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The Other Side of the Story
Trust Me, Hansel and Gretel Are SWEET!: The Story of Hansel and Gretel as Told by the Witch
The witch ate little children lost in the woods. That's the story everyone knows. But it's a nasty rumor! Settle in as the witch herself serves up a delicious twist on the classic fairy tale.
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
472 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Loewen
183 books47 followersNancy Loewen grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, surrounded by library books and cats. She's published more than 140 books for children. FOUR TO THE POLE (co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft) and THE LAST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN were Minnesota Book Award finalists. Her WRITER'S TOOLBOX series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers.
Nancy lives in Saint Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She has two adult children and a cat who sometimes bites her knees under the table as she writes.
Nancy lives in Saint Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She has two adult children and a cat who sometimes bites her knees under the table as she writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 21, 2020
A fairytale classic as told by the witch! Silly and fresh!
December 3, 2018
Surely you've heard the tale of Hansel and Gretel- it's truly a story that has stood the test of time. Why, even young children delight in telling the story of a brother and sister who became fascinated by an edible candy house only to find themselves escaping the wrath of an angry witch. This book, however, does not tell the Brothers Grimm version with which you are already familiar. No, Nancy Loewen took the plot of our age-old Hansel and Gretel tale and switched things up a bit for us! She creatively told the same story, maintaining the same plot structure, but from the perspective of the witch, who is desperate to convince readers that she is not the evil woman those famous siblings have always painted her to be. While claiming her innocence, the witch even attempts to convince readers that SHE is the victim. I mean, after all, her house was destroyed and she WAS thrown in a hot oven!
There are tons of activities that come to mind when I think of this folklore, picture book. For younger readers, say k-2, this would be a good story for analyzing story elements and could be used in small groups. In grades 3-5 I would challenge the students' prior knowledge by asking them to recall the version they are already familiar with to compare and contrast the two. It could be used as part of a social skills lesson to teach students about perception and how there is always more than one side to a story. Depending on the activity, I would even say this book could be used as a sixth grade read aloud to review point of view and persuasion.
I consider this book to be a WOW book because it challenged the way I thought of a story that has been ingrained in my mind from a very young age. This book, along with others from the series, can encourage students to dive deeper into stories, and even situations that arise in their own lives, to discover the side not told or immediately revealed. It is my mission to empower my students with the skills they will need to be responsible citizens, and this book has the potential to develop the preliminary questioning and critical thinking skills to be positive change makers.
There are tons of activities that come to mind when I think of this folklore, picture book. For younger readers, say k-2, this would be a good story for analyzing story elements and could be used in small groups. In grades 3-5 I would challenge the students' prior knowledge by asking them to recall the version they are already familiar with to compare and contrast the two. It could be used as part of a social skills lesson to teach students about perception and how there is always more than one side to a story. Depending on the activity, I would even say this book could be used as a sixth grade read aloud to review point of view and persuasion.
I consider this book to be a WOW book because it challenged the way I thought of a story that has been ingrained in my mind from a very young age. This book, along with others from the series, can encourage students to dive deeper into stories, and even situations that arise in their own lives, to discover the side not told or immediately revealed. It is my mission to empower my students with the skills they will need to be responsible citizens, and this book has the potential to develop the preliminary questioning and critical thinking skills to be positive change makers.
September 16, 2019
This is a twist on the regular story. This story takes a curve to your sweet tooth and is very good. The rhyming is wonderful and the illustrations will keep your kiddos coming back for more, and a cookie. Lol.
When the witch was young the others in her class were working on their spells and potions. She was working on her art, food sculpture art, polar bear mashed potatoes and her greatest accomplishment a house. She had to make a lot of scarecrows to keep the black birds from eating her house. One day she heard someone eating her house. It was Hansel and Gretel. They were very hungry. What did she do? Did she throw them in her oven? Did she get thrown in the oven? You know what I say, it's fun time, Listening/reading. Happy Book Time!!
When the witch was young the others in her class were working on their spells and potions. She was working on her art, food sculpture art, polar bear mashed potatoes and her greatest accomplishment a house. She had to make a lot of scarecrows to keep the black birds from eating her house. One day she heard someone eating her house. It was Hansel and Gretel. They were very hungry. What did she do? Did she throw them in her oven? Did she get thrown in the oven? You know what I say, it's fun time, Listening/reading. Happy Book Time!!
April 5, 2022
Genre: traditional literature, grades 1-2
This book is quite cute! It uses clever alternatives to explain the events of Hansel and Gretel is if the witch were the hero. I think that it could start an interesting class discussion on perspective and who narrates a story. However, if kids are looking for a faithful retelling of the dark and twisted original tale, they won't find it here. The more horrifying aspects were straight up omitted in order to make a nice witch a possibility. It's a great version of the story for younger students, but it doesn't live up to the creativity of the original. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
This book is quite cute! It uses clever alternatives to explain the events of Hansel and Gretel is if the witch were the hero. I think that it could start an interesting class discussion on perspective and who narrates a story. However, if kids are looking for a faithful retelling of the dark and twisted original tale, they won't find it here. The more horrifying aspects were straight up omitted in order to make a nice witch a possibility. It's a great version of the story for younger students, but it doesn't live up to the creativity of the original. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
October 1, 2017
Book Ratings for People Too Busy to Read Someone’s Opinion of a Book That They’re Sure to Disagree With Anyway. (Yes, this title is long but the rating is not.)
Initial Impression: The witch was an artist and her house was her masterwork.
Pictures: Exaggerated, funny.
Characters: The witch was like a surrogate mom to Hansel and Gretel. They were just two kids looking for a place to stay.
Plot: The witch explains how she really ended up in her oven.
One Line Summary: The witch, Hansel, and Gretel will have something to laugh about as they grow older.
Initial Impression: The witch was an artist and her house was her masterwork.
Pictures: Exaggerated, funny.
Characters: The witch was like a surrogate mom to Hansel and Gretel. They were just two kids looking for a place to stay.
Plot: The witch explains how she really ended up in her oven.
One Line Summary: The witch, Hansel, and Gretel will have something to laugh about as they grow older.
December 16, 2021
Kids LOVE to hear a twist on a story that they already know and love. Hearing Fractured Fairytales might inspire students to put their own twist on stories they know and love. It allows freedom and creativity, but they don't have to start from scratch... I use this story, and several others also listed, as examples or mentors to get kids thinking about how they can choose a different perspective and try to make an old story new. Kids like to write them and I love to hear what they come up with!
July 4, 2025
One of the better "retelling the fairytale from the POV of the villain" picture book I've read. I appreciated that the author twisted it so the witch really wasn't eating children, and she truly was more of a noble character. The last time I read a picture book villain POV book, it was more just making excuses and justifying actions, and that's not a lesson I want my kids to think is ok. There was still a villain that receives comeuppance (the stepmother, who deserves it.) My older elementary boys thought it was fun, and are interested in hearing more from this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
This is a fun twist on the classic Hansel and Gretel story, told from the witch’s perspective. Instead of being scary, the witch is portrayed as kind and creative, and the story focuses on her art, food sculptures, and the candy house she built. Hansel and Gretel are still hungry and curious, but the tale omits the darker elements of the original. The rhyming text is playful, and the illustrations are charming, making it a cute and engaging read for younger students. It’s a lighthearted version that’s entertaining, though not the traditional spooky story some might expect. I loved this!!
March 11, 2020
i am trying to think what fairy tale is my fave ... yeah, right?? that will never happen ... they are all great for so many different reasons. i guess it is the point of what u want to learn ... or what you are open to learning at the time u might read the book? u have to be open. i think u can learn from so many folks ... authors. great illustrations!!
March 29, 2021
This story is a good twist on the story of Hansel and Gretel that I grew up hearing. The witch tries to convince us that she is the victim. This book tells the story from her point of view and it gives students a chance to decide if they really think she's that bad. It was really funny also, overall a very fun read!
April 26, 2022
grade range: 3-5
genre: traditional fantasy
This book was great! I loved the twist on the classic fairy tale. I found it very refreshing. What I did find very cool was the Critical Thinking Using the Common Core guide in the back of the book with a list of vocabulary that could be used during a lesson.
genre: traditional fantasy
This book was great! I loved the twist on the classic fairy tale. I found it very refreshing. What I did find very cool was the Critical Thinking Using the Common Core guide in the back of the book with a list of vocabulary that could be used during a lesson.
November 7, 2016
So relieved to have found a version of this fairy tale that I could feel comfortable sharing in a library story time for pre-school age children. Whew! I made one adjustment--changing "step-mother" to "cook".
October 30, 2017
This was such a cute take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Nor Nanowrimo this year I am writing short stories based on the people and creatures from some classic myths, folk tales, fairy tales, and or legends. Read this to see how others did it.
June 25, 2018
This book is a springboard to bring the classic story of Hansel and Gretel back to your classroom. I ABSOLUTELY loved the witch’s perspective. At the end of the book there are CCSS where you can compare and contrast both texts. This book will be in my classroom!
October 30, 2021
Trust Me, Hansel and Gretel Are Sweet! (The Other Side of the Story) by Nancy Loewen – This is on kindle unlimited. I’m loving this plot twist! Turning stories on their head is always a joy, but Nancy Loewen has a true knack! Happy Reading!
September 19, 2017
I loved reading from the witch's point of view. A great book for kids
December 22, 2017
4.5. Love the reading questions at the end & how this version can be compared to the original story//discussed through other character POVs 💕 also i'm quite fond of the witch in this version 🍬🍰🍭🍩🏡💗
January 5, 2018
Fairly obvious happy-joy-joy story, but still funny
July 23, 2018
I honestly thought it would say something like; To be frank Hansel and Gretel were revolting; or something like that. Good book but huge bummer!
August 6, 2018
Fun twist on the classic fairy tale. Better fit as a classroom tool than for independent reading.
February 17, 2019
This was an interesting read for perspective with young students. They enjoyed the new story and were able to understand different points of view after reading this book and others in the series.
October 1, 2019
I adore alternative fairy tales. And the art is so cute! It's a whole series that I'm almost definitely going to power through.
November 27, 2019
I really liked the story
Because I really liked the story.
I did not like when the world stepmother pushed the whitch in the oven,it was so scary.
My mom,dad,granny,auntie
Because I really liked the story.
I did not like when the world stepmother pushed the whitch in the oven,it was so scary.
My mom,dad,granny,auntie
May 19, 2020
I didn’t mind this version. One of the better books in this series.
May 30, 2020
Great book!
Funny story, great read for the family, my daughter loved it! Would definitely read again!
Will for sure be buying more of your books.
Funny story, great read for the family, my daughter loved it! Would definitely read again!
Will for sure be buying more of your books.
September 15, 2020
A fun short story from the witch's point of view. A good story for children and adults.
September 25, 2020
A non-nightmare inducing version of a classic tale.
January 30, 2021
Good witch
I wanted my 8 daughter to read the stories I grew up with. She enjoyed the story especially the "good witch". It was a quick fun read for her.
I wanted my 8 daughter to read the stories I grew up with. She enjoyed the story especially the "good witch". It was a quick fun read for her.
May 20, 2021
This is a very entertaining twist on Hansel and Gretel. We loved the illustrations and appreciated the witch and her passion for food creativity.
June 5, 2021
I really really like this version so sweet and warm. =)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews