34 // Hansel and Gretel / written by Rika Lesser, Ill. Paul O. Zelinsky

Hansel and Gretel / written by Rika Lesser, Ill. Paul O. Zelinsky

• Dutton Childrens Books

• 1984

• A brother and sister are abandoned by their parents who can't feed them, when they happen upon a witches cottage in the woods.

• Fairy tale versions

• I like Zelinsky's very traditional, formal artistic interpretation of this classic story. I appreciated that Lesser did not leave out bits like the cat and the pigeon that Hansel says he's saying goodbye to when dropping stones or crumbs on the path. Zelinsky's woods are big and scary indeed, and his witch's cottage - and yes, even the witch herself at first! - very inviting. Beautifully done, though not necessarily re-inventing the wheel.