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The Little Red Hen: An Old Story
A retelling of the classic tale about the industrious red hen and her brood of chicks who plant and harvest their own wheat
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Margot Zemach
55 books7 followersMargot Zemach was an American illustrator and author of children's books. Many were adaptations of folk tales from around the world - mostly Yiddish and other Eastern European stories. Zemach won the 1974 Caldecott Medal for her illustrations of the picture book "Duffy and the Devil", which was written by her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 31, 2019
Meh. No twist. Hen does share with her chicks. Wordy. Choose among the other editions to discuss with your children.
November 19, 2012
The Little Red Hen is a simple moral tale about hard work and consequences, both good and bad. The little red hen has multiple tasks that she expects her friends, the goose, cat, and pig, will help her with, only to find that they will not. The little red hen completes the tasks herself and ultimately rejoices in the joys of a job well done, whereas her friends learn an important lesson about work ethic.
The work has several themes, including “if you want something done, you must do it yourself,” and “you reap what you sow.” The little red hen quickly learns that she cannot depend on her friends to help her with her chores, and therefore completes them herself. She and her friends learn that you reap what you sow when the little read hen enjoys a meal of freshly baked bread, while her friends, who provided no help in bringing forth the bread, are left empty-handed.
The book uses simple words and actions to teach the lessons of the theme. Repetition is used throughout the book, making for an entertaining and easy read. The little red hen consistently asks who will help her with a specific task, which is followed by a chorus of “not I’s” from her friends. The little red hen then states that she will complete the task herself. The end is satisfying with the little red hen completing the task of eating her hard-earned bread herself.
The illustrations are not stunning, but are effective in conveying the message of the story. Their simple nature complements the simplicity of the work. The little red hen is shown with her little house and little chicks, working hard throughout the book, while her friends, the goose, cat, and pig, are shown lounging around, watching the hen work, and playing cards. Her friends quickly abandon their activities when bread is brought forth, and are literally illustrated as running to the food, only to be left empty-handed. The animals are illustrated in a manner similar to humans, with them wearing clothes, including top hats and bonnets, which make it easier to apply human morals, values, and emotions to them.
Due to its repetitive nature, the book would work well as a read aloud or an individual read. This work is recommended as a supplemental purchase as it feels dated, yet not classic.
The work has several themes, including “if you want something done, you must do it yourself,” and “you reap what you sow.” The little red hen quickly learns that she cannot depend on her friends to help her with her chores, and therefore completes them herself. She and her friends learn that you reap what you sow when the little read hen enjoys a meal of freshly baked bread, while her friends, who provided no help in bringing forth the bread, are left empty-handed.
The book uses simple words and actions to teach the lessons of the theme. Repetition is used throughout the book, making for an entertaining and easy read. The little red hen consistently asks who will help her with a specific task, which is followed by a chorus of “not I’s” from her friends. The little red hen then states that she will complete the task herself. The end is satisfying with the little red hen completing the task of eating her hard-earned bread herself.
The illustrations are not stunning, but are effective in conveying the message of the story. Their simple nature complements the simplicity of the work. The little red hen is shown with her little house and little chicks, working hard throughout the book, while her friends, the goose, cat, and pig, are shown lounging around, watching the hen work, and playing cards. Her friends quickly abandon their activities when bread is brought forth, and are literally illustrated as running to the food, only to be left empty-handed. The animals are illustrated in a manner similar to humans, with them wearing clothes, including top hats and bonnets, which make it easier to apply human morals, values, and emotions to them.
Due to its repetitive nature, the book would work well as a read aloud or an individual read. This work is recommended as a supplemental purchase as it feels dated, yet not classic.
October 1, 2015
The Little Red Hen is a classic traditional story by Margot Zemach. After the little red hen finds some wheat seeds, she tries to get the other animals to help her plant the seeds, harvest the wheat, and bake the bread. None cooperate, and she teaches them a lesson in the end. Illustrations are classical and realistic watercolors are large on the page. I give this book a 5/5 stars because of the classic storyline, theme, and the wonderful illustrations.
October 7, 2017
Sometimes you have to do all the work yourself, but hard work pays off!
September 19, 2021
The story you know the illustrations make it stand out
December 15, 2022
Great for read aloud.
Talks about reaping what you sow, and working for yourself.
Talks about reaping what you sow, and working for yourself.
February 20, 2016
Title: The Little Red Hen: An Old Story
Author: Margot Zemach
Illustrator: Margot Zemach
Genre: Repetitive/Rhyming Book
Theme(s): Repetition, Friendship, Independence, Work Ethic
Opening Line/Sentence:
Once upon a time a little red hen lived with her chicks in a small cottage.
She worked hard to keep her family well fed.
Brief Book Summary:
While walking with her friends, little red hen find grains of wheat her friends won’t help her plant the seeds so she does it herself. When the wheat was ready to harvest, hen’s friends once again won’t help so hen does it herself. The hen then has to thresh the wheat, take the wheat to the mill, and bake bread with the flour, all by herself. Once she makes bread her friends now ask to have some but hen eats it all herself because they did not help her once.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Barnes & Noble
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
According to PW , ``Zemach turns an `old story' into a new, irresistible treat, with a brisk narrative and pictures in zesty colors in the style that has won her a Caldecott Medal. The characters are howlingly funny.'' Ages 3-8. (Apr.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Barnes & Noble
From the Publisher
"Zemach turns 'an old story' into a new, irresistible treat...Howlingly funny."-Publishers Weekly. "A clean, attractive job, perfect for preschoolers and a welcome addition to the easy-story shelf." —Booklist
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews are generally similar in that they both view the story as irresistible and attractive. The reviews state that this books is howlingly funny and that it is perfect for preschoolers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is very easy to read because of it’s structure and format. The wording is not difficult at all and the repetition per couple pages allows the students to anticipate exactly what will happen and be able to fully grasp the plot of the story. Threshed may be the only difficult word in the book.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This would be a great read aloud book with enhanced expression on friendship. Making sure the kids understand that helping others allows you to get their benefits, such as when you help harvest wheat you get to have bread. Some kind of friendship exercise can be done for this.
Author: Margot Zemach
Illustrator: Margot Zemach
Genre: Repetitive/Rhyming Book
Theme(s): Repetition, Friendship, Independence, Work Ethic
Opening Line/Sentence:
Once upon a time a little red hen lived with her chicks in a small cottage.
She worked hard to keep her family well fed.
Brief Book Summary:
While walking with her friends, little red hen find grains of wheat her friends won’t help her plant the seeds so she does it herself. When the wheat was ready to harvest, hen’s friends once again won’t help so hen does it herself. The hen then has to thresh the wheat, take the wheat to the mill, and bake bread with the flour, all by herself. Once she makes bread her friends now ask to have some but hen eats it all herself because they did not help her once.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Barnes & Noble
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
According to PW , ``Zemach turns an `old story' into a new, irresistible treat, with a brisk narrative and pictures in zesty colors in the style that has won her a Caldecott Medal. The characters are howlingly funny.'' Ages 3-8. (Apr.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Barnes & Noble
From the Publisher
"Zemach turns 'an old story' into a new, irresistible treat...Howlingly funny."-Publishers Weekly. "A clean, attractive job, perfect for preschoolers and a welcome addition to the easy-story shelf." —Booklist
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews are generally similar in that they both view the story as irresistible and attractive. The reviews state that this books is howlingly funny and that it is perfect for preschoolers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is very easy to read because of it’s structure and format. The wording is not difficult at all and the repetition per couple pages allows the students to anticipate exactly what will happen and be able to fully grasp the plot of the story. Threshed may be the only difficult word in the book.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This would be a great read aloud book with enhanced expression on friendship. Making sure the kids understand that helping others allows you to get their benefits, such as when you help harvest wheat you get to have bread. Some kind of friendship exercise can be done for this.
February 22, 2015
Who doesn't relate to the wonderful message of the Little Red Hen? If you don't work, you don't eat! I love this story!!. I wish that during my lifetime I would have 'used' the wisdom presented in the Little Red Hen a bit more often. That is, those who don't help participate in the needed service, labor, whatever is needed, should not receive the rewards.
This tale is direct in presenting the various duties of the responsibilities for agriculture. The story would have been very appropriate during the time that it was written,since the means of acquiring vegetables and wheat was more commonly understood to come come from a field, toiled in and harvested by hand. (as opposed to the Kroger's down the the street today). The emphasis of the labor involved along every step of the way, planting, maintenance, harvest, threshing, milling, kneading...all the aspects of the various details needed to acquire the end results of a fresh bread are clearly presented in the book. The firm 'boundary' that the Little Red Hen upholds is the sends a strong message at the end of the story. The traditional tales presented a moral and this one (as others too) holds true to this very day the same as it did when it was first written. Those who don't help in a project or assist with a product do not deserve to enjoy the results of the product!
This tale is direct in presenting the various duties of the responsibilities for agriculture. The story would have been very appropriate during the time that it was written,since the means of acquiring vegetables and wheat was more commonly understood to come come from a field, toiled in and harvested by hand. (as opposed to the Kroger's down the the street today). The emphasis of the labor involved along every step of the way, planting, maintenance, harvest, threshing, milling, kneading...all the aspects of the various details needed to acquire the end results of a fresh bread are clearly presented in the book. The firm 'boundary' that the Little Red Hen upholds is the sends a strong message at the end of the story. The traditional tales presented a moral and this one (as others too) holds true to this very day the same as it did when it was first written. Those who don't help in a project or assist with a product do not deserve to enjoy the results of the product!
March 26, 2014
The Little Red Hen is a classic. It is the famous story of how one determined little red hen did everything all by herself and turned the tables on the lazy goose, cat and pig. I find this a great read for early years and key stage 1 children. There are lots of areas for discussion, for example the process of making bread, where bread comes from, the different types of animals living on the farm and also the great lesson of the benefits of helping others out.
I have always loved the story of the little red hen, however I have given this version of the book only 4 stars as I felt that the cover and illustrations are slightly outdated for children today. In the classroom the children do tend to go for more vibrant, modern books and I feel that this is one that they would leave on the shelf. However, having said this I do think they would thoroughly enjoy the book when it is read to them, it's got a sense of wonder for what is going to happen next as well as humour and a great lesson in life, teaching children that in order to reap rewards we must first help others out and be caring and kind to our friends.
I have always loved the story of the little red hen, however I have given this version of the book only 4 stars as I felt that the cover and illustrations are slightly outdated for children today. In the classroom the children do tend to go for more vibrant, modern books and I feel that this is one that they would leave on the shelf. However, having said this I do think they would thoroughly enjoy the book when it is read to them, it's got a sense of wonder for what is going to happen next as well as humour and a great lesson in life, teaching children that in order to reap rewards we must first help others out and be caring and kind to our friends.
December 1, 2014
The Little Red Hen is a story about a hen that is planting seeds to grow wheat so she can make bread. She asks a cat, dog, and a bird to help her with the work to plant and grow the wheat, but they all refused to help. When the hen made the bread the animals could smell it and came running. But because they did not help with the work the hen did not share the bread. What we liked about the book is how it flowed together. The story was linked together at the end and the end was very satisfying. We could not find something we disliked about this book, the illustrations were good, the story went together very well and had a fun ending. This book can be used to show kids that if you work hard good things will come of it, but if you are lazy, you will not be rewarded necessarily.
Zemach, M. (1972). The Little Red Hen. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Zemach, M. (1972). The Little Red Hen. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
December 3, 2014
The Little Red Hen is a story about a hen that is planting seeds to grow wheat so she can make bread. She asks a cat, dog, and a bird to help her with the work to plant and grow the wheat, but they all refused to help. When the hen made the bread the animals could smell it and came running. But because they did not help with the work the hen did not share the bread. What we liked about the book is how it flowed together. The story was linked together at the end and the end was very satisfying. We could not find something we disliked about this book, the illustrations were good, the story went together very well and had a fun ending. This book will be good for the classroom to teach to help with the work to get the reward. Also it teaches teamwork is a great skill to have in and out of school.
Zemach, M. (1972). The Little Red Hen (p. 32). New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Zemach, M. (1972). The Little Red Hen (p. 32). New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
March 17, 2011
What a classic story! Her friends are too lazy to help her do the things that are needed to be done. However, when it comes to eating the finished product (the bread), they're all for it! It's good she tells them no because they didn't help at all! It shows good character and you need to earn things before they are just given to you!
January 17, 2012
I enjoyed this story, it was one I had heard as a kid, but it was nice to go back and reread it. I like the lesson that is taught in the story and I think it can be benifical for children to learn. I also think that the expression on the different animals faces were very amusing and many times I caught myself trying to figure out what would be going through the different characters minds.
September 14, 2012
I absolutely loved this book when I initially read it as a child and as I re-read it again. It is such a cute story and is has a great moral lesson for kids. None of the hen's friends want to help her plant or harvest the wheat but all of them want to reap the benefits and eat the bread that she makes.
September 28, 2011
This book is great to show that hard work always pays off. The hen does all the work to make the bread without her friends helping. When the bread has been made they decide they want to help eat it, but the hen will not let them.
March 21, 2009
cumulative tale
beast tale
beast tale
September 29, 2009
Good built to introduce community building in the classroom. Teaches that you cannot decide to not help with something and reap the benefits.
Read
July 13, 2011J P 398.2 ZEM--[FOL]
November 29, 2015
With lively illustrations Zemach retells this old tale with simple text.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews