Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest
Modern take on Grimm fairy tales with some scares, peril.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest is a contemporary retelling of Grimm's Fairy Tales that applies live storytelling and classroom commentary to stories that range from silly to scary, with the host opening each episode by reminding listeners that they know how much scary stuff they're ready for. Older kids will likely understand the stories are fictional and meant to teach life lessons, while younger kids may find some of the stories frightening. Characters are frequently injured or killed and adult characters are just as likely to be predatory as they are caregivers. Young characters in the retellings often show bravery in the face of adversity and tend to be the heroes, though the situations they find themselves in are often fantastical. Stories derive from European fairy tales and lack cultural diversity. The show appeals to children of all ages, but parents should preview the scarier episodes before sharing with younger kids.
Community Reviews
Engaging, funny, weird and a little creepy - the whole family enjoys listening
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Engaging stories and storytelling with kids in the mix
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What’s It About?
Classic fairy tales like Rumplestiltskin and Snow White are retold in GRIMM, GRIMMER, GRIMMEST, complete with talking animals, mischievous princes, and enchanted forests. Each episode presents its story with host and audience commentary. Stories vary in structure but typically have a hero, antagonist, several challenges, and usually a positive conclusion. Tales range in fright level from "grim" to "grimmest." At the beginning of each episode, the host suggests ways children can cope with scary moments. Suspenseful music and sound effects contribute to a looming sense of fright.
Is It Any Good?
The enduring appeal of fairy tales is evident in this storytelling podcast. The candy-coated Disney version of fairy tales is traded for a darker, more absurd approach in Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest that will likely make kids feel like they've been invited to something a bit more grown-up. Many moments in the stories are laugh-out-loud funny, with ridiculous and unexpected situations arising out of nowhere. Violence and sudden deaths are treated matter-of-factly, which will likely have many families making decisions together about what their own boundary is. While entertaining, other fairy tale and folklore podcasts may better represent the diversity of our world and cultures. Nevertheless, adults and kids alike are likely to be drawn in by the creative storytelling and commentary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fairy tales from Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest are still exciting to us today. How can we relate fairy tales to challenges and lessons in real life?
Adults in the stories are often shown as untrustworthy. What adults in our lives are trustworthy and how do we know? What do we do if we meet an untrustworthy adult?
What fairy tales do we know from different cultures around the world? Why is it important to explore stories from different cultures?
Podcast Details
- Release date: September 24, 2018
- Genre: Storytelling
- Average Run Time: 20 minutes
- Website: https://pinna.fm/library/kids-shows/pinna-podcasts/grimm-grimmer-grimmest
- Host: Adam Gidwitz
- Publisher: Pinna
- Pricing structure: Free to try (Free sample episodes available. Subscription required for full access to episodes. Monthly subscriptions available on streaming platforms ($3.99/month). Single season purchase ($14.99) or full access to all Pinna shows ($7.99/month) available on the Pinna website.)
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Fairy Tales, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Last updated: May 6, 2022
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