but the specifics of what Grandma and Cassie did), so, 3 out of 5 stars it is.
August 26, 2013
Seriously???? This is a freaking horrible message to give to kids - if someone does something horrible to you, do something even worse to get revenge and possibly get them killed in the meanwhile. The red-riding hood story is pretty twisted already but when you turn the wolf into a teenage boy and then have red riding hood try to GAS him to DEATH with help from granny, it just goes too far. I hope your kids don't read this, it's stupid and dangerous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2015
This entire series of Twice Told Tales looks like a cool spin on fractured fairy tales, but after reading this one I can tell you this: they are NOT for elementary kids. This is violent and creepy. I think this series would be awesome for struggling or reluctant readers in middle school who can handle the strange content. I'm afraid that at this reading level, little kids will pick it up and it will be too scary for them.
Very misleading!
Very misleading!
December 2, 2013
A modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a twist. Interspersed with engaging black and white illustrations with red accents, there are also red accents in the text to combine for a visually interesting read. My favorite part was the end of the book where there is a chart and instructions for creating your own twice told tale!
May 20, 2014
Hey, some really thoughtful line-by-line writing off the bat--and some quite fine basketball writing (you never know where you'll get that...but it's rare). The plot was nuts in the end. But I read it with my daughter in a single day and it was worthwhile for sure.
August 24, 2013
Read my review here. http://makingthemreaders.wordpress.co...
December 10, 2013
Cute middle grade modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with beautiful illustrations.
July 30, 2014
I like it
April 27, 2015
A modern version of Little Red Riding Hood. Geared to young readers - 1st through 3rd grade.
Want to read
January 26, 2016cool
June 30, 2016
Interesting take on a classic fairy tale. Seems a bit silly that he stole food, but I guess it works with the retelling of the story.
July 9, 2016
Short fun twisted tale about Little Red Riding Hood- Lots of crisp black and white pictures. I like how at the end there is some history\backstory about the original tale
May 28, 2017
I thought it was going to be a graphic novel, not a super short children's book.
June 28, 2013
Uh...okay.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews