Author Rika Lesser
Title: Hansel and Gretel
Illustrator: Paul O. Zalinsky
Publisher: The Putnam & Grosset Group
Year: 1996
Genre: Caldecott
Format: Paperback
Reading level: Transitional- self extending
Interest level: Elementary
Topics: Folktale, witches, happy ending, children, family, and mystery
Summary: The folktale Hansel and Gretel is about two small children named Hansel and Gretel who live with their parents in a great forest. Their father cannot afford to feed them or their mother. Their mother comes up with the idea to bring Hansel and Gretel deep into the forrest, build them a fire and then leave them there forever. This would alleviate the family from having to feed four mouths, now they would only need to feed two. The mother and father bring the two small children deep in the forest and leave them there. The two kids are cold and hungry and have no where to go. While trying to find their way back home, they come across a candy coated house and a mean old witch. The witch takes the children into her home and feeds them. She locks up Hansel and plans on fattening him up and then eating him for supper later. While the witch prepares her oven for her feast, Gretel pushes the old lady witch into the oven and slams the door. The witch burns to ashes and the two little kids are set free. They grab all the candy they can from the candy coated house and head home. When they return home, they find out their mother died. The father and his two kids live happily ever after. This book has extraordinary pictures, and great detail; it is sure to keep kids interested!
Extension Activity: Supply gingerbread houses, frosting, candy, and sweets. Have children build their own ginger bread candy houses, just like the candy house in the book. This is a good candy house though- and remind kids of that. They can bring their candy-gingerbread houses home to their families. They can eat the houses when they are at home with the permission of their parents.
