Hansel and Gretel [Hardcover]

Rachel Isadora (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora gives readers a stunning new interpretation of this classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, setting the infamous witch's cottage deep in a lush African forest. Hansel and Gretel's plight feels all the more threatening as they're plunged into the thick, dark jungle of Isadora's rich collages.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As in The Princess and the Pea (2007) and numerous other retellings, Isadora sets a traditional European fairy tale in an African setting. This time, Isadora chooses one of the scariest stories ever told about small kids who must fight evil, powerful adults. Spare prose combines with lush, bright cut-paper collage illustrations that show Hansel and Gretel abandoned in the dense forest, lured and locked up, and then finally triumphant after they trick the witch and push her into the burning oven. The immensely detailed double-page spreads are dense with jungle animals and plants, but the real terror is inside the witch’s house, filled with dark silhouettes. Drawing on beautiful, geometric African patterns common to traditional Kente cloth, Isadora balances her compositions with soothing white space. Kids will be held by this strong retelling of the familiar story about a brave boy and girl who overcome a looming threat and find their way home. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

Review

[Isadora pieces] colorfully patterned and hand-painted papers together to create bold, busy eye-catching scenes with a strong ethnic feel...[a] highly artistic...presentation. --School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (April 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039925028X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399250286
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hansel and Gretel with a new look, November 22, 2009

By 

Olivia Bayern "Seattle bookworm" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

I always loved this story but now I found a new rendition which is so original and creative that I love it even more. I just purchased two copies of this book from Amazon for my son's first grade class. The children all LOVED it! Some found it scary, which is good, but not so scary that they didn't want the teacher to read it 5 times! My son came home with drawings he had done in class based on the book illustrations. I have already discovered The Ugly Duckling, done in the same style as Hansel and Gretel, and love this book too. I think the collage work is great and I am a want to be artist so really appreciate the work that went into the artwork. I greatly admire Ms. Isadora and have been a fan for years.
I think everyone interested in children's books will enjoy this book....both young and old.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Ilustrations! I Love this Author!, June 6, 2010

By 

Alissa J. Porto "Lissy Pooh" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

Rachel Isadora retells fairy tales beautifully. I teach 4th grade in Brooklyn, NY. The children love when I read her stories. It is nice to see fairy tales that include people of different ethnic backgrounds. Not only that, her illustrations are beautiful! My eyes love looking at each page. Her books are worth buying at any price!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, A New and Original Hansel and Gretel!, May 27, 2010

By 

Street Guy Professor (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hansel and Gretel (Hardcover)

I love to discover new renditions of this story. I have quite a large collection of this story dating back to one printed in Germany from the 1930s. I think this is the most original that has come down the pike since. Isadora has found a great balance between originality, great art, scary business for children and fun. I will proudly add this book to my library and hope librarians do too....all over the country. Cheers to Ms. Isadora and Putnam Publishers!