Hansel and Gretel

by Susan Jeffers (Illustrator), Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

When they are left in the woods by their parents, two children find their way home despite an encounter with a wicked witch.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Classics, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.

Biography:

Graduate of Pratt Institute 1964
Worked in the publishing field for three years
Began freelance career in 1968
Published first children's book in 1970

Awards:

Caldecott Honor
Golden Apple Biennial Bratislava
The ABBY American Booksellers Best Book award
Society of Illustrators Awards of Merit
Golden Kite Society of Children's Books Author Illustrators

Reviews

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition translated by Mrs. Edgar Lucas and illustrated by Susan Jeffers.

[Sam Wojtaszek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps because I study fairy tales and write about them, I've waited so long to read this one to you. The look on Sam's face when he realized the evil motives of the stepmother, and Simon asking, "You wouldn't do that to us, would you?" just about broke my heart, as I knew it would. But by the end of the book, your spirits were lifted, you both were thrilled with the children's smart success and both of you made great observations, swearing that the stepmother and the witch were one in the same (in this version, they truly are-- they wear the same bonnet, as Simon pointed out, have the same angry face, and even call the children the same thing--lazy bones). I knew that Simon was very involved in this story by his wonderful predictions-- telling me before he had any idea what would happen "but the animals will eat up all his bread crumbs!"
Wonderful rendition of a classic Grimm tale that you both greatly enjoyed.

[Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic that doesn't get old. The writing is beautiful, old and artistic but one can still understand it.
The illustrations are beautiful as well.
A nice, quick, and simple classic to read as an adult or a child.

[Simon Wojtaszek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps because I study fairy tales and write about them, I've waited so long to read this one to you. The look on Sam's face when he realized the evil motives of the stepmother, and Simon asking, "You wouldn't do that to us, would you?" just about broke my heart, as I knew it would. But by the end of the book, your spirits were lifted, you both were thrilled with the children's smart success and both of you made great observations, swearing that the stepmother and the witch were one in the same (in this version, they truly are-- they wear the same bonnet, as Simon pointed out, have the same angry face, and even call the children the same thing--lazy bones). I knew that Simon was very involved in this story by his wonderful predictions-- telling me before he had any idea what would happen "but the animals will eat up all his bread crumbs!"
Wonderful rendition of a classic Grimm tale that you both greatly enjoyed.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version does not identify the woman as being either a mother or a stepmother to the children. At the beginning she is referred to as the woodcutter's wife. After that she is called the 'woman.' At the end, we are told that the woodcutter's wife had died.

I learned this, "Witches have red eyes and can't see very far, but their sense of smell is as keen as an animal's, and they know when human beings come close." and "Gretel had only the shells of crayfish to eat." (I hasten to add that shells are not edible.)

The combination of two styles of art enhances the story.

2005
My niece picked out this story as one of our bedtime reads.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving the illustrations a 5 but the story, maybe a 2. The illustrations are exquisite, but I had to laugh out loud at the words as the children were led to their death at least 3 times by their parents and then the witch. It was awful. Right now it seems more relaxing to me to read my children's books then try to focus on something longer.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures are much too bright for this dark story.