Hansel and Gretel (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

~ James Marshall (Author) "Once upon a time in a cottage near a vast forest there lived a poor woodcutter, his wife, and his two children..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

James Marshall--creator of the well-loved George and Martha books--infuses merriment into the grimmest of the Brothers Grimm tales. His cheerful, cartoonish art is the perfect foil for this dark story, making it somewhat less scary, though by no means benign. A poor woodcutter lives with his wife and two children, Hansel and Gretel. His wife (the children's stepmother) doesn't like the youngsters, complaining, "Those wretched children of yours are gobbling everything up!" She persuades the loving but weak-willed woodcutter to take the children into the woods and abandon them to the wilderness. Hansel, first with white pebbles, then with bread crumbs, valiantly tries to lead his sister back to the house, but when the bread crumbs are eaten by birds, they are stuck. Much to their glee, the children eventually find a "small house made of cookies and candy, spun sugar and cake." But if you think this is a happy ending, think again! The weird, bawdy witch who lives in the delectable house cages Hansel (to fatten him up like a veal) and enslaves Gretel. Gretel pushes the witch into the oven as an unfortunate but necessary means to save her brother.

Marshall has winningly retold and illustrated other fairy tales, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Caldecott Honor Book. Here, Marshall's retelling of this rather horrifying story contains just the right comic touches to match his artwork. The text is set in large type, with short lines, making it a natural for first- or second-grade readers. Marshall's wonderful illustrations guarantee that the story of Hansel and Gretel will once again leave youngsters spellbound. (Ages 5 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Marshall's trademark wit and slyness mark every page of this effervescent interpretation. Never has there been a more horribly magnificent witch than his--an overstuffed, cackling harridan resplendent in scarlet costume, lipstick and rouge, her hair bedecked with incongruously delicate bows. She is matched, perhaps even surpassed, in girth by the woodcutter's bad-tempered wife, whose piggish eyes, ferocious countenance and caustic barbs will prompt delicious shivers. The children triumph over both in high style, proving themselves worthy successors to the fairytale characters who have previously found new life in Marshall's hands. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 10, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140508368
• ISBN-13: 978-0140508369
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,475 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderful if you don't mind ad libbing some of the story, October 21, 2003

By	HelpingDelayedKids.com "Margaret" (sf bay area, ca United States) - See all my reviews

I love this book....great illustrations...perfect for catching the imagination of my speech delayed 4 year old...but I agree with the first reviewer who said that the words are a bit scary...a la fratured fairy tales..so no problem, I changed the words as I read the story...because I don't want to explain why the woodcutter's wife actually was bad and wanted to leave the kids in the woods..but here is the funny part, my son figured out the whole story anywau and he loves it. We have re-enacted it out several times in floortime play...it is a great story for learning about feelings and emotions during pretend play.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not so great, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

Although the illustrations are easy for children to understand and relate to, the story is just not the greatest material for a supposedly humerous childrens' book. My daughter had a nightmare after I read her this book!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mom is not a good guy - a review of "Hansel and Gretel", December 29, 2006

By	Pam Tee "Harmless" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Just in case you didn't know it, this is one of the Brothers Grimm stories in which mom and dad are not good guys. [To me the mother is portrayed as being scarier than the witch.] In mom's case, faced with starvation, it is she who suggests leaving the children in the woods. In dad's case, he doesn't have the backbone to stand up to her, and thus he falls to villainy as well.

James Marshall stays with the original aspects of the story although he gives it his own twist with his highly distinctive art style.

On the positive side, the story highlights the children's creativeness in solving their problems. It ends with them coming home to the loving arms of their father. Their so-called mother has died while they were being held captive by the witch.

Four Stars. [B-] Marshall's usual clever artwork. Good Read-aloud. This book has more text than most of Marshall's efforts. There is a little name calling in places, and I agree with the other reviewer that this book isn't humorous.