The Little Red Hen

About the Book

The Little Red Hen is a story about a hardworking hen and her three lazy friends. The book is retold by Sue Arengo and is part of the Classic Tales series. It is published by OUP Oxford. This story is easy to read and perfect for A1 English learners.

Story Summary

The Little Red Hen finds some wheat seeds. She asks her friends, the duck, the goose, and the cat, to help her plant the seeds. But they all say, "Not I can’t.”

The hen works alone. She plants the seeds, waters them, and waits for the wheat to grow. She asks her friends for help many times, but they always say, "Not I can’t.”

When the wheat is ready, the hen makes bread. She asks, "Who will help me eat the bread?" Now, the lazy friends say, "I will!" But the Little Red Hen says, "No, I will eat it myself," and she eats the bread.

This story teaches a lesson: If you want to enjoy the reward, you must do the work.

Why Read This Book?

1. Simple Words: The story uses easy English words. A1 learners can read and understand it.

2. Beautiful Pictures: The book has colorful pictures. They make the story fun and help you understand the words.

3. Good Lesson: This story teaches about hard work and fairness. It is a lesson for children and adults.

How to Use This Book

For Reading Practice

• Read the story slowly.

• Look at the pictures.

• Say the words out loud.

For Speaking Practice

• Read the story with a friend.

• Take turns. One is the Little Red Hen, and one is the lazy friend.

For Writing Practice

• Write about the story.

• Who is your favorite character? Why?

• What can you learn from the Little Red Hen?

Who Can Read This Book?

This book is great for:

• Children who are learning English.

• Beginners who want to read a simple and fun story.

• Teachers who want a good story for their class.

About the Author

Sue Arengo is a writer and editor. She writes stories for children. Her books help children learn English. The Little Red Hen is one of her most popular stories.

Sue Arengo British author and editor of children's books 

A Storyteller for Young Learners of English

Sue Arengo is a British author who writes wonderful stories for children learning English. She has worked with Oxford University Press for over 20 years, creating books that are fun and easy to read. Many of her books are part of graded reader series like Classic Tales, Dominoes, and Oxford Bookworms.

Bringing Fairy Tales to Life

One of Sue’s most famous works is the Classic Tales series. This award-winning series retells traditional fairy tales like The Ugly Duckling, The Magic Brocade, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. These stories are written in simple English, making them perfect for children learning English as a second language. The series is loved by teachers and students worldwide and is now in its second edition.

Creating Original Stories

Sue Arengo doesn’t just rewrite old stories—she also creates new ones! Books like Baby Robot and Archie’s Sweet Shop show her talent for writing fun, imaginative stories. These books help children enjoy reading and improve their English at the same time.

A Talent for Art

Did you know Sue Arengo is also an artist? Using the name Kisa, she paints colorful and imaginative pictures with oil paints. Her art has been shown in exhibitions, including one at John Wesley’s Methodist Chapel in Bristol. Sue even illustrated her own fairy tale called Lord of the Meadow. This beautiful story, set in an English summer meadow, has many small oil-painted illustrations.

Inspiring Young Readers

Sue Arengo’s work is special because it helps young learners discover the joy of reading. Her books make English easy and fun for children all over the world. With her creativity and talent, Sue continues to inspire young readers to dream big and learn with enthusiasm.

If you are looking for interesting books for English learners, Sue Arengo’s stories are a great place to start. Her work combines learning with imagination, making reading an enjoyable experience for everyone.