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Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood is a European fairy tale about a girl who wears a red hood or cape and meets a wolf while visiting her grandmother.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Little Red Riding Hood is a European fairy tale about a girl who wears a red hood or cape and meets a wolf while visiting her grandmother. The story exists in many versions, with well-known literary retellings by Charles Perrault in the 17th century and the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. The tale is widely read in Canadian children’s literature and school contexts, usually through English and French editions.

Origins and publication history

The tale likely developed from older oral traditions before being recorded in literary form. Charles Perrault published a French version in 1697, and the Brothers Grimm later included a German version in their 1812 collection.

Plot

In the familiar story, a girl travels through the woods to bring food to her grandmother and meets a wolf. The wolf reaches the grandmother first and disguises himself, leading to the famous encounter between the girl and the disguised predator.

Major versions

Perrault’s version is shorter and more cautionary, while the Grimm version is more elaborate and often includes a rescuer. Later retellings, illustrations, and adaptations have shaped the version most readers know today.

Cultural significance

Little Red Riding Hood is one of the best-known fairy tales in children’s literature. It has been adapted across literature, art, film, and popular culture, and is frequently studied for its folklore and symbolic themes.

Key facts

  • The story is a fairy tale widely known in European and global folklore traditions.
  • The heroine is named for the red hooded cloak or cap she wears.
  • Perrault’s 1697 version is the earliest widely cited literary form.
  • The Brothers Grimm published a later version in 1812 that became especially influential.
  • The tale is often classified in folklore studies as type ATU 333, 'The Glutton.'
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Canadian context

The tale is widely read in Canadian children’s literature and school contexts, usually through English and French editions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Little Red Riding Hood about?
It is a fairy tale about a girl in a red hood who meets a wolf while traveling to her grandmother’s house.
Who wrote the first literary version?
Charles Perrault published an early literary version in 1697.
What version is most familiar today?
The Brothers Grimm’s 1812 retelling strongly influenced the best-known modern form.
Who are the main characters?
The central characters are Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, the Grandmother, and often a Huntsman or Woodsman.
Is the story originally English?
No. It comes from European folk tradition and was recorded in French and German literary forms before becoming widely known in English.
What is its folklore classification?
It is commonly classified as ATU 333, a tale type known as 'The Glutton.'

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Riding_Hood
    Supports: Overview of the tale, origins, and Perrault/Grimm versions
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Little-Red-Riding-Hood
    Supports: Basic plot, characters, and status as a classic fairy tale
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/little-red-riding-hood
    Supports: Earliest written form, oral tradition background, and Perrault/Grimm comparison
  4. University of Pittsburgh — https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0333.html
    Supports: Folklore classification and historical tale type context