Hansel and Gretel

PreS-Gr 3—This version, loosely based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, is retold by Harry Caminelli, with illustrations by Carrie Wendel (Flowerpot, 2014). Hansel and Gretel love candy, but their nutrition-conscious mother does not allow sweets. One day, the siblings follow a sweet smell to a house in the woods, where they are let in by a little old lady, who turns out to be a witch, and she allows them to eat as much as they wish. Discovering the witch's sinister plan, though, quick-thinking Gretel saves the day by pushing the witch into the fire. The children are finally reunited with their adoring parents and have ultimately learned that being healthy and strong is much more important than eating lots of candy. Although the story has a sound message, it veers quite a bit from the original tale, and the illustrations are a bit awkward, lacking emotion and looking a tad old-fashioned. Reader Erin Yuen, though, does a wonderful job narrating with her lively and dynamic interpretation