Overview
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 houselured Hansel and his sister, Gretel had forgotten two things about lost children: they can be very cleverand very brave.Synopsis
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.
Children's Literature
There is always room for a fresh retelling of the traditional tale of Hansel and Gretel. The essential elements are all here: the wicked stepmother, the weak father, the poverty and hunger, the tasty cottage, the evil witch and the brave, clever children. Rylant brings brisk life and emotion to her text, with reference to "guardian spirits" who watch over small children, especially those who have courage. At the end, the stepmother has conveniently died, and "Love would take care of the rest." Corace imagines this classic tale as a piece of theater; the scenes seem set on a stage. The characters have a doll-like character, as if someone manipulates their heads and limbs into set positions. The forests look like painted flats; even the witch's cottage lacks architectural dimensions. The eerie quiet in the scenes, the super-clean look, seem to cast a magic net to freeze time. This sophisticated version is clearly designed to appeal to esthetic instincts while maintaining few concerns for emotional content. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Editorials
Children's Literature -
There is always room for a fresh retelling of the traditional tale of Hansel and Gretel. The essential elements are all here: the wicked stepmother, the weak father, the poverty and hunger, the tasty cottage, the evil witch and the brave, clever children. Rylant brings brisk life and emotion to her text, with reference to "guardian spirits" who watch over small children, especially those who have courage. At the end, the stepmother has conveniently died, and "Love would take care of the rest." Corace imagines this classic tale as a piece of theater; the scenes seem set on a stage. The characters have a doll-like character, as if someone manipulates their heads and limbs into set positions. The forests look like painted flats; even the witch's cottage lacks architectural dimensions. The eerie quiet in the scenes, the super-clean look, seem to cast a magic net to freeze time. This sophisticated version is clearly designed to appeal to esthetic instincts while maintaining few concerns for emotional content. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia MarantzSchool Library Journal
K-Gr 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