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.
🍎 Before the Story: Set the Scene
Before reading the Elderidge Hollow adventure, give children time to explore the familiar story through dramatic play. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. A few simple props can turn a classroom corner into the woods, Grandma’s house, and Little Red’s journey.
Create an inviting space for children to explore the story before you read.
Pick some apples for Grandma. Let children gather pretend apples from classroom apple trees.
Deliver a gift to Grandma. Provide a basket and a pretend Grandma’s house where children can deliver their gifts.
Bring the characters to life. Set out a red cape, baskets, and a wolf puppet for dramatic play.
Use what you already have, invite the children to imagine the rest, and let the story begin to breathe before you ever open the book.
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!
Create the Forest Path
Make a winding path through Elderidge Hollow.
Pack the Basket
Fill a little basket with pretend treats for Grandma.
Meet the Wolf
Use a wolf puppet to act out the traditional story.
Become Little Red Riding Hood
Put on the red hooded cape, grab your basket, and step into Elderidge Hollow!
Live the Story
This is where the story moves off the page and into the room! As you read Elderidge Hollow, invite the children to become part of Annie’s adventure. Pause along the way for characters, props, movement, and hands-on moments that help the children experience the story—not just listen to it. Keep it simple, follow their imaginations, and let the adventure unfold.
🐕 Become Valor — H3
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 — H3
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 let the children cut out the pretend food for their journey—three loaves of bread, three dozen chocolate chip cookies, and a crock of chicken and dumplings. Then they can put on their red capes and be 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! During the first reading, simply read and let the children experience Annie and Valor’s journey. Save the questions and deeper conversations for later, when you can return to favorite moments and think together about courage, kindness, and helping others.
❤️ Look for Courage
On a second reading, invite the children to watch for moments when Annie shows courage—not because she is never nervous, but because she chooses to keep going, help someone, or do what she believes is right. Use moments like these to wonder together:
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 SpiroTales 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 to the top of 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.
Have a large class? Make two or three bee watering stations and place them together in a school garden!
🐝 Classroom Connection: Meet a Beekeeper
In one classroom, the learning continued after the children made their bee watering stations. Two grandparents who raise bees visited with their beekeeping outfits and honey for the children to taste. What began as an act of kindness for bees became a memorable connection between the story, families, and the natural world!
🧈 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 or rye bread—just like a treat from Little Red's Journey!
SpiroTales 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.
🐉 See SpiroTales in Action
Here’s one way we brought the first reading of Elderidge Hollow to life with simple costumes, inexpensive props, and lots of imagination.
Print the First Reading Guide
The First Reading: Step Into Elderidge Hollow
Pack for the journey. Give each child a little gift bag filled with pretend food items from the story.
Dress for the journey. Simple red ponchos turn everyone into traveling companions. Elaborate costumes aren’t needed!
Take the path through the woods. Lead the children on a short journey to your reading spot, building excitement as they step into the story.
Enter the story. Gather the children and read, bringing the characters to life with simple props and puppets.
Make inexpensive puppets. Attach hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) to an old black glove and small stuffed animals. Use toys you already have or thrift-store finds.
Bring the animals to life. Invite children to help with the animal characters, making the story interactive and memorable
.Enjoy hands-on fun. Shake heavy cream in a tightly sealed plastic container to make butter, then taste it on rye bread. Continue with a bee watering station craft and other story-inspired activities.
Teacher tips: Keep it simple, use what you have, and engage all the senses. Let children be part of the story as they explore kindness, courage, curiosity, and belonging. Small steps lead to big adventures!
Little Red's Treasure Pocket
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.
🎒 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.
Spiro’s Family Challenge
Keep the Elderidge Hollow adventure going at home! Choose one challenge—or see how many you can try together.
Make Little Red’s Butter. Put heavy cream in a tightly sealed plastic container and take turns shaking. Watch and listen as it changes into butter, then spread it on bread or crackers. Talk about what you noticed!
Be a Bee Helper. Place your bee watering station in a safe spot outside, add fresh water, and watch for visitors. If you don’t have a station, use a shallow dish with clean stones and water. Look for bees, butterflies, and other little friends!
Pack a Kindness Basket. Choose three things to give someone who could use kindness: a snack, note, flower, picture, or something special. Talk about why you chose each item.
Retell It Your Way. Use stuffed animals, dolls, or toys to retell the story. You don’t need the “right” animals—use your imagination! What was your favorite part?
Take an Annie Walk. Take a family walk and notice the world around you. What might a squirrel like? Where could a turtle hide? What flowers might a bee visit? Discover something new together!
Notice a Need. Think of a family member, neighbor, friend, or animal who could use help. Do one small thing to make their day brighter. Kindness can start with you!No special supplies. No perfect results. Just talk, imagine, notice, and do something together.
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.
🍎 Before the Story: Set the Scene
Before reading the Elderidge Hollow adventure, give children time to explore the familiar story through dramatic play. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. A few simple props can turn a classroom corner into the woods, Grandma’s house, and Little Red’s journey.
Create an inviting space for children to explore the story before you read.
Pick some apples for Grandma. Let children gather pretend apples from classroom apple trees.
Deliver a gift to Grandma. Provide a basket and a pretend Grandma’s house where children can deliver their gifts.
Bring the characters to life. Set out a red cape, baskets, and a wolf puppet for dramatic play.
Use what you already have, invite the children to imagine the rest, and let the story begin to breathe before you ever open the book.
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!
Create the Forest Path
Make a winding path through Elderidge Hollow.
Pack the Basket
Fill a little basket with pretend treats for Grandma.
Meet the Wolf
Use a wolf puppet to act out the traditional story.
Become Little Red Riding Hood
Put on the red hooded cape, grab your basket, and step into Elderidge Hollow!
Live the Story
This is where the story moves off the page and into the room! As you read Elderidge Hollow, invite the children to become part of Annie’s adventure. Pause along the way for characters, props, movement, and hands-on moments that help the children experience the story—not just listen to it. Keep it simple, follow their imaginations, and let the adventure unfold.
🐕 Become Valor — H3
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 — H3
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 let the children cut out the pretend food for their journey—three loaves of bread, three dozen chocolate chip cookies, and a crock of chicken and dumplings. Then they can put on their red capes and be 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! During the first reading, simply read and let the children experience Annie and Valor’s journey. Save the questions and deeper conversations for later, when you can return to favorite moments and think together about courage, kindness, and helping others.
❤️ Look for Courage
On a second reading, invite the children to watch for moments when Annie shows courage—not because she is never nervous, but because she chooses to keep going, help someone, or do what she believes is right. Use moments like these to wonder together:
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 SpiroTales 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 to the top of 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.
Have a large class? Make two or three bee watering stations and place them together in a school garden!
🐝 Classroom Connection: Meet a Beekeeper
In one classroom, the learning continued after the children made their bee watering stations. Two grandparents who raise bees visited with their beekeeping outfits and honey for the children to taste. What began as an act of kindness for bees became a memorable connection between the story, families, and the natural world!
🧈 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 or rye bread—just like a treat from Little Red's Journey!
SpiroTales 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.
🐉 See SpiroTales in Action
Here’s one way we brought the first reading of Elderidge Hollow to life with simple costumes, inexpensive props, and lots of imagination.
Print the First Reading Guide
The First Reading: Step Into Elderidge Hollow
Pack for the journey. Give each child a little gift bag filled with pretend food items from the story.
Dress for the journey. Simple red ponchos turn everyone into traveling companions. Elaborate costumes aren’t needed!
Take the path through the woods. Lead the children on a short journey to your reading spot, building excitement as they step into the story.
Enter the story. Gather the children and read, bringing the characters to life with simple props and puppets.
Make inexpensive puppets. Attach hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) to an old black glove and small stuffed animals. Use toys you already have or thrift-store finds.
Bring the animals to life. Invite children to help with the animal characters, making the story interactive and memorable
.Enjoy hands-on fun. Shake heavy cream in a tightly sealed plastic container to make butter, then taste it on rye bread. Continue with a bee watering station craft and other story-inspired activities.
Teacher tips: Keep it simple, use what you have, and engage all the senses. Let children be part of the story as they explore kindness, courage, curiosity, and belonging. Small steps lead to big adventures!
Little Red's Treasure Pocket
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.
🎒 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.
Spiro’s Family Challenge
Keep the Elderidge Hollow adventure going at home! Choose one challenge—or see how many you can try together.
Make Little Red’s Butter. Put heavy cream in a tightly sealed plastic container and take turns shaking. Watch and listen as it changes into butter, then spread it on bread or crackers. Talk about what you noticed!
Be a Bee Helper. Place your bee watering station in a safe spot outside, add fresh water, and watch for visitors. If you don’t have a station, use a shallow dish with clean stones and water. Look for bees, butterflies, and other little friends!
Pack a Kindness Basket. Choose three things to give someone who could use kindness: a snack, note, flower, picture, or something special. Talk about why you chose each item.
Retell It Your Way. Use stuffed animals, dolls, or toys to retell the story. You don’t need the “right” animals—use your imagination! What was your favorite part?
Take an Annie Walk. Take a family walk and notice the world around you. What might a squirrel like? Where could a turtle hide? What flowers might a bee visit? Discover something new together!
Notice a Need. Think of a family member, neighbor, friend, or animal who could use help. Do one small thing to make their day brighter. Kindness can start with you!No special supplies. No perfect results. Just talk, imagine, notice, and do something together.