A sideways telling of the “The Little Red Hen” has Little Green Hen sowing seeds from an old apple tree’s fruit and tending the new orchard that begins to grow. Dog, Sparrow, and Squirrel are willing helpers: stick-loving Dog prunes, bug-eating Sparrow protects the leaves and fruit, Squirrel handles the harvest. But Peacock, Fox, and Cat want nothing to do with the project; Peacock would rather preen, Fox would rather eat Little Green Hen, Cat would rather sleep. Then comes days of rain. Peacock, Fox and Cat, flooded out of their homes, find refuge with Little Green Hen and her helpers. When the rain stops and Little Green Hen asks for help cleaning up from the flood, everyone pitches in. The cooperation extends to caring for the orchard, which in turn, as time goes by, takes care of them. There’s an obvious environmental message to this recast classic. The slightly comical characters and digital matte illustrations with a sometimes quirky palette make for a lively offering. (Ages 3–7)

A timely retelling plays off "The Little Red Hen" with an environmental slant.

On top of a hill, inside an old and very fruitful apple tree, lives Little Green Hen. She prunes the tree’s branches, rids it of pests, and sows its seeds so that more trees will grow. But soon the work proves too much, and Little Green Hen seeks some help. Dog (who loves sticks), Sparrow (who loves bugs), and Squirrel (who loves burying things) are glad to pitch in. But Peacock, Fox, and Cat have far more important things to do — until the storms roll in, the rain comes down, and the waters rise. . . . With contemporary flair, Alison Murray offers another engaging adaptation of a traditional children’s tale.