Tango Red Riding Hood

Author: Rachel Hobbs and Carolina Vázquez

Hardcover

When Moni sets off to her Abuela's house, her feet can't resist the magical rhythm that calls to her in the woods. But an encounter with Lobo and his bandoneón turns Moni's pace from tango to milonga as she races to save her sweet Abuela.

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

Description

A 2024 Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award Honor Book

An irresistible rhythm tugs at Moni's heart as she dances down the path to la casa de Abuela. But Moni's corazón skips a beat when she spies a strange set of ears - setting her own orejas on alert. Lobo must be near!

In this modern interpretation of a classic fairytale, readers tango along with Moni as she sways to the music that follows her through the woods. In a clearing, Moni stumbles upon Lobo . . . playing a bandoneón? Moni can't help from tap-tap-tapping to the tune, but when the music ends, Moni's pace turns from tango to milanga after Lobo says he ate Abuela. Readers are certain to be both surprised and relieved when they learn Abuela is alive and well, and waiting on another guest - her amigo, Lobo.

With a humorous twist that highlights a misunderstanding in two languages, Tango Red Riding Hood delivers a fresh take on the original story's theme and beloved characters. Bold, bright illustrations capture the magic and mood of each scene, inviting readers to savor every step of Moni's adventure. It will be a welcome addition to classrooms, libraries and bedside bookshelves everywhere!

Critic Reviews

A Latinx retelling of Red Riding Hood with a dancing Red and a wolf eager to learn English. Moni is on her way to visit her abuela and is distracted by a music-playing lobo. Some "lost in translation" moments result in Moni running away from the wolf. The bolded sound effects in the tale perfectly evoke the rhythm of dance and underscore Moni's love for it. Vibrant colors in the illustrations support the upbeat tone that hints at the different direction this retelling will take. The depiction of people learning a new language including the hiccups along the way is recreated with warmth and humor, reminiscent of Angela Dominguez's Maria Had a Little LLama/María tenía una llamita. A glossary of Spanish words is included in the back. VERDICT A bright retelling with a real beat, this not only shares the experience of learning a language, but will be a story hour hit.
--Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, School Library Journal

"...Tango Red Riding Hood blends together the perfect mix of culture, language, and music, while teaching us that misunderstandings aren't always so bad, as long as we keep learning. This book is sure to put a smile on anyone's face."
--Scooter Milne, editorial assistant, Oregon, Skipping Stones Magazine (July 2024)

About the Author

Rachel Hobbs was born in the United States to a Californian father and an Argentine mother. She grew up with a love of languages and music and received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in music. This is her debut picture book and is a blend of her cultures. She also enjoys volunteering and working with children, in addition to raising her own three kids near Monterey, California. Connect with Rachel at

Carolina Vázquez studied Illustration Design at Palermo University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She started taking drawing classes at the age of thirteen and has been doing freelance work since 2019. She enjoys creating magical, nature-themed illustrations and working with color and light to create a sense of atmosphere in her work. Along with creating art, Carolina enjoys swimming, reading novels and watching animated movies, which greatly inspire her work. Connect with Carolina at _art/.