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The Road to Bremen
Their lives are saved by a dream. But only friendship can make that dream a reality.
Once upon a time...
Etzel the donkey is getting old, but he works hard on his farm—until the day Herr Hoffman decides he is no longer worth keeping. With no choice but to escape, Etzel sets off on the road to Bremen to seek his fortune as a musician. On the way, he rescues three other animals—a dog, a cat, and a rooster—who are also old and destined for death.
Will these four new friends find their success and worth as musicians in Bremen? Or does the road hold something better?
Once upon a time...
Etzel the donkey is getting old, but he works hard on his farm—until the day Herr Hoffman decides he is no longer worth keeping. With no choice but to escape, Etzel sets off on the road to Bremen to seek his fortune as a musician. On the way, he rescues three other animals—a dog, a cat, and a rooster—who are also old and destined for death.
Will these four new friends find their success and worth as musicians in Bremen? Or does the road hold something better?
- GenresRetellingsFantasy
138 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2019
12 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey Bryant
38 books218 followersRaised in a house with thousands of books, Kelsey Bryant has been writing stories ever since she can remember and dreaming of when her books would join the ranks. Now a copyeditor as well, she loves helping other writers achieve their dreams.
She draws inspiration for her writing from the Greatest Story Ever Told, which culminates in the Messiah’s salvation offered to every person. Her life would be meaningless without her relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). She’s also inspired by the classics, especially the works of her favorite authors Jane Austen, Elizabeth Goudge, L. M. Montgomery, and Elizabeth Gaskell.
Like some of her fictional characters, she grew up homeschooled. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, she now lives in the Texas Panhandle with her husband, their entitled but affectionate half-Siamese, and their hyper yet sweet German shepherd. As an avid student of the Bible, she’s trying to make Hebrew her second language. To counteract all that time at a desk, she loves being active, especially dancing, practicing martial arts, and exploring whatever beautiful places she can find in the great outdoors.
She draws inspiration for her writing from the Greatest Story Ever Told, which culminates in the Messiah’s salvation offered to every person. Her life would be meaningless without her relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). She’s also inspired by the classics, especially the works of her favorite authors Jane Austen, Elizabeth Goudge, L. M. Montgomery, and Elizabeth Gaskell.
Like some of her fictional characters, she grew up homeschooled. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, she now lives in the Texas Panhandle with her husband, their entitled but affectionate half-Siamese, and their hyper yet sweet German shepherd. As an avid student of the Bible, she’s trying to make Hebrew her second language. To counteract all that time at a desk, she loves being active, especially dancing, practicing martial arts, and exploring whatever beautiful places she can find in the great outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 22, 2019
Utterly charming! A tale full of heart. <3
I've always loved the fairytale of the Bremen Town Musicians, the old donkey and dog and cat and rooster on the road to become musicians in Bremen. I have fond memories of hearing an audio version of the story, and a particular picture book I found fascinating with pictures I remember vividly.
So when I heard Kelsey Bryant was writing a retelling of it, I was ecstatic! Her pen skillfully brought this story to life in this novella-sized children's book, complete with charming illustrations by E. Kaiser Writes.
I loved how it felt true to the original tale but brought out new and unexpected things too, with some excellent twists and turns! It has its own share of excitement and adventure and, yes, peril at times! But it still feels so absolutely cozy at the same time, which made me happy. :)
The Road to Bremen is like a golden sunbeam across a field of wheat on a quiet summer day. It just FEELS lovely. You want to bask in it as you read. It's rich and well-written and draws you along like a breeze calling you to the shade of the forest. You can feel the dust of the road and you'll smile or laugh at the quiet humor or the banter between these larger-than-life (but so REAL!) animal characters as they go on their adventure.
The characters are so loveable! Etzel the donkey, from whose perspective the story is told, absolutely stole my heart. I just love this donkey and his voice! He has so much character. Jager the dog is sort of mournful but funny. XD Katarina is so CAT-like and prim, and I loved the dog-vs.-cat references. And then Rudiger is so extremely vain and always quoting Aesop and it's great. XD I just love them all! You have to read this to meet them! There are a couple of human characters, of course, who add to the story, but I won't spoil anything by talking about them. ;)
Also, I love that it's set in Germany and how there are German words thrown in here and there. I felt so immersed in the forest and town and roads and setting. It made me think a little of Melanie Dickerson's fairytale retellings and made me feel at home. :)
I totally recommend this if you enjoy retellings and need a quick, novella-sized read, or if you have children in your life. I feel like it would be a wonderful book to read aloud!
Just— *hugs book* It feels totally classic and makes me happy! ^_^
Disclaimer: I beta-read this book. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.
I've always loved the fairytale of the Bremen Town Musicians, the old donkey and dog and cat and rooster on the road to become musicians in Bremen. I have fond memories of hearing an audio version of the story, and a particular picture book I found fascinating with pictures I remember vividly.
So when I heard Kelsey Bryant was writing a retelling of it, I was ecstatic! Her pen skillfully brought this story to life in this novella-sized children's book, complete with charming illustrations by E. Kaiser Writes.
I loved how it felt true to the original tale but brought out new and unexpected things too, with some excellent twists and turns! It has its own share of excitement and adventure and, yes, peril at times! But it still feels so absolutely cozy at the same time, which made me happy. :)
The Road to Bremen is like a golden sunbeam across a field of wheat on a quiet summer day. It just FEELS lovely. You want to bask in it as you read. It's rich and well-written and draws you along like a breeze calling you to the shade of the forest. You can feel the dust of the road and you'll smile or laugh at the quiet humor or the banter between these larger-than-life (but so REAL!) animal characters as they go on their adventure.
The characters are so loveable! Etzel the donkey, from whose perspective the story is told, absolutely stole my heart. I just love this donkey and his voice! He has so much character. Jager the dog is sort of mournful but funny. XD Katarina is so CAT-like and prim, and I loved the dog-vs.-cat references. And then Rudiger is so extremely vain and always quoting Aesop and it's great. XD I just love them all! You have to read this to meet them! There are a couple of human characters, of course, who add to the story, but I won't spoil anything by talking about them. ;)
Also, I love that it's set in Germany and how there are German words thrown in here and there. I felt so immersed in the forest and town and roads and setting. It made me think a little of Melanie Dickerson's fairytale retellings and made me feel at home. :)
I totally recommend this if you enjoy retellings and need a quick, novella-sized read, or if you have children in your life. I feel like it would be a wonderful book to read aloud!
Just— *hugs book* It feels totally classic and makes me happy! ^_^
Disclaimer: I beta-read this book. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.
February 14, 2019
Delightful and fun, with a lovable cast of unforgettable animals! A marvelous retelling of The Bremen Town Musicians.
This book is:
-A rollicking animal adventure
-A lot of fun
-Very well written
-Beautifully illustrated
The Cast:
Etzel the donkey. I love Etzel! He's such a cool ol' donkey. <3 Very brave and smart. Hugely kindhearted, and humble.
Jager the dog. A lot of fun. Very dog-like. I love him. <3
Katerina the cat. Katerina is. . . a cat. XD She adds to the group dynamic, and is so catlike!
Rudigur the rooster. I love Rudigur. He adds a lot to the group and has tons of personality.
This is a really fun read and I think anyone who loves animal stories or grew up with a Bremen Town Musicians book will enjoy it. :)
This book is:
-A rollicking animal adventure
-A lot of fun
-Very well written
-Beautifully illustrated
The Cast:
Etzel the donkey. I love Etzel! He's such a cool ol' donkey. <3 Very brave and smart. Hugely kindhearted, and humble.
Jager the dog. A lot of fun. Very dog-like. I love him. <3
Katerina the cat. Katerina is. . . a cat. XD She adds to the group dynamic, and is so catlike!
Rudigur the rooster. I love Rudigur. He adds a lot to the group and has tons of personality.
This is a really fun read and I think anyone who loves animal stories or grew up with a Bremen Town Musicians book will enjoy it. :)
February 21, 2019
In this imaginative retelling of "The Bremen Town Musicians" the reader travels back to the Old World for a heartwarming romp through the German countryside. This story tells how four animal friends with very different personalities, but with a common dream, "band" together and find what they were looking for all along. It would be great for a family read-aloud using appropriate voices for each character. Kids could also read it by themselves starting from eight ( or advanced seven) years old. A glossary of German words and a reference guide to Aesop quotes round out the book. All in all, the story and wonderful illustrations have the entertaining charm for any age.
October 27, 2020
Thoughts on the audiobook:
Listening to this audiobook was delightful! The narrator, B. E. Berhow, brought the characters to life—I particularly loved his voices for Rudiger the rooster (my favorite!), and Katarina the cat (she felt so marvelously cat-like!).
All of the voices he did were splendid (solid, clever Etzel the donkey, and loyal, mournful dog Jager), and I love how the characters leapt from the page—er, headphones?
I had read the book before, so it was wonderful to re-discover in this audio form, especially with the foreshadowing that came with knowing what was in store. :D I can only imagine that discovering it the first time would be fun as well!
It was such a fun and soothing listen! ^_^ Highly recommend!
Thoughts on the story:
I’ve always loved the folktale of the Bremen Town Musicians, the old donkey, dog, cat, and rooster on the road to become musicians in Bremen. Kelsey Bryant skillfully retold this fun tale and the audio version brings a whole new charm to it!
I loved how the retelling felt true to the original tale but brought out new and unexpected things too, with some excellent twists and turns! It has its own share of excitement and adventure and, yes, peril at times! But it still feels so absolutely cozy at the same time, which made me happy. :)
The Road to Bremen is like a golden sunbeam across a field of wheat on a quiet summer day. It just FEELS lovely. You want to bask in it as you read. It’s rich and well-written and draws you along like a breeze calling you to the shade of the forest. You can feel the dust of the road and you’ll smile or laugh at the quiet humor or the banter between these larger-than-life (but so REAL!) animal characters as they go on their adventure.
The characters are so loveable! Etzel the donkey, from whose perspective the story is told, absolutely stole my heart. I just love this donkey and his voice! He has so much character. Jager the dog is sort of mournful but funny. XD Katarina is so CAT-like and prim, and I loved the dog-vs.-cat references. And then Rudiger is so extremely vain and always quoting Aesop and it’s great. XD I just love them all! You have to read this to meet them!
Also, I love that it’s set in Germany and how there are German words thrown in here and there. I felt so immersed in the forest and town and roads and setting. It made me feel at home. :)
I totally recommend this if you enjoy retellings and need a quick listen, or if you have children in your life. It's a wonderful listen (or read, if you get the illustrated version!) and made folding laundry and so on much more enjoyable. Just— *hugs book* It feels totally classic and makes me happy! ^_^
Utterly charming! A tale full of heart. <3
(Note: I received a code for a free Audible download from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.)
Listening to this audiobook was delightful! The narrator, B. E. Berhow, brought the characters to life—I particularly loved his voices for Rudiger the rooster (my favorite!), and Katarina the cat (she felt so marvelously cat-like!).
All of the voices he did were splendid (solid, clever Etzel the donkey, and loyal, mournful dog Jager), and I love how the characters leapt from the page—er, headphones?
I had read the book before, so it was wonderful to re-discover in this audio form, especially with the foreshadowing that came with knowing what was in store. :D I can only imagine that discovering it the first time would be fun as well!
It was such a fun and soothing listen! ^_^ Highly recommend!
Thoughts on the story:
I’ve always loved the folktale of the Bremen Town Musicians, the old donkey, dog, cat, and rooster on the road to become musicians in Bremen. Kelsey Bryant skillfully retold this fun tale and the audio version brings a whole new charm to it!
I loved how the retelling felt true to the original tale but brought out new and unexpected things too, with some excellent twists and turns! It has its own share of excitement and adventure and, yes, peril at times! But it still feels so absolutely cozy at the same time, which made me happy. :)
The Road to Bremen is like a golden sunbeam across a field of wheat on a quiet summer day. It just FEELS lovely. You want to bask in it as you read. It’s rich and well-written and draws you along like a breeze calling you to the shade of the forest. You can feel the dust of the road and you’ll smile or laugh at the quiet humor or the banter between these larger-than-life (but so REAL!) animal characters as they go on their adventure.
The characters are so loveable! Etzel the donkey, from whose perspective the story is told, absolutely stole my heart. I just love this donkey and his voice! He has so much character. Jager the dog is sort of mournful but funny. XD Katarina is so CAT-like and prim, and I loved the dog-vs.-cat references. And then Rudiger is so extremely vain and always quoting Aesop and it’s great. XD I just love them all! You have to read this to meet them!
Also, I love that it’s set in Germany and how there are German words thrown in here and there. I felt so immersed in the forest and town and roads and setting. It made me feel at home. :)
I totally recommend this if you enjoy retellings and need a quick listen, or if you have children in your life. It's a wonderful listen (or read, if you get the illustrated version!) and made folding laundry and so on much more enjoyable. Just— *hugs book* It feels totally classic and makes me happy! ^_^
Utterly charming! A tale full of heart. <3
(Note: I received a code for a free Audible download from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.)
February 15, 2019
A Classic Fairytale from a Premier Storyteller!
When done right, the retelling of a classic fairytale satisfies like no other story. Kelsey Bryant's storytelling skills freshened and bolstered this inspiring tale.
The Road to Bremen offers many human insights through the characters, sure to delight both young and old audiences. This timeless story deserves reading and rereading, encouraging all to savor the playful wording and universal yearnings.
The fun begins with the introduction to Etzel the donkey and continues throughout the adventure to secure an ending that tops off the building suspense. And the wisdom dispensed by the many Aesop quotes will find a welcome home in the hearts of children and adults.
— Grant P. Ferguson, Author of the Cliftopolis SERIES
When done right, the retelling of a classic fairytale satisfies like no other story. Kelsey Bryant's storytelling skills freshened and bolstered this inspiring tale.
The Road to Bremen offers many human insights through the characters, sure to delight both young and old audiences. This timeless story deserves reading and rereading, encouraging all to savor the playful wording and universal yearnings.
The fun begins with the introduction to Etzel the donkey and continues throughout the adventure to secure an ending that tops off the building suspense. And the wisdom dispensed by the many Aesop quotes will find a welcome home in the hearts of children and adults.
— Grant P. Ferguson, Author of the Cliftopolis SERIES
June 19, 2020
This is a sweet story for children about old animals trying to find a new life. The narrator did an amazing job.
January 17, 2020
This was a really cute story! I'm not extremely familiar with the original, although I do know the basics, and for a while, I wondered if this was really going to be a retelling in any original sense or just the same story told by a different author. Not to worry, though, partway through the story, the twists start to appear, and I really loved them! I also loved the different animals' personalities and the way they came together as a team (or should I say a band? XD). And...I won't talk about someone else I loved because there are some things you have to discover for yourself. ;) Oh, but I also really enjoyed the German flavor that was retained as well! The lessons were illustrated really well, and the ending just made my heart happy. <3 A great book for young readers...and older ones, too!
Content--some animal violence (biting, kicking, etc.); threats to kill animals; a few insults
Content--some animal violence (biting, kicking, etc.); threats to kill animals; a few insults
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews