Gris Grimly's Tales from the Brothers Grimm
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Favorite tales get grim, gothic treatment and stylish art.
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What's the Story?
GRIS GRIMLY'S TALES FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM collects more than 40 tales, ranging from the very familiar -- "Hansel and Gretel" and "Cinderella -- to the delightfully obscure -- "Cat and Mouse in Partnership" and "Mother Holle." The stories are not "Disneyfied," but presented with their original, often harsh, sensibilities intact. There are magic frogs, evil stepsisters, talking animals, giants, elves, magical quests and terrible curses -- all the items young readers expect when they hear the name "Grimm," plus beautifully rendered paintings and drawings that capture the action and mood splendidly.
Is It Any Good?
Readers young and old love the tales of European folklore collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, but this volume an extra dose of darkness, thanks to the distinctively gothic illustrations. Gris Grimly's paintings manage to be simultaneously humorous, disturbing, and beautiful, the perfect complement to these stories that have withstood the test of time.
The language in Gris Grimly's Tales from the Brothers Grimm is a little stiff and old-fashioned, but that's part of the fun. Younger children will enjoy having these stories read to them, and older kids will be captivated by the stylish art.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Gris Grimly's Tales of the Brothers Grimm differs from many other interpretations of these classic tales. Why are fairy tales often rewritten to be less offensive to modern readers?
What role do children play in these stories? Are they regarded differently from how most people view kids today?
What lessons did these stories impart to readers in times past? Are these lessons still useful today?
Book Details
- Authors: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
- Illustrator: Gris Grimly
- Genre: Fairy Tale
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Fairy Tales
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: July 26, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 16
- Number of pages: 288
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 6, 2020
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