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Friendship: The Four Musicians
This is a triumphant, uplifting story of friendship between an eldery donkey, cat, dog, and rooster. Leaving human caretakers who were going to give them up, they are confident and creative enough to build a life for themselves! In Bremen, Germany there are statues of this quartet of friends at five veterinary hospitals. This is a very famous, beloved folktale. "Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten" was published in 1819, in "Children's And Household Tales": in German,"Kinder Und Hausmärchen".
The collection's first edition came out in 1812, containing 86 stories. The second edition, of 70 stories, was published in two volumes: in 1815 and 1819. The early editions of "Kinder Und Hausmärchen" were revised to the story versions we know in our generation, because the formers were inappropriate for children.
The collection's first edition came out in 1812, containing 86 stories. The second edition, of 70 stories, was published in two volumes: in 1815 and 1819. The early editions of "Kinder Und Hausmärchen" were revised to the story versions we know in our generation, because the formers were inappropriate for children.
16 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1819
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281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
March 30, 2017
2.5 Stars
I don't think that even children can enjoy this!! Really!!
Four animals, not wanted anymore by their masters and went to Bremen. During the journey, they found the house of robbers. They made the robbers to leave the house and took hold of the house!!
What point is there which even a child can enjoy??? I have read this type of story before. I think that story was inspired by this one. Inspiration was little better.
I don't think that even children can enjoy this!! Really!!
Four animals, not wanted anymore by their masters and went to Bremen. During the journey, they found the house of robbers. They made the robbers to leave the house and took hold of the house!!
What point is there which even a child can enjoy??? I have read this type of story before. I think that story was inspired by this one. Inspiration was little better.
August 10, 2018
Canadians build our own lore, see films from the USA, and immerse in stories from immigrants. Our generation scarcely knows the difference between Disney, or a tale from the Brothers Grimm in Germany; oftentimes because Disney filmed these. Many fairytales are staples here while others, unknown to us, are famously standard fare in Europe and elsewhere. “The Four Musicians” is such a one. Because a child’s tale can be ever so brief, however many times it is readapted and re-enacted over decades, my review will delve into its history; beginning with its true name: “Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten”. It is I, who gave the cover and following information to this book’s listing at Goodreads.com. My synopsis will thus comprise my review!
This is a triumphant, uplifting story of friendship between a donkey, cat, dog, and rooster. Leaving human caretakers who planned to give them up, they are confident and creative enough to build a life for themselves! In Bremen, Germany there are statues of this quartet of friends at five veterinary hospitals. This is a very famous, beloved folktale there. “Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten” was published in 1819, in “Children's And Household Tales”. In its originating German, that is “Kinder Und Hausmärchen”. I have German heritage and take pleasure in the rare occasion I delve into it.
The collection's first edition emerged in 1812, with 86 stories. The second, of 70 stories, was published in two volumes: in 1815 and 1819. The earliest editions of “Kinder Und Hausmärchen” were revised to the versions we know in our generation, because the formers were inappropriate for children. I liked this unique adventure! The animals let no one dominate them and used cleverness to gain freedom: remaining safe and independent. “Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten” literally means “The Bremen City Musicians”. Translations are seldom exercises in exactitude.
This is a triumphant, uplifting story of friendship between a donkey, cat, dog, and rooster. Leaving human caretakers who planned to give them up, they are confident and creative enough to build a life for themselves! In Bremen, Germany there are statues of this quartet of friends at five veterinary hospitals. This is a very famous, beloved folktale there. “Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten” was published in 1819, in “Children's And Household Tales”. In its originating German, that is “Kinder Und Hausmärchen”. I have German heritage and take pleasure in the rare occasion I delve into it.
The collection's first edition emerged in 1812, with 86 stories. The second, of 70 stories, was published in two volumes: in 1815 and 1819. The earliest editions of “Kinder Und Hausmärchen” were revised to the versions we know in our generation, because the formers were inappropriate for children. I liked this unique adventure! The animals let no one dominate them and used cleverness to gain freedom: remaining safe and independent. “Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten” literally means “The Bremen City Musicians”. Translations are seldom exercises in exactitude.
August 19, 2020
Classic Grimm fairytale, so this isn't probably what you expect for a children's story of virtue.
A quartet of animals, discarded by their owners due to age or infirmity, wander along meeting up with dreams of becoming musicians in the city--Bremen. So, if you've ever been, these are the Bremen Town Musicians: donkey, dog, cat, and a rooster. Needless to say, something happens and quite a scuffle occurs, thereafter plans are changed.
I think if you're looking for a virtue, searching high and low, it is friendship, cooperation, and self-determination. Of course, there are some less savory character qualities portrayed, as well.
Available to read or listen to for FREE: HERE
A quartet of animals, discarded by their owners due to age or infirmity, wander along meeting up with dreams of becoming musicians in the city--Bremen. So, if you've ever been, these are the Bremen Town Musicians: donkey, dog, cat, and a rooster. Needless to say, something happens and quite a scuffle occurs, thereafter plans are changed.
I think if you're looking for a virtue, searching high and low, it is friendship, cooperation, and self-determination. Of course, there are some less savory character qualities portrayed, as well.
Available to read or listen to for FREE: HERE
November 9, 2025
Cartea copilăriei mele 💛
„Muzicanții din Bremen” e despre curajul celor mici și înțelepți, despre prietenia care se naște când viața pare să te lase în urmă.
Un măgar, un câine, o pisică și un cocoș — patru suflete alungate, care descoperă că împreună pot cânta mai tare decât orice teamă.
Nu au ajuns niciodată la Bremen, dar și-au găsit un loc al lor.
Și poate asta e adevărata lecție: nu trebuie să fii tânăr, puternic sau perfect ca să-ți găsești vocea — trebuie doar să ai cu cine să cânți. 🐴🐶🐱🐓
„Muzicanții din Bremen” e despre curajul celor mici și înțelepți, despre prietenia care se naște când viața pare să te lase în urmă.
Un măgar, un câine, o pisică și un cocoș — patru suflete alungate, care descoperă că împreună pot cânta mai tare decât orice teamă.
Nu au ajuns niciodată la Bremen, dar și-au găsit un loc al lor.
Și poate asta e adevărata lecție: nu trebuie să fii tânăr, puternic sau perfect ca să-ți găsești vocea — trebuie doar să ai cu cine să cânți. 🐴🐶🐱🐓
April 15, 2017
Rating: 4 / 5
The Travelling Musicians is a classic children’s faerie tale from the Brothers Grimm. This story is about numerous animals who are on the road to death by their owners, running away in the hopes of starting a band.
I think that this was actually quite a funny little story. It made me laugh around the midway point and at the end, and I don’t usually have that with children’s books. I think this is really well paced, and it was definitely bright, although it did start off quite dark.
This was absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I’ve ever read a children’s book in later life that has made me laugh as much as this one did. This was really enjoyable and I’d recommend this in a heartbeat.
The Travelling Musicians is a classic children’s faerie tale from the Brothers Grimm. This story is about numerous animals who are on the road to death by their owners, running away in the hopes of starting a band.
I think that this was actually quite a funny little story. It made me laugh around the midway point and at the end, and I don’t usually have that with children’s books. I think this is really well paced, and it was definitely bright, although it did start off quite dark.
This was absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I’ve ever read a children’s book in later life that has made me laugh as much as this one did. This was really enjoyable and I’d recommend this in a heartbeat.
April 15, 2025
✩ 3 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
~
[read for my independent studies of folklore & mythology]
~
[read for my independent studies of folklore & mythology]
August 16, 2015
What's with the humans and the will to get rid of their pets once they're old?! A pet is for life people! 'Til death do us apart!
I watched this story as a cartoon when I was very young and liked it very much (I still do), it says a lot about faith and friendship which are rare things to find these days
I watched this story as a cartoon when I was very young and liked it very much (I still do), it says a lot about faith and friendship which are rare things to find these days
July 8, 2016
Very lame. Total bakwas:
November 8, 2016
Ça me rappelle de très bons souvenirs!
September 17, 2020
I have the complete set of the Grimm Fairy-Tales, and there are so many that I haven’t read! They are very short, as one would know, so I have decided to read each one and give them a review. Some are very vulgar, some are very cute and some don’t even make sense. Some of them are well known fairy-tales and some have never been told. Some are fairy-tales we know but are not the same because they have been downplayed for the children.
This story is about four old animals escaping death from their masters. They are on their way to Bremen to be town-musicians when they come upon a house full of robbers and their goodies.
So what happens next? Do they try and take the house and the goodies? Do they fall to the hands of the robbers? Do they scare them away? What about that witch the robbers were talking about?
This is a cute story about working together.
This story is about four old animals escaping death from their masters. They are on their way to Bremen to be town-musicians when they come upon a house full of robbers and their goodies.
So what happens next? Do they try and take the house and the goodies? Do they fall to the hands of the robbers? Do they scare them away? What about that witch the robbers were talking about?
This is a cute story about working together.
October 13, 2012
I remember reading this in third grade. It was okay.
February 3, 2017
Who the hell kills animals when they are old!!!!
leave them, they surely will die on their own!!!
leave them, they surely will die on their own!!!
December 8, 2018
I have arranged my thoughts on this fairytale about the pets of horrible people into a haiku:
"Spurned by their humans,
It's no wonder they assume
We're thieves without cause."
"Spurned by their humans,
It's no wonder they assume
We're thieves without cause."
December 28, 2023
O adaptare drăguță și o ediție absolut superbă. Nu mă așteptam să fie o povestioară atât de amuzantă.
December 21, 2025
Thank you, Jacob Grimm, for helping me towards the completion of my reading challenge this year!
July 15, 2020
2 1/2 stars
March 4, 2015
Personal Reaction - Personally, I don't like this story because of its ending. Though the title of this story is "The Bremen-Twon Musicians", the animals actually did not go to the town. They came together to become musicians, but when they found enough food and cozy house, they decided to stay there. I expected they would keep going their journey to the town and finally, would be musicians. Because of this ending, I don't want to recommend it.
Purposes-
Read aloud to first graders of elementary school for several potential purposes:
- Though the ending of this story is not my type, i still want to read this book to children.
- The first reason is that it would teach the importance of respecting old people. The four animals was going to be killed by their owners because they thought they were useless as getting old. However, they could kick the robbers out because they were wise.
- The second reason is related to the title of this book. When I read this book to children, I would tell them the city, Bremen, Germany. Children would expand their imagination by learning about other countries.
- Also, this book is very humorous. The animals are depicted very pleasantly. When they cheated on the robbers, the animals were shown very exaggeratedly.
Purposes-
Read aloud to first graders of elementary school for several potential purposes:
- Though the ending of this story is not my type, i still want to read this book to children.
- The first reason is that it would teach the importance of respecting old people. The four animals was going to be killed by their owners because they thought they were useless as getting old. However, they could kick the robbers out because they were wise.
- The second reason is related to the title of this book. When I read this book to children, I would tell them the city, Bremen, Germany. Children would expand their imagination by learning about other countries.
- Also, this book is very humorous. The animals are depicted very pleasantly. When they cheated on the robbers, the animals were shown very exaggeratedly.
March 3, 2017
De entre todos los variados libros ilustrados que me habré leído, devorado y disfrutado a lo largo de mi infancia, creo que no hubo algún otro igual a este, que me calara tan hondo, que me excitara a tal grado, que me hiciera querer leerlo una y otra vez, sin perder jamás el encanto y, sobre todo, que se me quedara tan grabado en la memoria...
La mayoría de esos libros se perdieron o desaparecieron con el pasar de los años, al igual que los juguetes y tantas otras cosas, o eso creí hasta hace poco, cuando, por pura casualidad descubrí que mi papá había tenido el cuidado de guardar cuantos de estos libros pudo, una vez que a mis hermanos y a mí se nos olvidaron y no volvimos a hojearlos, y entre ellos estaba éste, el mejor cuento, quizás el mejor libro, el más increíble libro que he leído en mi vida. Los músicos de Bremen.
La mayoría de esos libros se perdieron o desaparecieron con el pasar de los años, al igual que los juguetes y tantas otras cosas, o eso creí hasta hace poco, cuando, por pura casualidad descubrí que mi papá había tenido el cuidado de guardar cuantos de estos libros pudo, una vez que a mis hermanos y a mí se nos olvidaron y no volvimos a hojearlos, y entre ellos estaba éste, el mejor cuento, quizás el mejor libro, el más increíble libro que he leído en mi vida. Los músicos de Bremen.
September 14, 2010
Cerita Si Kerudung Merah ternyata mengandung kekerasan yang tidak baik dibaca anak-anak:
- Si serigala langsung melompat ke arah Nenek dan memakannya sampai habis! hal. 25
- Saat itu juga si serigala menerkam, menelan gadis kecil itu bulat-bulat! hal.29
Tapi anak-anak boleh berlega hati, karena ada twist endingnya: waktu serigala tertidur kekenyangan, seorang pemburu membelah perutnya dan mengeluarkan Nenek dan Kerudung Merah yang ternyata masih hidup...
Pesan moral: Makanan jangan ditelan bulat-bulat, mentah-mentah, apalagi hidup-hidup. Makanan seharusnya dipotong kecil-kecil, dimasak, lalu waktu disantap dikunyah dulu minimal 32 kali sebelum ditelan.
Tidak jelas nasib si serigala setelah perutnya dibelah. Apakah dijadikan jaket bulu serigala seperti di versi Roald Dahl?
- Si serigala langsung melompat ke arah Nenek dan memakannya sampai habis! hal. 25
- Saat itu juga si serigala menerkam, menelan gadis kecil itu bulat-bulat! hal.29
Tapi anak-anak boleh berlega hati, karena ada twist endingnya: waktu serigala tertidur kekenyangan, seorang pemburu membelah perutnya dan mengeluarkan Nenek dan Kerudung Merah yang ternyata masih hidup...
Pesan moral: Makanan jangan ditelan bulat-bulat, mentah-mentah, apalagi hidup-hidup. Makanan seharusnya dipotong kecil-kecil, dimasak, lalu waktu disantap dikunyah dulu minimal 32 kali sebelum ditelan.
Tidak jelas nasib si serigala setelah perutnya dibelah. Apakah dijadikan jaket bulu serigala seperti di versi Roald Dahl?
February 18, 2014
This story has repetition, which is common in folktales, which I would discuss with my students. The donkey is going to Bremen-Town to become a musician, and he keeps meeting different animals that can do different things, so the donkey keeps inviting them to go with them to be musicians. This story is considered a beast tale, because the animals are talking like human beings. Plus, these particular animal characters also have regular animal traits. It would be good to make a graphic organizer that lists the animals, how they are like humans, and how they are like animals. I also think that this story would be perfect to do a reader’s theater on, which would help fluency.
December 3, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book because of all the animals and characters in the book. This would be a good book for younger students to read because of the simple vocabulary. I also liked the simplicity of the pictures and illustrations. This would be a fun book for a family to read together because it is a fun animal book. This would also be a fun book to read to a class and make the animal noises out loud or let the children make noises. This book is also a pretty easy read so younger students can enjoy it.
July 5, 2018
THE TRAVELING MUSICIANS: A farmer’s donkey, after finding out that his master is ready to put him down because age, leaves home to go to the Great City, in order to become a musician. Along the way, the Donkey comes across a series of others animals in similar situation that he helps. It was a decent story, although pretty slow. It is suitable for children, (Aside from the mention of the animals’ masters wanting to kill them.) MORAL: Help others and things will work out for you. Treat others as you wish to be treated. The values of friendship. [RATING: 2.5 STAR]
October 12, 2018
What! Really? A brand-new version of Grimm's "Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten"? Done by... wait: Google Translate? Why is that? Didn't Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm write their stories in German in the first place? So, hang on, is what we've got here, basically, a German-German machine translation? How does that even work? Well, let's have a look inside:
"Eines Tages sagte der Meister, "Donkey, Sie müssen gehen und sehen, die große Welt.""
I see, I see: German to Gobbledigook, is what it is. Ugh! The horror!
"Eines Tages sagte der Meister, "Donkey, Sie müssen gehen und sehen, die große Welt.""
I see, I see: German to Gobbledigook, is what it is. Ugh! The horror!
September 4, 2018
⭐⭐⭐
When one door closes another one opens. That is this Grimm Tale in a nutshell. It is all about not giving up, to being the best you can be. Also it shows you can have an unlikely friendship along your path with strangers. Now it is not about music but how they planned to be musicians. Instead it was about banding together after having one door close on them, coming together to survive. When I say one door closes another one opens is this tale. All these creatures were shut out by their owners so they came together to go make music to survive. They found another way to keep living.
When one door closes another one opens. That is this Grimm Tale in a nutshell. It is all about not giving up, to being the best you can be. Also it shows you can have an unlikely friendship along your path with strangers. Now it is not about music but how they planned to be musicians. Instead it was about banding together after having one door close on them, coming together to survive. When I say one door closes another one opens is this tale. All these creatures were shut out by their owners so they came together to go make music to survive. They found another way to keep living.
August 6, 2011
De los hermanos Grimm ... un cuento que habla de vencer el miedo, de no dejarse y encontrar amigos, (así era antes, y así es ahora) ... sacar las mejores características de cada uno ... trabajar en equipo ... apreciar, querer y respetar a los demás. Como en los demás cuentos, se trata de enseñanzas morales por medio de cuentos. Me siguen gustando mucho y ojalá que todos los niños y los no tan niños las lean.
August 5, 2016
Como uma hisória infantil consegue ser feita também para adultos?
Há de se aprender muito com esse livro de que para contar histórias para crianças, deve-se inserir sim fábulas, mas nunca fazê-las pertencer a um mundo que não existe.
Um livro inteligente que marcou minha infância.
Apesar dos animais na vida real não falarem, noções como companherismo, aventura e proteção os bichos são tratadas com respeito e um realismo que nada fere o mundo inocente das crianças.
Há de se aprender muito com esse livro de que para contar histórias para crianças, deve-se inserir sim fábulas, mas nunca fazê-las pertencer a um mundo que não existe.
Um livro inteligente que marcou minha infância.
Apesar dos animais na vida real não falarem, noções como companherismo, aventura e proteção os bichos são tratadas com respeito e um realismo que nada fere o mundo inocente das crianças.
April 17, 2013
This is an old Brother's Grimm tale which is why it is so well known. It does not hold up well over time. The story is simple, the illustrations in this version are unexciting, and there is no humor or lessons to be learned by reading it. I can see no use for this book in the modern classroom, especially since the "musicians" attack another group of animals that they just assume are robbers and then happily take over their house from then on.
February 9, 2017
I had forgotten this fairytale. Reading it, I suddenly remembered my childhood. One of my favourite childhood memories is my father giving me a book with Grimm's fairytales, simply to show me he loved me. The story about the Bremer Stadtmusikanten was one of the fairytales in that book. It was so nice to be reminded of that happy time in my life.
Also, I liked the illustrations in this particular edition of the story.
Also, I liked the illustrations in this particular edition of the story.
December 30, 2018
Timaş yayınları baskısının neşeli çizimleri eşliğinde, oğluma okuduğum ilk kitaplardan biri oldu Bremen Çalgıcıları. Geçen sene kaybettiğimiz dedemin anlatmayı en sevdiği bu masal, yıllarca anneme, ve sonrasında da bana anlatılmış. 3-4 aylıktan itibaren, hayvanların seslerini çıkararak okudum oğluma ben de bu baskısını. En sevdiği kitap oldu bir anda, masal kitabına her uzanışımızda heyecanlandı. Hayatın döngüsünde her nesile aynı masalların eşlik etmesi ne güzel..
February 1, 2017
In my opinion I'm not such a huge fan of this book. For one the title is misleading because they don't even make it to Bremen-town. They end up finding a house on the way and staying there instead. Another aspect of this book that I didn't really like was the amount of violence these animals used in order to keep the robbers away. I just don't like this lesson the book is trying to convey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews