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Holy Squawkamole!: Little Red Hen Makes Guacamole
This tasty take on the classic Little Red Hen story has a deliciously spicy twist!
Yum, guacamole! That's what Little Red Hen craves, and she could use some help gathering and mashing the ingredients. So she asks her friends, including an armadillo, snake, and iguana, to lend a hand. Every one just says "no." But after Little Red Hen works hard to make the scrumptious fresh guac, all the animals want a taste. In a fun departure from the original tale, Little Red Hen cooks up a comeuppance for the slackers that they'll never forget!
Yum, guacamole! That's what Little Red Hen craves, and she could use some help gathering and mashing the ingredients. So she asks her friends, including an armadillo, snake, and iguana, to lend a hand. Every one just says "no." But after Little Red Hen works hard to make the scrumptious fresh guac, all the animals want a taste. In a fun departure from the original tale, Little Red Hen cooks up a comeuppance for the slackers that they'll never forget!
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2019
42 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wood
6 books13 followers"The Babbling Brook."
Third grade, eight lines. First prize in a school-district-wide poetry contest.
My little ode to a runoff creek that ran through our Northern California subdivision was published in a paperback compilation of schoolkids' poems, plus posted under glass in my city's central library, blue ribbon attached, for all to see.
I was hooked.
Writing was fun to do, like stringing beads or working a puzzle, each word carefully chosen and placed just so. And now it could earn me the admiration of my peers, the approval of teachers and parents, and a niche to call my own. As the eternal new kid—Dad's climb up the corporate ladder kept us moving every couple of years—I was always struggling to fit in. Writing helped me find my place.
In sixth grade, I made my first submission to a publishing house. What did I know? It was the opening chapter of a great lost-on-a-desert-island epic, heavily influenced by Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins and Noel Streatfield's Ballet Shoes. Needless to say, the form rejection letter arrived a few weeks later.
I focused on other things throughout high school and college. I studied film and TV production at New York University and earned my degree. But I eventually returned to writing, as a music industry publicist in New York City. Penning press releases and artist bios led to writing newspaper and magazine articles, and, ultimately, I became an author.
I'm fascinated by the stories of people's lives, so I specialize in biography and history for young people.
My mother's a piano teacher, my father sings, one brother's a professional guitarist, and my other two brothers are drummers, so it's no surprise that I'm a huge music fan (growing up, I played piano, violin, clarinet, and bassoon, and danced ballet for many years). I love art, as well, and enjoy spending time in nature. I've written several books about music, art, conservation, and the natural world.
I also have a special interest in the Underground Railroad and the era of American slavery. My ancestors were abolitionists who housed and assisted runaway slaves in Western New York. I discovered this fact while researching my family tree; it has inspired one of my current projects, a work-in-progress historical novel for middle-grade readers.
And I'm obsessed with the UK—I dream of one day living in a quaint village in my ancestral homeland, England's Yorkshire Coast. Pinkies up!
Third grade, eight lines. First prize in a school-district-wide poetry contest.
My little ode to a runoff creek that ran through our Northern California subdivision was published in a paperback compilation of schoolkids' poems, plus posted under glass in my city's central library, blue ribbon attached, for all to see.
I was hooked.
Writing was fun to do, like stringing beads or working a puzzle, each word carefully chosen and placed just so. And now it could earn me the admiration of my peers, the approval of teachers and parents, and a niche to call my own. As the eternal new kid—Dad's climb up the corporate ladder kept us moving every couple of years—I was always struggling to fit in. Writing helped me find my place.
In sixth grade, I made my first submission to a publishing house. What did I know? It was the opening chapter of a great lost-on-a-desert-island epic, heavily influenced by Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins and Noel Streatfield's Ballet Shoes. Needless to say, the form rejection letter arrived a few weeks later.
I focused on other things throughout high school and college. I studied film and TV production at New York University and earned my degree. But I eventually returned to writing, as a music industry publicist in New York City. Penning press releases and artist bios led to writing newspaper and magazine articles, and, ultimately, I became an author.
I'm fascinated by the stories of people's lives, so I specialize in biography and history for young people.
My mother's a piano teacher, my father sings, one brother's a professional guitarist, and my other two brothers are drummers, so it's no surprise that I'm a huge music fan (growing up, I played piano, violin, clarinet, and bassoon, and danced ballet for many years). I love art, as well, and enjoy spending time in nature. I've written several books about music, art, conservation, and the natural world.
I also have a special interest in the Underground Railroad and the era of American slavery. My ancestors were abolitionists who housed and assisted runaway slaves in Western New York. I discovered this fact while researching my family tree; it has inspired one of my current projects, a work-in-progress historical novel for middle-grade readers.
And I'm obsessed with the UK—I dream of one day living in a quaint village in my ancestral homeland, England's Yorkshire Coast. Pinkies up!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 8, 2022
Nice take on 'The Little Red Hen' story with a wonderful guacamole recipe at the end! This is the perfect book to read at a family BBQ; books about food that you will be having - a large bowl of guacamole just sitting there! I have to admit I might be a little biased: I LOVE GUACAMOLE! Really liked the art!
April 16, 2019
In a take on the old Little Red Hen story, this Little Red Hen makes guacamole and nobody wants to help her prepare the ingredients or do the cooking. But, they're happy to eat it when she's finished the job. Little Red Hen gives them all a surprise by making it extra spicy.
I love the illustrations, love the fact that this book has a guacamole recipe (gah, I love guacamole) but I thought the revenge was a little weak. I like the original better because of the lesson about laziness. Still, it's a fun story with lots of extras (the history of guacamole and a glossary of Spanish terms used in the book) and I like looking at it so much that I couldn't bear to go any lower than 4/5. I kind of want to hug it. Maybe it's just because I love guacamole.
I love the illustrations, love the fact that this book has a guacamole recipe (gah, I love guacamole) but I thought the revenge was a little weak. I like the original better because of the lesson about laziness. Still, it's a fun story with lots of extras (the history of guacamole and a glossary of Spanish terms used in the book) and I like looking at it so much that I couldn't bear to go any lower than 4/5. I kind of want to hug it. Maybe it's just because I love guacamole.
March 3, 2019
Cameron really enjoyed the repeated phrases and vivid illustrations, and I appreciated the new twist on “little red hen” with the bonus of some Spanish vocabulary and a little cooking lesson, but I always hate that her animal “friends” don’t help her out and this version has all the lazy layabouts enjoying the fruits of her labor!
February 2, 2020
Holy Squawkamole! Little Red Hen Makes Guacamole by Susan Wood, illustrated by Laura Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2019. $17. 9781454922537
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A little red hen is trying to make guacamole and asks for help from a variety of friends. They are each unwilling to help but want to be notified when the guacamole is done. Little Red Hen does include them when it is time to eat, but the guacamole is very spicy.
It was unclear to me if the spiciness of the guacamole was meant as a punishment, which would be an inappropriate reaction to others not helping. I liked that the book included an informational section in the back with a recipe and the history of guacamole as well as a glossary of the spanish words used.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A little red hen is trying to make guacamole and asks for help from a variety of friends. They are each unwilling to help but want to be notified when the guacamole is done. Little Red Hen does include them when it is time to eat, but the guacamole is very spicy.
It was unclear to me if the spiciness of the guacamole was meant as a punishment, which would be an inappropriate reaction to others not helping. I liked that the book included an informational section in the back with a recipe and the history of guacamole as well as a glossary of the spanish words used.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 29, 2019
Such a cute and funny hispanic retelling of the Little Red Hen.
April 10, 2019
This speaks to me.
April 10, 2019
I love the story of the Little Red Hen and I love spicy guacamole. Perfect combo!
November 25, 2019
It was so fun to read with the girls that we read it twice.
June 17, 2019
Bookaday #25. Love this fractured fairy tale version of the little red hen. Illustrations are delightful, back matter contains the recipe, history of the snack, and extensive glossary. Need to work this into a library lesson/story time soon!
April 6, 2019
This is a retelling of Little Red Hen with a spicy, delicious twist.
The hen wants to make a scrumptious guacamole, but she's missing a few ingredients. That's fine; fresh is always best. And off she goes to get them, but the different vegetables, fruits and spices aren't as easy to pluck as she'd hoped. Another animal is always there who could help, but they're wrapped up in predicaments of their own, forcing her to do it all by herself. When the guacamole is ready, she asks who wants to eat it. Of course, all are ready to jump in. But this hen has planted a small surprise.
It's not hard to see the original story twisted into this guacamole surprise, but it still comes across fun and fresh. The cast of characters is original and fitting to the culture, not to mention the well-laid dab into the culture, which is sure to enrich the knowledge of little listeners. The text is simple enough for the younger aged listening groups and yet exciting enough for the slightly older too. Sprinkle in the fun outbursts—Holy Squawkamole!—and it's a delight for kids, especially as a read aloud.
The illustrations are bright and bold, and depict everything with enough reality to pull in to the scenes and inform young listeners at the same time. The emotions and animal characters' quirks come across nicely as well.
At the end of the book, there are several factual pages. The history of guacamole as well as a recipe insure young listeners will come out knowing more and be ready to gain hands on experience by creating their own delicious food.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the tale.
The hen wants to make a scrumptious guacamole, but she's missing a few ingredients. That's fine; fresh is always best. And off she goes to get them, but the different vegetables, fruits and spices aren't as easy to pluck as she'd hoped. Another animal is always there who could help, but they're wrapped up in predicaments of their own, forcing her to do it all by herself. When the guacamole is ready, she asks who wants to eat it. Of course, all are ready to jump in. But this hen has planted a small surprise.
It's not hard to see the original story twisted into this guacamole surprise, but it still comes across fun and fresh. The cast of characters is original and fitting to the culture, not to mention the well-laid dab into the culture, which is sure to enrich the knowledge of little listeners. The text is simple enough for the younger aged listening groups and yet exciting enough for the slightly older too. Sprinkle in the fun outbursts—Holy Squawkamole!—and it's a delight for kids, especially as a read aloud.
The illustrations are bright and bold, and depict everything with enough reality to pull in to the scenes and inform young listeners at the same time. The emotions and animal characters' quirks come across nicely as well.
At the end of the book, there are several factual pages. The history of guacamole as well as a recipe insure young listeners will come out knowing more and be ready to gain hands on experience by creating their own delicious food.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the tale.
April 11, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Okay everyone knows the story of Chicken Little. If you don’t get the book and read it.
This book… what a brilliant and charming retelling of a classic tale. There’s a Spanish spin put on the story with cute creatures prevalent to Mexico. I absolutely loved this story. You learn a few Spanish words too along the way and food more known for the culture such as tortilla, burrito, taco, etc. At the back of the book is the story of Guacamole and a glossary of terms seen throughout the story.
You even get a recipe!
What a great idea.
The artwork fit the story perfectly, using traditional colors to accent the cultural atmosphere of the book. The hardcover is a full illustration and an identical copy of the book jacket. All the colors are rich and exuberant.
Susan Wood is an award-winning author of many books for young readers and you can find her books at susanwoodbooks.com
What I found most interesting about the illustrator is that she works in both traditional and digital medium like me!! I haven’t seen too many of us around so finding this out was a thrill. Laura Gonzalez is a member of the Mexican Association of Illustrators.
You can visit holysquawkamole.com for activities, recipes, and more!
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Okay everyone knows the story of Chicken Little. If you don’t get the book and read it.
This book… what a brilliant and charming retelling of a classic tale. There’s a Spanish spin put on the story with cute creatures prevalent to Mexico. I absolutely loved this story. You learn a few Spanish words too along the way and food more known for the culture such as tortilla, burrito, taco, etc. At the back of the book is the story of Guacamole and a glossary of terms seen throughout the story.
You even get a recipe!
What a great idea.
The artwork fit the story perfectly, using traditional colors to accent the cultural atmosphere of the book. The hardcover is a full illustration and an identical copy of the book jacket. All the colors are rich and exuberant.
Susan Wood is an award-winning author of many books for young readers and you can find her books at susanwoodbooks.com
What I found most interesting about the illustrator is that she works in both traditional and digital medium like me!! I haven’t seen too many of us around so finding this out was a thrill. Laura Gonzalez is a member of the Mexican Association of Illustrators.
You can visit holysquawkamole.com for activities, recipes, and more!
May 17, 2019
Holy Squawkamole! By Susan Wood with illustrations by Laura Gonzalez is a lively twist on the traditional tale, The Little Red Hen.
In this rollicking Southwestern-themed story, the Little Red Hen hankers after some guacamole and tries to enlist the help of Coati, Armadillo, Snake, and Iguana to gather the ingredients from her garden and then mash and mix them in her cocina. True to the original plot, everyone has an excuse to avoid the work, but each is quick to offer to share in the treat. So, the Little Red Hen, la gallinita roja, gathers avocados, plucks tomatoes, digs onions, and snips cilantro all by herself. She mashes and mixes all by herself. Then … she adds a secret ingredient and invites all the lazy animals to share in the dish.
The lively text utilizes Spanish terms that are cleverly integrated into the narrative. Gonzalez’s vibrant illustrations are detailed and warmly appealing.
Wood enriches the content with two author notes: The History of Guacamole traces this delectable dish back to ahuacamolli (avocado sauce) first made by the Aztecs of Mexico in the 1300s. And there is also, La Gallinita Roja’s Guacamole Recipe with some helpful hints.
A glossary provides definitions for the Spanish terms.
Recommended for young readers or as a read aloud.
In this rollicking Southwestern-themed story, the Little Red Hen hankers after some guacamole and tries to enlist the help of Coati, Armadillo, Snake, and Iguana to gather the ingredients from her garden and then mash and mix them in her cocina. True to the original plot, everyone has an excuse to avoid the work, but each is quick to offer to share in the treat. So, the Little Red Hen, la gallinita roja, gathers avocados, plucks tomatoes, digs onions, and snips cilantro all by herself. She mashes and mixes all by herself. Then … she adds a secret ingredient and invites all the lazy animals to share in the dish.
The lively text utilizes Spanish terms that are cleverly integrated into the narrative. Gonzalez’s vibrant illustrations are detailed and warmly appealing.
Wood enriches the content with two author notes: The History of Guacamole traces this delectable dish back to ahuacamolli (avocado sauce) first made by the Aztecs of Mexico in the 1300s. And there is also, La Gallinita Roja’s Guacamole Recipe with some helpful hints.
A glossary provides definitions for the Spanish terms.
Recommended for young readers or as a read aloud.
May 24, 2019
Such a great retelling of The Little Red Hen. I loved the glossary in the back for all the Spanish words and the guacamole recipe. I’ll definitely be getting this one for my school library.
March 22, 2019
Guacamole is a favorite in our house; we can't get enough of it. So our mouths were watering just a bit as we read this fun twist on the traditional story of The Little Red Hen. In this fun picture book, Little Red Hen is making the tasty treat, but she can't get any of her friends Coati, Armadillo, Snake, or Iguana to help out. When she is finally ready to share her snack, she extends grace to her friends, but she has included a secret ingredient that gets their attention! This book has a glossary to help young readers understand some of the Spanish words and phrases that have been included in the story, there's an informational note about guacamole, and (best of all) there's a recipe for guacamole so hungry readers can make their own!
May 2, 2019
This is a really fun narrative that follows a familiar narrative pattern and interweaves Spanish words into the primarily English story. There are a lot of opportunities for dialogic reading as there's lots of place to ask extension questions, and the book has a refrain.
April 19, 2019
As true to the classic tale of the Little Red Hen, this book shares many similarities. The hen wants to make some guacamole and she needs help. True to the classic, everyone she asked was to busy enjoying themselves, they had no time to help her out. However, before she shares her treat with her friends, she added one twist.
Pros:
I liked the new twist. It shares a dish that many people enjoy along with a tale that many children enjoy. The illustrations are fun and the book is easy to follow. After the tale, there are some fun facts and history about guacamole which I thought was very nice.
Cons:
When I introduce any book to my learners, I look for one of two things. The first is it should teach a lesson. If there is not lesson to be learned, it should at least have some sort of conversation starter we can turn educational. This book I felt did not have either.
Spoiler Alert:
While the story and tale was fun and all, it was pointless. No one did anything to help the hen and they got to enjoy the dish toward the end. I could understand if the other animals were busy with meaningful work, like visiting the sick, that would be an excuse not to help, but they were doing what they wanted to do.
Bottom Line:
The overall story was written well. However, since I felt the main focus was on selfish animals, I will not be featuring this book in our library.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine and were in no way influenced by outside sources. I am a professional blogger at Little Lady Plays
Pros:
I liked the new twist. It shares a dish that many people enjoy along with a tale that many children enjoy. The illustrations are fun and the book is easy to follow. After the tale, there are some fun facts and history about guacamole which I thought was very nice.
Cons:
When I introduce any book to my learners, I look for one of two things. The first is it should teach a lesson. If there is not lesson to be learned, it should at least have some sort of conversation starter we can turn educational. This book I felt did not have either.
Spoiler Alert:
While the story and tale was fun and all, it was pointless. No one did anything to help the hen and they got to enjoy the dish toward the end. I could understand if the other animals were busy with meaningful work, like visiting the sick, that would be an excuse not to help, but they were doing what they wanted to do.
Bottom Line:
The overall story was written well. However, since I felt the main focus was on selfish animals, I will not be featuring this book in our library.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine and were in no way influenced by outside sources. I am a professional blogger at Little Lady Plays
February 7, 2024
Just in time for Super Bowl and with a tasty recipe included in the back! This adaptation of the Little Red Hen follows our popular Gallinita Roja who is craving some guacamole and is officially on the hunt for ingredients to make her dish. Of course when she asks any one of the Southwestern critters for help, she always gets a "Not I" response followed with "But I'll help eat it when it's done!" Fun little element of sur"spice" included in the story and is an overall great adaptation. I also enjoyed reading about the origin of guacamole in the back as well.
May 27, 2025
I honestly thought the animals who didn't help the hen wouldn't get to eat the guacamole, but they did! The illustrations are very colorful and nicely detailed. There's a recipe of guacamole at the end of the story, a section of facts about the history of guacamole, and a glossary of Spanish words. Overall a good book, but if I was reading this to children I would emphasize that the other animals were rude to not help and we shouldn't be like them.
June 5, 2019
WARNING: will make you want guacamole!
The little red hen mixes up a splendid guacamole, which she serves to her friends (who were too busy to help her collect the ingredients) with a spicy surprise.
The little red hen mixes up a splendid guacamole, which she serves to her friends (who were too busy to help her collect the ingredients) with a spicy surprise.
August 7, 2021
Great illustrations, but I did not like how the other animals more or less got away with not helping the Little Red Hen in this version of the story. I prefer the consequences and lesson from the original story.
February 3, 2023
I loved the twist on the little red hen, and that they put Spanish words into the story, but it misses the whole point of the story when the lazy animals get to eat the guacamole anyhow! Disappointed by the ending.
September 12, 2023
This might be the best rendition of The Little Red Hen that I’ve read (and I’ve read plenty, it’s my favorite folktale).
After all the rascals don’t help, the little red hen fixes them pretty good in this version! I love it!!!
After all the rascals don’t help, the little red hen fixes them pretty good in this version! I love it!!!
July 13, 2024
I love all the back matter, but the lazy friends didn't learn a lesson or do anything to earn the treat at the end... and yet they all shared. Maybe next time they'll help? But that is only a guess; it's not stated or even implied. Ask your child what they think!
March 5, 2019
Could be fun to pair with Chicks and Salsa.
July 3, 2019
A very enjoyable version of the original Little Red Hen book. Colorful illustrations.
August 13, 2019
Little Red hen is making Guac instead of corn bread. So you can skip this.
September 18, 2019
Little red hen is gathering all the ingredients to make guacamole but no one wants to help her until it's time to eat. A twist on the classic. Preschool and up
October 5, 2019
A fun take on the traditional Little Red Hen story.
October 18, 2019
cute enough
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews