Lydia Louisa Anna Very

Lydia Louisa Anna Very (November 2, 1823 – September 10, 1901)[1] was an American writer, educator, and illustrator known for authoring the earliest shape books in America.

She was born in Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of two first cousins, Lydia Very and Jones Very, a captain during the War of 1812.

[5] In 1863 she wrote and designed Red Riding Hood, a verse version of the folk tale "Little Red Riding Hood" that was die-cut into the outline shape of the little girl with the wolf crouching by her feet.

[5] Very wrote a great deal of poetry, which she published in magazines and newspapers of the day as well as in two anthologies.

The Very family papers, including five volumes of Very's poetry and other materials, were published by the American Antiquarian Society in 2009.