Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

by Wanda Gág, Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of us all?" repeatedly asks the Queen, Snow White's stepmother. She always gets the answer she wants, until Snow White turns seven, and the mirror must truthfully answer, "Snow White." At the news, the Queen turns yellow and green with envy and commands the huntsman to kill Snow White and bring her "lung and liver as a token." Thus begins another enchanting fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm!

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Classics, Fantasy, Germany, Fiction

44 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Wanda Hazel Gág (pronounced GOG) was an American author and illustrator. She was born on March 11, 1893, in New Ulm, Minnesota. Her mother, Elisabeth Biebl, and father, Anton, were of Bohemian descent. Both parents were artists who had met in Germany. They had seven children, who all acquired some level of artistic talent. Gág grew up the eldest of these, and despite their economic hardships, the family was surrounded by music, art, light, and love, making it for the most part a joyous existence.

When Gág was 15, her father died of tuberculosis; his final words to her were: "Was der Papa nicht thun konnt', muss die Wanda halt fertig machen." ("What Papa couldn't do, Wanda will have to finish.") Following Anton's death the family was on welfare, and some townspeople thought that Gág should quit high school and get a steady job to help support her family. Despite this pressure, Gág continued her studies. After graduating in 1912, she taught country school in Springfield, Minnesota, from November 1912 to June 1913.

In 1917, she illustrated A Child’s Book of Folk-Lore, following which she worked on many different projects and became a well-known artist and author. Her art exhibition in the New York Public Library in 1923 was the true beginning of her fame. She gained a reputation as an illustrator for socialist publications such as The New Masses, and she considered herself a feminist and advocate of free love in the 1920s. She did not marry her lover until later in life, for instance, although she lived with him before they wed.

She was especially esteemed for her lithographs, though today if her name is known at all it is usually from her children's books, specifically the classic Millions of Cats, which won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958. Gág also received the Newbury Honor Award for this book, and the combined effects of it and her exhibition gave her the funds she needed to carry on her work without stress.

She died in New York City on June 27, 1946.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written from the fairy tales. This book came out in 1938 which is at the end of the Great Depression so it’s amazing anyone was publishing a book in that day few could afford to buy. I have learned that I really enjoy Wanda Gag’s stories, but besides the ones that won a book award she is hard to find around nowadays. Walt Disney’s Snow White came out in 1939, so this is before that time period. This is first.

The interesting thing about this is that the Evil Queen tries to kill Snow White 3 times: once with tying her corset to tight, once with a poison comb and then the apple we all know. In this story, the prince does not wake Snow White with a kiss, he has his servants carry her off to his kingdom and as they jostle the crystal casket the apple lodged in her throat comes lose and she wakes on her own. They go off to be married and the Evil Queen in invited to the wedding and she finds out who is to be married and is in a rage. she has to go to the wedding.

The little differences are interesting. The illustrations were quaint. This was a little too long for the kids as they go squirmy. I enjoyed this.

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I do have to admit that Wanda Gág's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is probably one of the best and most true to the Brothers Grimm's (1857 edition) original German language text English renditions of Schneewittchen (of the Grimms' Snow White) I have read to date (and yes, it is indeed in all ways absolutely superior to that cloyingly sweetly saccharine and often just annoyingly silly Walt Disney movie adaptation, which I have in fact despised since childhood and which Wanda Gág obviously equally hated, as supposedly, she both penned and illustrated her for the most part literal German to English translation of the Grimms' Schneewitchen in disgusted response to the Disney movie version of said tale), I also must say that no matter how good, no matter in fact how wonderful and even amazing ANY version of Schneewittchen might be (and in whatever language, whether German, French, Italian whatever), it is simply not a story, which thematics and contents I like or even can appreciate all that much as a folktale in and of itself. And no, it is not really, it is not so much the rather standard sexism and gender/social stratifications of the Snow White types of folktales that make me cringe and groan (although the fact that Snow White basically becomes an unpaid servant to the seven dwarves does at least at times annoy me rather stridently), but more that both Snow White and also to a certain extent even the seven dwarves are usually, are generally depicted and presented as naive and actually as pretty darn STUPID in fact. I mean, it is understandable and even acceptable that Snow White falls for the evil tricks of her murderous stepmother once, but that exactly the same thing then happens two more times and even after the dwarves have repeatedly warned Snow White is pretty annoying and makes her totally appear as just so incredibly ditzy and ignorant. And while I guess this here scenario could also be considered as being inherently sexist (you know, the typical thoughtless and giddy female), actually the seven dwarves themselves (at least in my humble opinion) behave not all that intelligently with regard to protecting Snow White from her evil stepmother either (as I personally do find it rather strange that they only start to consider keeping one of the dwarves at home after Snow White has died for the third time from that poisoned apple and in order to guard her coffin when realistically, it would at least in my humble opinion have made considerably more common sense for one of the dwarves to remain as Snow White's guardian and protector whilst she was still alive and due to her obvious naiveté and trusting nature such a perfect target for her stepmother's murderous machinations). And therefore, while I do indeed find and consider Wanda Gág's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves a truly successful and authentic reading and feeling translation of the Grimms' original Schneewittchen tale (with lovely black and white accompanying illustrations that provide a glowing complement to and for the presented translation but thankfully without ever overpowering or overshadowing the printed words, the storyline self), from a personal reading pleasure point of departure, I just do not enjoy and yes have never enjoyed the Brothers Grimms' Schneewittchen enough theme and content wise to consider it as more than a three star ranking story at best (albeit truth be told, if I were actually simply analysing how Wanda Gág has rendered, how she has penned her Snow White and the Seven Dwarves on a strictly structural and translative level, I would more than likely consider four if not perhaps even five stars).

[Jim Erekson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the picturebook biography of Wanda Gag I wanted to see some more of her work beyond Millions of Cats. This was a great version, which hews closely to the Grimm original, and adds in some elements from Three Bears for dialog. I wished Gag and the editing and design team had done more to ensure there were more full-page illustrations. The spot illustrations are great decorative touches, but Gag is at her best when she keeps the whole frame to her meticulous drawings.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caldecott Honor--1939

Why would you choose a Disney version when you have the beautiful artistry and rich language of Wanda Gag? A perfect classic picture book.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version leaves me scratching my head somewhat. We have shades of the Three Bears with the whole, eating-drinking-sleeping aspect (and drinking wine? She's so young...!) and then the book ends with a comeuppance that has to do with dancing shoes. So with the mashup of fairy tales, this story feels somewhat new. Which was strange but I kind of liked it.

On the other hand, just how stupid is this girl? Three times the witch comes, and by the second time Snow White is all "I can't let strangers in" and then does anyway. I mean does she LEARN? Yikes. And the Prince wanting to take home her corpse just..because?

Definitely a strange version. Loved the illustrations though. Just not sure what I think. I'm putting 4 stars only because I keep thinking about it long after I've read it. (is that good?)

[Laura5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a special place in my heart for Wanda Gág - her illustrations are just so charming and delightful. I have a copy of one of her illustrations framed and hanging in my home (very #nerdybookclub of me, I know). She is also from Minnesota - and I also love to love hometown talents.

This is one I would love to have a copy of in my personal collection.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the tiny lines of the Gag’s illustrations in her retelling of Snow White. This version is a bit wordy for sharing with really young kids, but it tells the full story rather than the Disney-fied short form, which I think focuses more on the romance than the wickedness of the queen. I was surprised at how late in the story the prince turns up!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the familiar story of Snow White. While I appreciate the black and white illustrations by Gag, there are other versions with color illustrations that I enjoy more.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanda Gág, the celebrated children's author and artist who was awarded numerous honors for her work - atypically, both Millions of Cats and The ABC Bunny were chosen as Newbery Honor titles, a distinction rarely granted to picture-books - turns in this charming book to the classic fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm. More of an illustrated book than a proper picture-book - it is very text dense, with half-page and inset illustrations on most pages - it presents a traditional retelling of the story, with all of the major details - the evil Queen's three attempts to harm her stepdaughter, Snow White; the crystal casket fashioned by the seven dwarfs for their seemingly slain young friend - intact.

I enjoyed this retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was one of five Caldecott Honor Books in 1939 - the other four include Andy and the Lion , Barkis , The Forest Pool and Wee Gillis - and the first of two Caldecott Honor titles from Gág. The artwork is charming - I particularly liked the dwarfs' little hut, both inside and out - and the story appealing. I don't know that it is one of my personal favorites, when it comes to retellings of this tale - that honor would go to Josephine Poole and Angela Barrett's Snow White or Trina Schart Hyman's Snow White - but it is definitely worth reading. Recommended to young fairy-tale lovers, and to fans of Wanda Gág's artwork.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This retelling of the Grimms' version of the tale is a very quick read, and the black and white illustrations are very fine companions to the narrative. Thankfully, it is a far richer and more psychological telling, more nuance and the story concludes not with a kiss from the prince but with her glass sarcophagus being dropped which loosened the piece of poison apple in her throat, bringing her back to life. My favorite illustration is of the wicked queen standing before her truth-telling mirror while a peacock looks on. This volume being published the year after the release of Walt Disney's version that is so imprinted on the minds of us who are older, so I wonder whether the publisher was taking advantage of that popularity or presenting it as counterpoint.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been waiting forever to get my hands on a copy of this book, which won a 1939 Caldecott Honor award, and the last one I needed to read for that year. "Wee Gillis" is still my favorite from 1939. This is a good version, with cute little illustrations at the top of the pages, though the dwarves look more like gnomes. It is one of the most accurate versions I've seen, i.e. following the real Grimm Brothers story instead of the Disney-fied happy ending version. It was a bit too long to hold most preschoolers attention span, but the older kids would probably like it. Recommended for ages 5-8, 3 stars.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read aloud to my children but if the book is not well written it can become a real chore. Wanda Gag's Caldecott Honor books that we've recently read; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Nothing at All were such a delight. I was able to really get into the stories with my children and read with so much expression. The pictures are very interesting too. I had forgotten how much more there is to the Snow White story besides Disney's version. So many themes available to discuss with your children, stranger danger, jealousy to name a few.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the well known story by the Brother's Grimm I thought it was really interesting how this story was different from all the snow white versions that I remember, but I thought this version was definitely better. It kind of had a couple elements of other stories in here, but I thought the illustrations were pretty good and the story line was only slightly unbelievable.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Maria Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

• 1939 Caldecott Honor Book •

The illustrations are beautiful and I love the text, but the layout is rather awkward. I wish there were more full page illustrations; it looks like it was sort of thrown together. I do love this version of Snow White which I believe is much more faithful to the original Grimm Brothers story than the Disney version.

Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book this afternoon. I'm so used to the Disney version of this story that it was refreshing to read another version. For Snow White to be a child was also new for me as I've always thought of her as a late teen who could marry the handsome prince. Sweet little illustrations add to the wonder of this work.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a weird story for modern readers, as are all the original Grimm fairy tales. (Wanda Gág translated from the original.) But I thought the story was well-translated, and I enjoyed the illustrations!

[Manjun Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is my most familiar Grimm's fairy tale. Fairy tale is one of the offshoots of folk tales. It is a traditional story with a long history, which following the characteristic of folk tales. The magic mirror of the queen in the story also implies that the name of fairy tale is derived from "magic". In this book, the characters are all single. For example, the queen is a very bad person, while Snow White and Dwarfs are perfect good people. It is in keeping with folk literature.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is not to make children feel fear, violence, and waste of time. Though the queen is wicked, but the friendship between Snow White and seven dwarfs is very warm. At the same time, the story is far from the children's real life in time and place, so it will not cause too much psychological impact on children. On the other hand, what the story is about is worth the students' time, because children will believe that good is rewarded with good and evil with evil through it.
Although it is the fairy tale I am most familiar with, I have different understanding and idea every time. Therefore, I am willing to use this book in my future classroom. When I read the story today, I think Snow White is too weak on guard and do not learn lesson. Such character flaws show that it just is a story, not a fact.

[Vladimir Putin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is she the one that sleeps then eats an apple and dies? If so I love this book

[Amanda Casteel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author/ Illustrator: Wanda Ga'g

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Publication Info: Smithmark Publishers: 1999

Reading Level: late early

Topic/Theme: fairy tales

Issues Addressed: murder, jealousy

Classroom Uses: Read Aloud, Individual Reading, paired reading

Summary: This is a translation from the original Grimm brothers tale. Snow White is beautiful and the most fair in the land. She abides with seven dwarfs. The wicked queen wants to kill Snow White. She succeeds, but then Snow White lives...how? You just have to read the tale.

Text and image: The images are black and white. This goes against the colorful storyline. The images support the text; however, some of the placement of the illustrations make the text more difficult to read.

Literary Devices: foreshadowing

[Londa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful version of this age old fairy tale. The black and white illustrations are perfect! The 8 year old boy was not as impressed as I was, and I sort of expected that. He did like the pictures, but thought the story itself wasn't very interesting. He was irritated with how naive Snow White was and yelled "REALLY!!" every time she opened the door and fell for another of the witch's tricks. I can't argue with him there... Snow was kind of dense. :D If I were to choose a Snow White book for my personal library though, this one would be it!

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

1939 Caldecott Honor

Favorite illustration: The house of the Seven Dwarfs

Kid-appeal: It is pretty long, but both my girls (7 and 10) hung right in there with the book and loved pointing out the differences to the Disney version of the story. The illustrations were great, though small in comparison to the voluminous amounts of text.

[Iustina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is nice. It's very simple, but you can feel a magic atmosphere when you read it. You don't even recognize that you're reading a Fairy Tale.

The thing that have impressed me is Snow-white's age. She so young! How has she been able to get married?

Otherwise, I think the books is just cute, so my grade is three stars.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Caldecott Honor classic tale. But the art was just okay, and the story was the classic tale without improvements. If you are not the most beautiful in the world you should kill your rival, even if she is your seven year old step-daughter. And a woman's job is to clean up after men. And clearly a woman is too dumb to avoid being fooled three times - or perhaps only pretty ones.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

1939 Caldecott Honor

I remember reading this one as a child. The pictures were very familiar to me. It has a very Goldilocks and the Three Bears feel to it in the middle. And I didn't realize she was born in MN. I have been to her hometown.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Released independently the same year as the Disney film adaptation, and awarded a Caldecott Honor, this version is more faithful to the traditional story. The illustrations are pleasant, if not glorious, and the story is fun, but not sensational. The ending seems abrupt and not well concluded.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a translation of the fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm. I'm so used to the Disney version of the story, I had forgotten how different it is from the original fairy tale. It was a nice translation and I always enjoy Wanda Gag's illustrations.

[Jdn1]

This book tells the original classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This book contains few illustrations, so it relies on very descriptive details to creative a children's masterpiece. I would recommend this for lower education (k-2).

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caldecott honor.
Lovely pictures. Closer to "original" story.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traditional retelling with Queen trying to kill her three times, and a format like the Three Little Bears asking who ate and slept from the Dwarf's. The soft delicate illustrations are stunning.