Grimm's Fairy Tales

by Roy Nemerson (adaptor), Jacob Grimm

For generations, readers have enjoyed classic literature. They have delighted in the romance of Jane Austen, thrilled at the adventures of Jules Verne, and pondered the lessons of Aesop. Introduce young readers to these familiar volumes with Great Illustrated Classics. In this series, literary masterworks have been adapted for young scholars. Large, easy-to-read type and charming pen-and-ink drawings enhance the text. Students are sure to enjoy becoming acquainted with traditional literature through these well-loved classics.

Genres: Classics, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Princesses

237 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspired by Stephen King’s Fairy Tales, I checked this book out from the library. I originally read Grimm’s Fairy Tales when I was six years old (77 years ago!.) It was a big book with beautiful colored illustrations. I read it over and over. Wish I could find that edition.

This adaptation of the classics falls short, much too modern. It lacks the magic of the originals. The drawings were lackluster, in fact Cinderella’s mother looked like Leona Helmsley!! But the moral of the stories is still there - don’t talk to strangers (or wolves), always be nice to dwarfs and look out for step-mothers!!

Gotta go now and get that pea out from under my mattress. My back has been killing me!!

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to find this edition contains "The Princess and the Pea," which the Grimms later eliminated from their first edition because it wasn't a German tale (it's one of Andersen's stories).

[Danielle H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've had this book for about 10 years and I'm not sure why I never read it until now, but I sort of wish I hadn't read it. I've read Grimm Fairy Tales before and I usually like them a lot. But this version, Great Illustrated Classics, was horrible. The stories were shortened quite a bit, and were just not very enjoyable to read. Maybe it's just that it's been a while since I read Grimm Fairy Tales, but these stories were not like the ones I know. I may have deluded myself over time and convinced myself that these stories have more substance than they do. Grimm Fairy Tales are always outlandish.
A quote from Tom Thumb, "One thing is for sure. No matter what, we will never sell you again."
Most of the pictures were nice though. There are different artists, so each story has a different style of art. It was a nice touch.

[Sabrina Bellesbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

well, those were some interesting versions of the classics.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a little girl and I loved it. The stories are short and sweet. But now I don't like it very much.

[Jae Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of edited fairy tales, originally penned by the infamous Grimm Brothers, would make any lover of the originals cringe. Sure, they are edited for children, but for generations, children have read the original stories just fine. These are rewritten in a way that makes them very Disney-esque, which simply ruins the original stories and makes them a little too safe, in my opinion. Great Illustrated Classics has a habit of dumbing down the great classic books that they tackle. If something is too strong, too horrific, or too violent for children to read, they should simply wait until they are old enough to handle it and read the original works. This received two stars instead of one from me because the illustrations were nice. I had sought a copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales from my public library for research as I tackle a second volume of original fairy tales of my own. This was of no help, except it showed me what 'not' to do. I've recommended to my library that they purchase a real and honest version of the book for the shelves, and leave this one to those who believe fairy tales are nothing more than Disney princesses and whimsical animals.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, first of all this book should NOT be grouped with all other Grimm's fairy tales. Goodreads really needs to split some of them out. This review is for the "Great Illustrated Classics version of Grimm's Fairy Tales." First off, while these are tales originally told by the Grimm Brothers, these are not the original versions... which I've read can be a bit more gruesome. These were versions that tried to stick to the original, minus the crazy parts. My 7-year-old daughter enjoyed them. We discussed the differences between these stories and versions that we'd read elsewhere.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

1898 edition by Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia--the older, gritty version of Tales, not the warm, fuzzy modern versions.

Interesting that most tales have two plot lines, which intersect to make the story.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems that there are a lot of kings who have a third son who is dumb but beats out the older brothers....or wicked step mothers who mistreat their children. I'm glad I read this but was disappointed in a lot of the tales.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The adapter of these tales did a so-so job. There were parts that were confusing, and the illustrations didn't always match the text in its details.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love fairy tales, always have, always will. Even watered down versions like this.

[Brandi Laubscher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the book I was hoping for.

[Sami Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princesses, villains, dwarfs, and even monsters, these are just a few of the characters “Great Illustrated Classics, Grimm’s Fairy Tales” has to offer. This book is full of mini fairy tales from the kings of fairy tales, the Grimms brothers, but is a specially adapted version by Roy Nemerson. Most of these stories include magic, which makes the plot so much more interesting! The magic is either the problem in the story or the resolution. The best part of this book is that it has multiple stories in it, and if you get tired of one story you can skip to the next one! Each character learns a valuable lesson that affects them for the rest of their lives, and if the character doesn’t learn a lesson, you do! For example in “The Golden Goose” the eldest son is very smart but a terrible person, the middle son is smart, but he is rude, and the youngest son was not smart at all, but he had a good heart, so he get the opportunity to own a goose that lays solid gold eggs. He ends up rich and with a wife. He didn’t directly learn anything but we learn that being smart is good, but what really matters is what’s in your heart.
The genre fantasy is very interesting, it's got magic, witches, princes, and elves. This book has all of those! This book is practically the definition of fantasy. It fits perfectly into the fantasy genre. The Grimms brothers practically invented fantasy and fairy tale, and all these stories in the book are written by the Grimms brothers. Based on my research on the Grimms brothers, this book is full of the classic stories written by the Grimms brothers. These stories were a few of the first stories the Grimms brothers ever wrote. Fantasy is all about magical things that could never happen in real life. This book can take your thoughts to the setting that the story takes place in. It’s like you’re there with Rapunzel as she climbs out of the tower to escape the witch. Or in the same room as Rumpelstiltskin as he’s spinning wheat into straw. If you were to describe fantasy, everything you were to say about it would be included in this book.
I love this book because you can read it over and over again and not get bored because there are so many stories and each teaches a good lesson. The author twists these stories just enough so that you can read this already knowing the tale of Snow White and come out of it with more of the stories lessons and details. Since this book offers so many mini stories, people that like different forms of fantasy can enjoy different stories, like one of these stories have someone dancing to death, while another one have a princess finding true love after one hundred years sleeping. I think people will enjoy this book because of it’s many illustrations and the added details the author put into the classic tales we grew up with. I highly recommend this book if you love disney movies, adventure, or romance. Now what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a copy of “Great Illustrated Classics, Grimm’s Fairy Tales” today!

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a little girl and I loved it. The stories are short and sweet.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimm's Fairy tale is different stories. It is fun to read!

[Kaila Matney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abridged version of Grimm's Fairy Tales.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this mini book as a child!
These mini books help me inspired me to read the complete versions!

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

[Bradley]

Y’know, it was only a quarter but I did pay money for this book. Alas, I coulda had a gumball.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun reading through these fairy tales with my son. There were actually a couple of the stories I wasn't too familiar with.

[Salam Almahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had a great time with this book, my sisters, I and our friends.
The most important moment is when I was admitted in the hospital ill and depressed, my little sister used to come and read me these fairy tales, and we would soar in these worlds of utter wonderfulness!
In sleepovers when our friends come over, we read it. In normal days we read some more and it just reminded me of the quote by C.S. Lewis "“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”
Last but not least: The Grimm brothers are geniuses with an infinite imagination.

[Camille ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairy tales with fewer fairies.

Here are my thoughts while reading:
Sleeping Beauty:
What happened to the dragons? I thought the seventh fairy brought dragons to the castle, but there's no mention of them when the prince came.
I'm not sure if I like this version than the one I've grown up with. I didn't feel passion and love when the prince came. I feel like he just went there out of curiosity because it was said that the castle was haunted. He may have just went in to show bravery; he's a prince after all.

Rumpelstiltskin:
Isn't this cheating?

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit entertaining, in that most of the fairy tales in it are short yet sweet.
They are fun and whimsical while offering up tales of Kings and Princes
to young maidens who spin or kiss frogs and ride off on tails of wood foxes...

I enjoyed it, I hope to share it someday with my own children!

[Bethany Lovhaug]

sleeping beauty, snow whate, the elvesand the shoemaker, hansel and gretel, rumpelstiltskin, little red riding hood, rapunzel, the golden goose, the princess and the pea, cinderella, tom thumb

This is the original, more gory version of the stories that most kids grew up on. You can use this to compare and contrast.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of 11 Grimm's Fairy tales. They are simplified and include illustrations. I read this to my 3 yr old daughter and she enjoyed them. They were just long enough to keep her attention.

[Natasia Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I know the real story of Rapunzel..

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned some new things about these fairy tales in this book. The illustrations were fun. My favorite story was Tom Thumb it was cute! I love fairy tales so much.

[Imani ♥ ☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

None of the stories in this book were really like the Disney movies. Go figure.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved every single fairytale in the book.
Extremely entertaining.

[Diane Kimberly]

This is a book of Short story-Fairy tales. It is also interesting.