Step Into Elderidge Hollow
Welcome to Elderidge Hollow, where the forest paths are winding and familiar stories may not turn out quite the way you remember! Meet Annie, her faithful German shepherd Valor, Grandma, and a wolf who may not be exactly what everyone expects. Through adventure, surprises, and a little kindness, children discover that courage can mean helping someone in need—and that things are not always what they first appear to be.
Bringing Elderidge Hollow to Life?
Start with the Reader Guide!
Everything you need to move from the classic tale to dramatic play, the Elderidge Hollow adventure, Head–Heart–Hands conversations, and hands-on activities—all in one printable guide.
Get Ready for the Adventure
Before stepping into Elderidge Hollow, introduce children to the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood. Invite them to act out the familiar tale using simple props or puppets. Then transform your space into Elderidge Hollow, where children can follow the forest path, meet the characters along the way, and discover a very different Little Red adventure!
Live the Story
Now it’s time to step into Elderidge Hollow! Before you begin reading, invite the children to put on their red capes, pick up their baskets, and gather at the beginning of the forest path. This time, they aren’t just hearing a familiar fairy tale—they’re joining Annie and Valor on a brand-new adventure.
🐕Become Valor
The reader gets to join the adventure, too! Become Valor, Annie’s faithful German shepherd and traveling companion. Put on a simple pair of dog ears and, if you’d like, wear two small baskets at your sides just like Valor. As the children travel through Elderidge Hollow as Little Reds, Valor travels beside them—helping them feel brave, notice others who need help, and continue safely along the forest path.
✨Magic on a Budget
A dollar-store headband, a little felt, and a homemade “Valor” tag are all you need.
❤️Become Little Red
Before the story begins, invite every child to become Little Red! Once everyone has a red cape and a little journey bag, gather at the beginning of the forest path. Explain that today they’ll be traveling through Elderidge Hollow with Annie and Valor, discovering what it means to be brave, notice when someone needs help, and show kindness along the way.
✨ Magic on a Budget:
No classroom set of red capes? No problem! Inexpensive red plastic tablecloths can turn the whole class into Little Reds. Cut them into cape-sized rectangles and drape them over the children’s shoulders. Secure them to the shoulders of their clothing with clothespins rather than fastening anything around their necks.
🧺 Pack Your Journey Bag
Before entering Elderidge Hollow, give each child a clear gift bag to carry along the journey. Print the Journey Supplies page and have the children cut out three loaves of bread, three dozen chocolate chip cookies, and a crock of chicken and dumplings. Tuck the food into their bags, put on their red capes, and they’re ready for the adventure!
✨ Magic on a Budget:
Clear gift bags are an inexpensive alternative to buying a basket for every child—and children can see all the goodies they're carrying along the way.
Enter Elderidge Hollow
Before the story begins, the children put on their red capes, pick up their journey bags, and gather at the beginning of the forest path. Valor is waiting to lead them into Elderidge Hollow! One at a time, each Little Red follows the winding path through the forest and takes a place in the reading circle. Once everyone has arrived, Valor joins the children, and the adventure begins. As each child starts down the path, Valor could say: “Stay close, Little Red. Adventure awaits in Elderidge Hollow!”
While You Read
Keep the story moving and let the children enjoy the adventure! Pause only at a few natural moments to help them notice when Annie makes a brave choice, stops to help someone, or keeps going even when something feels uncertain. Encourage children to think about what it means to be courageous—and how courage can be used to help others.
❤️Look for Courage
Keep the story moving and let the children enjoy the adventure! During the first reading, simply read and experience the story together. There will be plenty of time to come back later, revisit favorite moments, and talk about Annie's courage, choices, and kindness.
When Annie sets off through the forest with Valor to visit her sick grandmother:
• What makes Annie brave? Does being brave mean you're never nervous?
• When Annie notices the thin, hungry wolf: Instead of being afraid and hurrying away, what does Annie do? How does listening help her understand what he needs?
• As Annie stops along her journey to help others: What do you notice about Annie's choices? Can helping someone be an act of courage?
• When Annie reaches Grandma and continues caring for others: What have we learned about Annie? How does she use both courage and kindness throughout her adventure?
After the Story
The story may be over, but the adventure isn't! Take a few minutes to help children think about what they learned, how the story made them feel, and what they can do with what they discovered.
🧠 Head — What Did We Discover?
- What are some ways Annie showed courage?
- Who did Annie notice needed help along her journey?
- How did Annie and Valor work together?
- What did Annie discover about helping others?
❤️ Heart — What Did We Feel?
- How do you think Annie felt traveling through the forest?
- How do you think the animals felt when Annie stopped to help them?
- How do you think Grandma felt when Annie arrived?
- How do you feel when someone notices that you need help?
🙌 Hands — What Can We Do?
- How can we notice when a person or animal might need our help?
- What is one small act of kindness you could do today?
- How can you be brave when helping someone feels a little difficult?
- What could you do to make the world kinder for people, animals, or even tiny creatures? 🐝
Keep the Magic Going
The story may be finished, but the fun isn't! Keep exploring, thinking, creating, and discovering with these free Storyland Magic activities.
🐝Make a Bee Watering Station
Even the tiniest creatures sometimes need a helping hand! Create a simple watering station for thirsty bees. An adult attaches clean bottle caps securely along a wooden dowel, then children decorate the dowel with bright outdoor-safe paint. Place it securely in the ground and add a small amount of fresh water to each bottle cap. Check it regularly and keep the caps clean and filled.
🧈 Shake Up Some Butter While You Create!
While children are painting their bee watering station sticks, keep another kind of magic going! Pour heavy cream into a tightly sealed plastic container. As children work, pass the container around and let everyone take a turn shaking it. Encourage them to notice how the cream sounds, looks, and feels different as they shake. Keep passing and shaking until the cream turns into butter. Then enjoy your homemade butter on preschool-approved crackers!
Storyland Magic Tip: Painting, shaking, observing, and sharing make this a wonderful activity to do together. Every child adds a few shakes to help make the class's butter.
❤️Courage in Action
Courage doesn't always mean doing something big or scary. Sometimes courage means noticing someone who needs help and choosing to do something about it. Invite children to think of one kind or helpful thing they can bravely do for someone today.
🎒 Take the Magic Home
Send a little Elderidge Hollow kindness home! Children can take their bee watering station home and find a special place for it with their family. Plant it securely in the ground near flowers, add fresh water to the bottle caps, and watch for thirsty visitors. Caring for their watering station gives children another way to practice Annie’s kind of courage—notice a need, then do something to help.
Print the Family Bee Guide
Little Red notices special treasures wherever she goes—from the beach to the woods to her own backyard. For an extra bit of magic, give each child a small red drawstring pouch to take home as a “treasure pocket.”
Encourage children to collect little treasures they discover outdoors when it is okay to take them—and to remember that sometimes the best treasures are ones we look at, enjoy, and leave for someone else to discover.
✨Magic on a Budget:
Red drawstring pouches make a fun keepsake, but they aren't necessary. Children can decorate a small paper bag or envelope to make their own treasure pocket.
