Hansel and Gretel [Hardcover]

Cynthia Rylant (Author), Jen Corace (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Once upon a time,

deep in the dark, green forest

there was an exquisite house made of cake and sugar--

a house made to lure lost, hungry children.

 

But the witch whose delicious house

lured Hansel and his sister, Gretel

had forgotten two things about lost children:

they can be very clever

and very brave.

 

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—Rylant retells the familiar Grimm tale with an emphasis on the courage and character of its young protagonists. She opens by noting that while guardian spirits may protect small children, "Hansel and Gretel" is the story "of children who find the courage to protect themselves." She focuses on the family dynamics: the weakness of their father, the cruel machinations of the bitter stepmother, and the effect on the children. The language is forceful and direct throughout: the siblings learn that wickedness takes many forms, and that a smile often masks evil intentions. After escaping the witch, the children are helped on their way home by a large swan, and Rylant surmises that perhaps guardian spirits finally intervene "when small children have already been so brave." Complementing this retelling, Corace's pen-and-ink artwork features neutral hues and sober-faced children. The book has an old-fashioned, handcrafted look with illustrations and text carefully placed on each page. There are many fine versions of this tale, including Rika Lesser and Paul O. Zelinsky's version (Dutton, 1999), but libraries will want to add this distinctive retelling for Rylant's strong-minded voice and Corace's attractive art.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
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From Booklist

This handsome edition of the folktale gives no credit to the Grimm brothers or to any other traditional version of the familiar story. The writing is clean and well cadenced, but the essential darkness of this tale of child abandonment and intended cannibalism is reinforced by sententious reflections such as “There are many forms of wickedness in the world. Sometimes it is easy to recognize who is evil. Sometimes it is not easy at all. Wickedness can wear a smile just as goodness can.” Corace’s distinctive illustrations feature strong composition, confident line work, and a fine sense of color. Some of the pictures have a distinctively Japanese sensibility. Many show the children isolated within a relatively dark world, a visual interpretation entirely in keeping with the tone of the text. For all that, this is a lovely edition, though it may appeal more to adults than to children. Grades K-2. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423111869
• ISBN-13: 978-1423111863
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Engaging, November 2, 2008

By 

AnnaAL (AL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

Bought this for my 4 year old. She loves the scariness (just enough) of the story and the willingness of the children to fend for themselves and find courage. The drawings are very wonderful and she enjoys reading this again and again. Issues that she did not understand: mothers that die and stepmothers that are mean and why people can smile without really meaning it. All topics for new exploration and understanding.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's a winner, March 16, 2009

By 

Sue G. (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

Bought this for my 5 year old granddaughter, who totally LOVED this story. She was able to verbalize that although the "old woman" wore a smile, she was really " a bad person". With this thought, she was able to make the connection of "bad people" in this world, who could fool you when they wear a smile and appear "nice" to you.
She also had favorite parts (the pictoral illustrations were wonderful!) which depicted "good" things, i.e., the "house made of sugar...", when the brother and sister demonstrated their cleverness and courage and how they protecting one another. This is now her favorite book that is read to her over and over. She loves it so much that her reading skills have also increased as she always asks, "what word is this?" so she can read it herself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, February 2, 2009

By 

jjmcgee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

Absolutely incredible illustrations and a lovely rendition of the story - it really flows off your tongue when reading aloud. Although I think they are above the target age for this book, my nine and eight year old kids ask for it to be read to them repeatedly. It would make a wonderful gift.