When Alberta Dunn wrote the first book in her reimagined Little Red Riding Hood series in 2015, she made herself a promise: it would become a trilogy.
More than a decade later, the Luling resident has fulfilled that promise with the release of “Little Red Meets Hansel and Gretel,” the third and final installment in the series. The book is now available on Amazon.
“I completed my challenge,” Dunn said. “I made sure that I did complete them.”
Dunn’s “Little Red” trilogy reflects Louisiana culture and is set in modern-day Luling. The newest book includes references to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the local fire department, shrimp boots and a pot of red beans cooking on the stove.
Through the series, the main character grows up and Luling grows, too. The woods that once surrounded the community gradually give way to neighborhoods and businesses, mirroring the transformation Dunn has witnessed in Luling over the years. In the first book, the character is younger and repeatedly strays from the path, but by the final installment she has grown into a 12-year-old who realizes the importance of following her parents’ rules and making better decisions.
“With age comes wisdom,” Dunn said.
The release of Dunn’s newest book comes less than a year after the parish library added her earlier books to its collection. The series’ central message remains consistent: children should listen to their parents, avoid talking to strangers and make thoughtful choices.
Dunn said the final book proved to be the most difficult to write.
“It took me about a year, to be honest, to figure out how I was going to make these characters and the story of Hansel and Gretel not so grim and horrible,” she said.
The story also introduces a child with special needs, an inclusion inspired by Dunn’s experiences substitute teaching in special education classrooms and by friends raising children with autism.
Completing the trilogy meant navigating the challenges of self-publishing. Dunn said the experience taught her not to rely solely on the publishing process to catch mistakes.
“The publishers say they proofread, but they really don’t,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Dunn said seeing children connect with her stories has made the years of work worthwhile. During school visits and book readings, she encourages young readers to pursue their own creative ambitions and reminds them that they are never too young — or too old — to follow a dream.
“Believe it, dream it and achieve it,” she said.