Tales from Grimm

2006
Author:

Wanda Gág

Wanda Gág’s captivating interpretations of Grimm’s fairy tales

Renowned children's book author Wanda Gág presents classic Grimm tales, accompanied by whimsical illustrations. Drawing on her peasant heritage and childlike sense of wonder, Gág translated the fairy tales in a uniquely American vernacular tongue.

In Tales from Grimm we find Gág's touch on timeless stories like “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Musicians of Bremen,” “Rapunzel,” and others.

One must be grateful to Wanda Gág for this rendering of Grimm’s tales in language and illustrations that bring them within the reach of younger children, yet lose nothing of their rich peasant flavor. The tales are well selected for young reading, and the irresistible humor of the drawings is itself excellent antidote to the black magic of the stories.

Josette Frank, Child Study Association

Renowned children’s book author Wanda Gág presents these classic Grimm tales, accompanied by whimsical illustrations. Drawing on her peasant heritage and childlike sense of wonder, Gág translated the fairy tales in a uniquely American vernacular tongue.

In Tales from Grimm we find her touch on timeless stories like “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Musicians of Bremen,” “Rapunzel,” and others. No other editions of Grimm’s fairy tales for children can match Gág’s richness of prose and the humor, beauty, and sheer magic of her pictorial interpretation.

Best known for her Newbery Honor winner Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág (1893–1946) was a pioneer in children’s book writing, integrating text and illustration. Born in New Ulm, Minnesota, she rose to international acclaim. In recognition of her artistry, she was posthumously awarded the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Cats and the 1977 Kerlan Award for her body of work.

One must be grateful to Wanda Gág for this rendering of Grimm’s tales in language and illustrations that bring them within the reach of younger children, yet lose nothing of their rich peasant flavor. The tales are well selected for young reading, and the irresistible humor of the drawings is itself excellent antidote to the black magic of the stories.

Josette Frank, Child Study Association

No other editions of Grimm’s fairy tales for children can match Gág’s richness of prose and the humor, beauty, and sheer magic of her pictorial interpretation.

Edmonton’s Child

So intelligently chosen and edited, and translated with so much simplicity and humor, that the collection should become a classic. Wanda Gág’s illustrations are, of course, distinguished and completely in the fairy-tale spirit.

New Yorker

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HANSEL AND GRETEL
CAT AND MOUSE KEEP HOUSE
SIX SERVANTS
SPINDLE, SHUTTLE AND NEEDLE
DOCTOR KNOW-IT-ALL
THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN
CINDERELLA
CLEVER ELSIE
RAPUNZEL
THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

CONTENTS

THE THREE BROTHERS
THE FROG PRINCE
LAZY HEINZ
LEAN LIESL AND LANKY LENZ
SNOWWHITE AND ROSERED
THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER
IN CASE YOU WANT TO KNOW — A SHORT GLOSSARY
LIST OF FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS

A little bird sat there in a tree
"It's the loveliest house I ever saw," gasped Gretel
It was just as though fairy fingers were at work
They waited for the donkey's signal
They went rustling and tinkling to the ball
The man stood and said, "Wife, are you now Em-peror?"