Little Red and Big, Bad Fred

PreS-Gr 1–Young Redmond Jasper Jones, aka Little Red, loves his seasonal visits with Great-Grandpa, but the real excitement of the journey is seeing his friend, Fred. Red insists Fred is the biggest, fluffiest kitty in the whole wide world. From ambushes to ­sabotage, Fred—more Muppet than menace—pops up each season with a new sinister surprise pulled straight from the Wile E. Coyote playbook. But when Fred bumps his head and Red rushes for help, ­Great-Grandpa offers a surprising correction: “That’s not a kitty—that’s a dog!” ­Belote offers a lighthearted, low-stakes ­remix of the Red Riding Hood story, ­centered on a single running gag delivered with sincerity and charm. The first-person narration is playful and direct, with repeated refrains and seasonal shifts adding structure. While the plot is thin and the identity reveal has little impact, the absurdity and visual humor are ­likely to hit the mark with young listeners. The digital illustrations are bold and friendly, with expressive characters and cozy, colorful settings. Fred’s oversized frame and ­big-eyed reactions provide visual humor, while a final moment of nighttime comfort adds warmth. Little Red is depicted with brown skin; Great-Grandpa has pale skin.