The Brothers Grimm: Hansel and Gretel By: Elizabeth D. Crawford (Traditional/Folk Literature)

Hansel and Gretel by Elizabeth D. Crawford, is a Folk Literature book about a brother and a sister who are abandoned by their parents. Famine has struck the town and the stepmother talks their father into leading them into the woods and leaving them there for good. Hansel and Gretel over hear the stepmothers plan and Gretel becomes very sad. Hansel promises that they will be ok and that he will save them. As they get left in the woods and can't find their way back home, they come across a house made of sweets. They begin to eat parts of the house when an old lady comes out and invites them inside to stay with her. However, they soon discover the old woman is a witch and intends to kill and eat them. The witch tells Gretel that she is going to fatten up Hansel and then cook him and eat him. Gretel is sad, but realizes its up to her to save Hansel now. Gretel tricks the witch and kills her and they are then both safe. They go into the house and gather al the witches stones and jewels. They head back on a journey to find their house and when they arrive, their father is excited to see them. They give him the riches and never have a problem with food ever again! This was a great fairy tale and I feel that students would love reading a story like this. It is very exciting with ups and downs throughout the whole story. It could be used when studying fairy tales and different versions in the classroom.