Women’s Shelter

Pages 28 & 29: The little girl and the mother are taken in at a women’s shelter. These are safe and discreet places where mothers and children receive the support of professionals in times of crisis. Although the woods outside are dark, inside the shelter is...

Disappearing

Pages 26 & 27: The mother now wears a gray dress and red shoes. That is all that is left of Little Red Riding Hood. Why is this character disappearing? Who is Gilbert?

Building A Wall Around Your Hearts

Pages 24 & 25: What do you think the author means when she writes, “I closed my eyes and kept them closed, even on the days when the sun came out again”? If you build a wall around your heart to stop feeling negative emotions, what might happen to your other...

Straw, Wood, and Bricks

Pages 20 to 23: Over the next few pages, the author refers to straw, wood and bricks. Which fairy tale is she referring to? And how were these materials used?