You might think you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood. However, you may not know the wonderful biblical truths that can be taught through the story. Consequently, I want to share an excellent Christian children’s book by Valerie Fentress. Her book, Beneath the Hood, a Retelling Woven with Biblical Truth, is a beautiful rendition of this classic fairy tale.

Little Pot and I get excited whenever we find books that teach biblical truths. As children learn these truths, they become fruit-bearing vessels and allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit through them. Recently we came across a version of Little Red Riding Hood that captured my heart and soul. In the story, Little Red is given a task by the king. She must take the basket of goods through the forest and deliver it to Grandmother. She is to remind her grandmother that what was lost is now found. Her sister sends her on the way even though she is frightened.

The wolves, the king, and the crown

The sister wears a crown in the story, and Little Red is eager to have her own. Knowing that she is a child of the king and that He will give her a crown, she holds tight to her red cape and begins down the path into the forest. As she travels, she encounters wolves. The wolves want her to question who she is. Is she a child of the king? Did he truly choose her?

As she continues, the wolves try to convince her the journey is too long and that she is alone. However, Little Red continues until she sees an open field of flowers and ponies. Consequently, she is tempted to leave the path. Knowing that she must continue, she resists and keeps going. The wolves continue to try and keep Little Red from completing her mission. At one point, they surround her and pull at her cape. As they do, she cries and says, “I am a child of the king.” The king appears, helps her to her feet, and places a crown on her head. When she reaches Grandmother, she opens the basket and gives her a crown too. Grandmother remembers that she, too, is a child of the king.

Knowing our identity

The story will help children to know they belong to king Jesus. Valerie includes discussion questions and Bible verses in the book to help children learn the many spiritual truths the story illustrates. Knowing our identity is the first step in becoming a fruit-bearing vessel. Little Pot knew that it was a vessel created by the potter. That is how it could trust the potter each time he emptied it and filled it with something new. Our maker is our king, and we can trust Him never to leave us. Likewise, we are his children, and He has crowns for us to wear.

After reading Valerie’s book, I couldn’t wait to share it with you and recommend that you read it with your children. I know it will lead to rich discussions about God. In addition, it will accomplish the first step to becoming a fruit-bearing vessel. If you want to learn the other steps and discover more about how the potter grows fruit through Little Pot, sign up below.

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By Dawn Stephens