Language, Individual & Society, Volume 18, 2024

Abstract: This study focuses on wordless book adaptations of the classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”. For generations, the story has so far been a major component of Children’s Literature, known for its rich symbolism narrative and moral themes. However, in the distinctive format of wordless books, the story transforms, providing young readers with a new perspective and style of reading participation. The absence of text in these types of books necessitates deeper viewer engagement. This article investigates how various artists and authors have reinterpreted the well-known narrative through this silent medium, focusing on narrative reinterpretation and visual storytelling techniques. We explore how the lack of words may heighten the emotional tone of the story and how images can be utilized to portray complicated concepts like innocence or danger. Significantly, the article delves into the visual approaches used in these adaptations, examining how variations in color, line, and composition influence the storytelling. The use of space, perspective, and sequencing in the images is also explored, focusing on how these determine the reader’s view of the story and its characters. Furthermore, the article discusses how the lack of text encourages readers to actively connect with the narrative in a non- traditional way. From our results, it is evident that wordless book adaptations of “Little Red Riding Hood” provide an innovative approach to retelling the classic tale, demonstrating its remarkable adaptability. These adaptations invite a deeper exploration of how the fairy tale functions and why it endures, highlighting the participatory nature of wordless storytelling. They suggest that stories are living entities, constantly evolving through the interpretations of their audiences.