The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins - Katherine Paterson
HarperTrophy. - 1978

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 148 Genre: Realistic Fiction

National Book Award for Children's Litarature
ALA Notable Children's Book
Winner of the Christopher Medal
A Jane Addams Award Honor Book
The Horn Book Fanfare Honor List
"Best of the Best" Children's books 1966-1978 (SLJ)  

Summary: Galadriel Hopkins is a foster kid with a bad attitude. She has been pushed from home to home for so long, and has grown to know how to manipulate people around her. We find her in the story heading to yet another foster home, this time with a woman named Trotter, who has another foster son named William Earnest, a kid with some kind of mental handicap. Gilly immediately begins to push people around, swearing and causing a fuss, and is shocked at some of the happenings at the Trotter home. For example, Trotter invites their neighbor Mr. Randolph to dinner, a blind African American. Gilly is shocked to have to sit and eat with a black man, and is even more shocked to discover that her teacher at school is black. Her efforts to misbehave and run away are not handled the same way as they had always been before; this time her bad behavior is met with love and compassion, but the damage has already been done. As soon as she arrived at her new foster home, Gilly wrote a letter to her biological mother, saying that she needed to leave this house as soon as possible. One day her biological grandmother arrives, and promises to help Gilly leave this place with the "enormously fat" foster mother and her "retarded" son. Except, by this time, Gilly doesn't want to leave. She has somehow begun to love the odd family, including William Earnest, and has started to teach him to stick up for himself.
Her grandmother arrives, and Gilly is taken to live with her, and eventually the time comes to meet her biological mother. Gilly's expectations are crushed when she discovers that her mother has not come to take her daughter home, and does not love her. Gilly escapes for a moment and calls Trotter on the phone, pleading for some way for her to come back to the only place that has ever offered her permanence and love. Unfortunately, this is not possible, but Gilly has learned that in order to receive love, one must also give love.

    

"'First thing, when somebody yells at you, don't throw your hands up' --she imitated him-- 'and act like you think they're going to kill you'

'Pow?' He swung his little fist in a kind of question mark.

'Naw, not first thing. See, they may not be even meaning to hit you. First thing is, you take a deep breath--' She filled her diaphragm and waited to imitate her, his ribs poking through his shirt. 'Then you yell like this: Get the hell outa my way!'"

My Impressions: This book approaches some very real topics, and Gilly is very easy to identify with. Essentially she is a foster-child with an anger issue, but her character is deeply harrowed by sorrow and a deep desire to belong somewhere. What she wants is her biological mom, and she vents her frustration by misbehaving. To me this story is a beautiful exploration of frustration and anger, and how a person can take even a hopeless situation and let it change them.

Parent's Guide: As mentioned above, the story involves itself in some very real topics, such as foster parenting, the reality that a child can experience being unloved. Gilly also has some bad character traits, and exhibits racism, deism, and a bit of cursing. Gilly also steals money from Trotter and her blind neighbor.

Recommendations:This would be a great book for kids to discover if they may possibly identify with Gilly. I enjoyed this book because the main character is easy to love and feel for.

Stargirl

Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
Knopf Books - 2000

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 186 Genre: Realistic Fiction

ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
A book Sense National Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
An ABC Children's Bookseller Choice
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Winner of the Young Hoosier Book Award
Winner of the Garden State Teen Book Award
Winner of the Arizona Young Readers' Award

Summary: Leo is a student at an average, and relatively small school in Arizona. He is smitten one day by a unique new student who calls herself Stargirl, although he wasn't so much smitten as he was awed in horror at her uniqueness. Stargirl wasn't like the other people at their school--she was ferociously . . . different. She sang to people on their birthdays, she cheered when people succeeded, and cried when they failed. Her ukulele and pet rat, symbols of her individuality, were embraced as a unique difference at the school, but were eventually shunned as strange or different. People who liked Stargirl for her actions cast her off, for at sporting events she cheered for BOTH teams. The people in the school begin to shun Stargirl.

 

At this point, Leo has become enamored with Stargirl, but notices that when he spends time with her at school the other students shun them. Stargirl shows Leo that she is not as affected by the actions or words of others, even when they seem so stinging. Leo discovers that he must choose between the opinions of others and this strangely unique girl.

At the end of the story there is a prom. Because he is afraid of being laughed at, Leo doesn't ask Stargirl to the prom, but she shows up anyway. She is dressed in a bright, sunflower yellow dress, and leads the school in a crazy and fun dance, all around the building and into the fields beyond. At this point it appears that many in the school have overcome their need to shun Stargirl, and that she may be able to develop some acceptance. One girl, Hillari, slaps Stargirl for "ruining" the dance, and Stargirl returns the gesture by giving her a hug and a kiss. From that night on nobody ever saw Stargirl again. Her family had moved, and Stargirl was gone, but she left a void in the hearts of the students at the school, especially with Leo.

 

   

"In the Sonoran Desert there are ponds. You could be standing in the middle of one and not know it, becasue the ponds are usually dry. Nor would you know that inches below your feet, frogs are sleeping, their heartbeats down to once or twice per minute. They lie dormant and waiting, these mud frogs, for without water their lives are incomplete, they are not fully themselves.  . . 

 

It was wonderful to see, wonderful to be in the middle of we mud frogs awakening all around. We were awash in tiny attentions. Small gestures, words, empathies thought to be extinct came to life. For years the strangers among us had passed sullenly in the hallways; now we looked, we nodded, we smiled. If someone got an A, others celebrated too. If someone sprained an ankle, others felt the pain. We discovered the color of each other's eyes."

My Impressions: This book is a deeply touching discussion of individuality and nonconformity, but it is mostly about how we treat those who are different. In Stargirl's case, "different" certainly meant "unique," but the students failed to see that in her until she was nearly gone.

Parent's Guide: No huge issues. The students are very rude to Stargirl.

Recommendations: I STRONGLY recommend this book.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Louis Sachar
Scholastic Inc. 1985

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 118 Genre: Fiction

IRA/CBC Children's Choice

Summary: Wayside school was accidentally built sideways. It was supposed to be one story tall and thirty classrooms wide, but the builder read the plans wrong. He said he was very sorry. This book is a collection of stories about the children in the thirtieth story, where Mrs. Jewls is a teacher over a unique bunch of kids. Each chapter is a different story about a kid from this classroom, and the last chapter is about the yard teacher, Louis, who apparently wrote this book.

    

"Sharie sat next to the window in Mrs. Jewls's class. She spent a lot of time just staring our the window. Mrs. Jewls didn't mind. Mrs. Jewls said that a lot of people learn best when they stare out a window. Sharie often fell asleep in class. Mrs. Jewls didn't mind that either. She siad that a lot of people do their best learning when they are asleep. Sharie spent all of her time either looking out the window or sleeping. Mrs. Jewls thought she was the best student in the class."

My Impressions: This book is very entertaining, and is essentially a collection of short stories about the same classroom of students. In each chapter the students encounter ridiculous or strange situations (which to them are normal), and there is usually a silly lesson or moral from each story. 

Parent's Guide: No real problems. The children are all a little bizarre, however.

Recommendations: A good read. I would suggest this as a book for independent young readers.

Ramona the Pest

Ramona the Pest - Beverly Cleary
Dell Publishing Co. - 1968

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 192 Genre: Fiction

Georgia Children’s Book Award 
Nene Award (Hawaii)  
Sequoyah Children's Book Award (Oklahoma) 

Summary: Ramona Quimby is just starting kindergarten this year, and her inventive and imaginative mind causes her a few problems. First of all, there is a girl named Susan who has beautiful curly hair that Ramona longs to pull, and then there is her deep desire to make her teacher love her. Ramona is very creative, and draws the "Q" in her last name to resemble a cat with whiskers. There is a very funny episode where Ramona gets her boots stuck in the mud and has to be rescued. One day Ramona goes to school and loses a tooth, which she gives to her teacher for safe keeping, but when she is caught pulling Susan's hair again she is told that she should stay home until she can quit pulling hair. Indignant, Ramona throws a big fuss, and kicks the wall with her heels, and ends up staying home from school until she can calm down. She is sad because she desires to make her teacher love her, but doesn't want to go to school if she isn't wanted. She makes up her mind to go back to school when her teacher sends a letter with Ramona's tooth inside, and a note telling her that they miss her in class.

     "Ramona, who wanted to be helpful, knew what happened when a car was stuck in the mud. 'Could you call a t-tow t-truck?' she asked with a big sniff. She could see herself being yanked out of the mud by a heavy chain being hooked in the collar of her raincoat. She found this picture so interesting that her sobs subsided."

My Impressions: Ramona seems to be the kind of child who desires so strongly to be helpful and to be loved; she is continually being scolded for acting out or over-expressing herself, and she frequently misunderstands things, leading to ill-conceived notions of how the world works. For example, her teacher teaches the class to sing The Star Spangled Banner in class, but she mistakes the words, thinking the song is about a "dawnzer," which gives off a "lee-light." Ramona's experiences are real enough to allow her audience to identify with her, and her experiences are so legitimately tragic to a five-year-old, such as being forced to share a ribbon or being told not to pull hair.

Parent's Guide: No issues. I would strongly recommend this book.

Recommendations: I read this book when I was very young, and I feel like I identify with Ramona. I would recommend this book for parents of kids who want to be good, but are in no way perfect. I absolutely love the Ramona books!

Imogene's Antlers

Imogene's Antlers - David Small
Crown Publishers Inc - 1985

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Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 26 Genre: Fiction

Summary: On Thursday, Imogene wakes up to discover she has sprouted antlers. She finds it a challenge to get dressed, but she tries to make the best of her new situation, even though her mother faints at the sight of her. The doctor can't find anything wrong with her, and the principal has nothing to say. She and the maid make doughnuts, and hang them on her antlers to feed the birds. They hire a man to make her a hat, but its immensity causes Imogene's mother to faint again. Everybody seems to be accepting of her new difference, and Imogene seems to take the new events with humor, although her mother faints and cries. When she wakes up again on Friday, her antlers are gone, and the family is happy with her, but they are still shocked when she comes into the room with a full peacock's plume.

     "The Cook, Mrs. Perkins, gave Imogene a doughnut, then decked her out with several more and sent her into the garden to feed the birds. 'You'll be fun to decorate come Christmas!' said Mrs. Perkins."

My Impressions: A major theme in this book is acceptance. There is nothing Imogene can do about the antlers, and her family is generally supportive, even if they are concerned. Imogene also demonstrates a congenial good-nature about the whole affair, even though she is totally misfigured. I think another theme in this book could be "handling trials with a good attitude." Most of us would not react the same way if we woke up with antlers.

Parent's Guide: No issues.

Recommendations: I might recommend this book as a way to teach kids about patience or about handling personal differences. The book may also help kids learn how to treat others who have differences.

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Harper and Row - 1963

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Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 19 Genre: Fiction

Winner, 1964 Caldecott Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940?1970 (ALA)
1981 Boston Globe?Horn Book Award for Illustration
1963, 1982 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1963, 1982 (NYT)
A Reading Rainbow Selection
1964 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
Children's Books of 1981 (Library of Congress)
1981 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1988 (NY Public Library)

The Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration

Summary: Max is making mischief of one form or another, and his mother sends him to his room without his supper. That night a forest grows in his room, and a river runs by. He sails off to a faraway land where the wild things are, where he is the wildest and meanest of all the beasts. They celebrate wildly, but Max is still lonely, though he is king of the beasts. He gives up being king of the wild things, and sails home to his bedroom, where he finds his dinner waiting for him, and it was still hot.

     "In Max's room a forest grew, and grew, and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around . . ."

My Impressions: The book is poetically beautiful, and the illustrations are incredible. The book seems to be significant because it addresses anger--something all children (and even adults) experience. He is mad at his mom for scolding him, but finds a way to get over it. The fantasy that Max invents may have begun as a rebellious escape, but eventually helps him remember how great it is to "be where someone loved him best of all." Each word is carefully and simplistically chosen, so the whole meaning of the book is artfully deceptive.

Parent's Guide: Except for maybe some pictures of "scary" monsters, no problems are found.

Recommendations: Everybody should read this book. Seriously.

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach - Roald Dahl

Penguin books - 1961

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Reading Level: 7+  Number of Pages: 136 Genre: Fiction

Massachusetts Children's Award (USA 1982)

Summary: James Trotter currently lives with his two aunts, since the time when he was four that his parents were eaten by an escaped rhinoceros at the zoo. Here James is treated poorly, and is physically and verbally abused, and forced to sleep on the floorboards in the attic. His life changes abruptly one day when a little man appears behind the bushes, and hands him a little sack with some little green things in it. The mysterious man promises him that if he were to drink the contents of the bag mixed with water and hairs from his head he would receive great fortune. As James happily runs back to the house, he accidentally drops the bag and the contents seep into the ground. 

  The peach tree begins to blossom, and a massive peach begins to grow. The peach becomes so massive that James' aunts charge admission and allow people to come see it. At night, James was told to go out and collect trash from all the tourists while his greedy aunts counted their money, and he began to explore the peach, finding a passageway to the inside where he was met by several huge, talking insects, which he quickly befriends. The peach is cut loose, and rolls down the hill, smashing his two aunts flat, and rolls into the ocean. The peach drifts along until sharks begin to attack its bottom, so James makes use of the spider and silkworm and they catch thousands of seagulls to lift the peach into the air.

  The company of insects and James float for a while until, after encountering cloud men, reach Manhattan, where an airplane narrowly misses them, but severs the threads holding the peach to the seagulls. The peach falls and is impaled on the spire of the Empire State Building. The insects are at first believed to be insects or aliens, but are hailed as heroes when James appears. The rest of the insects go on to live very interesting lives. James hollows out the center of the peach, and makes himself a house, in which he works as an author. The book is apparently written by James.

    

"James didn't know where the little man came from. He was just there, thrusting a faintly glowing bag at James. 'Here! You take it! It's yours!' With a promise that the bag of 'little green things' is magic and will free James from life with his horrible, cruel aunts, Sponge and Spiker, the little man is gone––and James is dizzy with joy. But in his excitement James drops the bag, and the magic is lost, sucked into the ground around the old peach tree. Would things never go right for James?

But then he feels it. Something is going to happen. Aunt Spiker spots it first: a peach growing high in their single peach tree. Growing and growing till it's as big as fat Aunt Sponge, and then as big as their house! All greedy Sponge and Spiker can think is that the remarkable peach will make them rich. But James knows. 'Something else, something stranger than ever this time, is about to happen to me again soon.'"

My Impressions: This book is entertaining, and contains poems and songs, as well as an interesting storyline. The characters are beautiful despite their frightening exterior, and are very likable. There is deep sadness, great happiness, intensity, and exultation in the writing.

Parent's Guide:  James and the Giant Peach was Challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wis. (1991) and at the Morton Elementary School library in Brooksville, Fla. (1992) because the book contains the word "ass" and "promotes" the use of drugs (tobacco, snuff) and whiskey. The book was also removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Va. (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains crude language and encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults.

 

Recommendations: This book was one of the first novels I read when I was younger, and I would recommend it strongly to everyone. People identify with the trials of literary characters, and empathize with them when their trials are deep and significant. James' trials are exceptionally horrible, but he manages to find friends and demonstrate heroism.

Clementine

Clementine - Sara Pennypacker

Scholastic Inc. - 2007

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Reading Level: 7+  Number of Pages: 136 Genre: Fiction

Winner of the Rhode Island Childrens' Book Award - 2008
New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing
National Parenting and Publication Gold Award Winner

Summary: Clementine is a spunky eight-year-old who has not been having a very easy week. Everything in school and with her friends just seems to go wrong. Everything starts off when she helps her friend Margaret cut the glue out of her hair, which gets her sent to the principal's office. The principle always tells her to pay attention, which she is doing! Nobody seems to understand how well she is paying attention, and they always seem to wonder how she manages to get in trouble. She tries to make Margaret feel better about her hair by cutting her own hair off, which of course gets her sent to the principal's office again. Because Margaret's mother won't let her daughter play anymore, Clementine's dad takes her out to help chase the pigeons off the front of their apartment complex, a battle they fight constantly since her dad is the building manager. Clementine is sad because her best friend is mad at her, and her parents and teachers are always frustrated with her, so she decides she will make a big poster of her cat to scare away the pigeons, when she finds out that the lady upstairs has been feeding them on the windowsill. By encouraging the lady to feed the birds on the other side of the building, the problem of the pigeons has been solved, and Clementine is praised. This is good because Clementine is the "trouble child." The book ends with she and Margaret making up and a victory cake for solving the problem of the pigeons on the building.

     "I have not had so good of a week. Well Monday was a pretty good day, if you don't count Hamburger Surprise at lunch and Margaret's mother coming to get her. Or the stuff that happened in the principal's office when i got sent there to explain that Margaret's hair was not my fault and besides she looks okay without it, but I couldn't because Principle Rise was gone, trying to calm down Margaret's mother."

My Impressions: Clementine is like a lot of kids who can't seem to fit in at school or are always credited for misbehaving when they mean no real harm. A lot of Clementine's "bad" behavior is motivated by a desire to understand or explore new ideas, or out of sympathy for her friends. She is painfully honest and simply innocent; traits that only add to her personality.

Parent's Guide: Clementine speculates a lot on things she thinks she is going to do when she gets older. She talks about getting a tattoo and about smoking cigars.

Recommendations: Anyone who was a fan of Beverly Cleary's books will love this one. Clementine is so identifiable as a child, and I believe a lot of people would enjoy this book, particularly eight-year-old kids who have trouble fitting in.

The Two Step-Sisters

The Two Step-Sisters

Asbjørnsen and Moe- First published in 1859.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once were two step-sisters. One was good and the other was bad. The stepmother loved the bad one more than the good, and would make her do chores. One day the stepmother asked her daughter (the bad one) to draw some water. Since she didn't want to, the stepmother told the good sister to go. When she reached the well and lowered the bucket, the rope snapped and the bucket fell. The good girl was upset for she was afraid of what would happen to her if she returned home without the bucket, so she descended into the well to search for it. When she came to the bottom she met a Madonna who lived there. "Have you seen a rope and bucket?" she asked the woman. "Yes, I have," was the reply. "If you wish I will give it you, but first you must stay behind and tend my household. Give my child his broth and sweep my floor and I will return you your bucket." The girl did as she was told, and as she swept she found that the dust was turned into beautiful corals and precious stones. These she set aside to give to the Madonna when she returned. 

 When the Madonna returned the girl offered her the corals and stones, but the Woman let her keep them, stowing them inside her bucket. "As a token of my thanks," said the woman, "would you receive as payment a calico dress or a silk dress?" "Oh, the calico," said the girl. The woman gave her the silk. "and would you receive a silver thimble or a brass thimble?" "Oh, I cannot accept more than the brass!" The woman gave her the silver. Then the woman instructed her to look upward into heaven as she ascended from the well. This she did, and a star came down and alighted on her brow, causing her visage to sparkle and shine. Her stepmother and sister were angry when she returned, and were jealous of the riches the good sister had received. So the stepmother sent the bad sister on the same errand.

 When the bad sister met the Madonna she was given the same charge, but instead of feeding the Woman's child she ate the broth herself, and when she swept she did so lazily, and in doing so found no corals nor precious stones. When the Madonna came back, she asked whether she would have a silk dress or a calico. 

"Oh, silk!" She was given the calico. She was then asked whether she would have a brass or silver thimble.

"Oh, silver!" She was given the brass thimble.

Then the woman told her to look up into heaven as she ascended from the well. This she did, but as she looked up a great clump of dirt fell onto her face, which remained there and could not be washed off.

My Impressions: I think the story reinforces the idea of how we should inwardly be good and virtuous and honest. I think it is almost a cinderella story, but has a uniqueness about it.

 

Parent's Guide: none.

Recommendations: Recommended for everyone.

The Husband Who Was to Mind the House

The Husband Who Was to Mind the House

Asbjørnsen and Moe- First published in 1859.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once was a man and a wife. One day the man came home from working in the field, and was very put out with the hard work he had done that day. He was so angry that his wife suggested they trade roles for the next day, and try out each others' jobs. The husband decided it was a wonderful idea, and so they switched roles.

  That morning he arose and began to churn butter. While doing this, he began to get thirsty, so he went to get some ale. When he came back, he saw that the pig had gotten into the house and had upset the butter churn. In his anger he spilt his ale and accidentally killed the pig. He began to churn again, but then remembered that the cow needed to be milked, and he still wasn't done churning. He couldn't leave the churn at the house, for the child would definitely spill it, so he strapped it to his back and went to milk the cow. As he bent down to milk the cow, the cream and butter spilt out of the churn and ran down his back and onto the ground. Now he had wasted two churns of butter and still had not prepared any for dinner. Presently he milked the cow, and then noticed that it was too late in the day to take her to pasture, so he decided it would work the same to let her graze on the roof, for their house was thatched with sod. So he raised a plank and led her up onto the roof. Afraid the cow might fall off, and making haste since he still had to grind some oatmeal, he lowered the cow's harness down the chimney, and attached it to his leg while he ground the oatmeal and prepared dinner.

 Presently the cow fell off the roof, dragging the man up the chimney. The cow could not get away for the harness, and the man could not release himself. So there he hung until his wife came home. She got on top of the roof to cut him down, and he fell headfirst into the oatmeal he had been grinding.

My Impressions: I wonder if the story does not reinforce gender-roles, but I find it humorous that the husband had such a hard time minding the house, while the woman didn't seem to mind her job at all.

 

Parent's Guide: Alcohol use, the man gets angry and kills the pig.

Recommendations: Recommended for everyone.

The Three Billy-Goats Gruff

The Three Billy-Goats Gruff

Asbjørnsen and Moe- First published in 1859.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once were three goats by the name of Gruff, and they were getting tired of eating in the same field. So they determined to go off into another field to make themselves fat. This required them to cross a bridge. The first two both individually crossed, but told the troll who lived under the bridge that their brother would soon come who was bigger than they, which was true. What the troll didn't know was that the third goat was bigger than the other two by far. The third goat was not threatened by the troll's attempts to eat him, but instead gouged the trolls eyes out, broke his bones with his horns, and threw him into the river. The three billy goats lived in peace and happiness forever after.

My Impressions: The original has been adapted somewhat, and has become a fairy tale we are all familiar with.

Parent's Guide: The Troll is severely hurt.

Recommendations:Again, these old fairy tales are great, and recommended for everyone.

True and Untrue

True and Untrue
Asbjørnsen and Moe- First published in 1859.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There were once two brothers whose names were True and Untrue. True was so named because he was honest and good, while Untrue could not be trusted. The two brothers were journeying in a wood, and Untrue suggested that they eat out of True's knapsack first, and then after it was empty they could eat out of his. True agreed, but when later on their journey it was time to eat out of Untrue's knapsack, Untrue forbade him, saying it was all his. At this True protested, saying he was not surprised everyone called him Untrue. At this, Untrue rushed at his brother and plucked out his eyes, saying, "Now see if you can tell who is true and who is not!" With that he ran off into the forest.

  True wandered through the forest blindly, groping his way until he perceived it was growing cold. Since it must have been nightfall, he climbed up into a tree to protect himself from the beasts below. As he sat in the tree, a group of beasts gathered together below him, and spoke among themselves. 

"The king of England is in rough times now," said the bear. "His eyesight is terrible! Little does he know that he need only rub his eyes with the dew of this tree before us, and his eyesight would return, better than ever."

"Most certainly," said the wolf. "His daughter, who is deaf and dumb could also be cured, for below the stones of the mantlepiece in their house sits a toad who has swallowed a piece of communion bread. Let her eat that bread, and she shall be healed."

"That is not all!" said the hare. "For the orchard without the castle would regain its splendor, should only some one dig up the golden chain that is buried there. The king knows not his fortune!"

Their conversation continued, and when they had gone, the man descended and washed his eyes in the dew of the tree, and his sight returned, better than it had ever been. True went in search of the king, and blessed his household by healing his orchard, his eyesight, and his daughter by the news of these animals. He even got to keep the gold chain that encircled the orchard. The king promised him his daughter as a wife, now that she had been healed.

 Soon after a beggar came to the kingdom, and True recognized him as his brother, Untrue, who had plucked out his eyes and left him in the forest. He begged at the feet of True, and asked him to bestow some of his wealth upon him. True replied, "Untrue you are in name and deed, but go to the tree in the forest and wait there to see if you hear anything interesting."

And so Untrue waited in the tree, straining his ears to hear the secrets told to his brother. Soon the animals gathered together for their meeting, and one suggested they tell stories, same as before. "No," said the bear. "For one of us has been telling our secrets we told last year. Therefore let us hold our tongues of what we know." And Untrue knew just as much as he did before

My Impressions: This is more of an allegory to teach about being faithful and obedient, as well as following instructions. I would like to point out that True was willing to give his brother advice, even after he had his eyes put out.

Parent's Guide: Untrue puts out the eyes of True.

Recommendations:Again, these old fairy tales are great, and recommended for everyone.

The Emperor's New Suit

The Emperor's New Suit
Hans Christian Andersen- First published in 1835.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once was an emperor who was very vain, and was always in the attitude of buying new and fabulous suits of clothing for himself. One day there came a couple of swindlers who promised to make him the most fantastic piece of clothing they had ever seen. The men promised a garment of such incredulity and awe that those who were stupid or unworthy of their office would not be able to see it. Intrigued, the emperor commissioned the garment. His courtiers and ministers who went on to check the work of the swindlers did not say to the king that there was no cloth on the looms, for they didn't want to seem like they were stupid or unfit for their position. Instead they praised the finery of the swindlers, and promised that the emperor would look incredible in the new clothes.

 When at last there came a big day for a parade, the emperor was to try on his new clothes. Of course, he could see nothing, but gave no sign of it. Instead he paid the swindlers and praised their hard work, and exiting out into the parade he marched boldly. His courtiers pretended to hold up the train of his cloak, for they did not want to appear to be too stupid for the office they held.

 This way they marched in ridiculous manner until a small child exclaimed, "Look! The emperor is not wearing anything at all!" At this, the emperor was touched at the simple virtue of children, and learned his lesson. But he still had to continue on in the parade like there really were fabulous clothes on him.

My Impressions:This is a funny analogy to explain how we shouldn't believe everything people tell us.

 

Parent's Guide:None, really.

Recommendations: Check it out, Andersen is a classic.

Little Tom Thumb

Little Tom Thumb
Charles Perrault- First published in 1697.

Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There was once a mother and father who had many children, the youngest of which was little Tom, who was much smaller than the rest. The large family began to be difficult for the mother and father to financially care for, so one day after much arguing and discussion, they determined that they would either starve together in their home or they would have to lose their children in the forest. So the father, who was a woodcutter, took his children into the forest under the guise of having them help him cut wood for their family. Little Tom understood his family's plight, and he undertook to create a way to help him find his way back again, so he took a piece of bread and dropped crumbs as he walked into the forest, hoping to follow the crumbs on his way back. How distraught he was when he found the birds had eaten all the crumbs!

  He and his brothers set off into the forest, pursuing a light through the trees they suspected was their home in the distance. When they came close, they discovered it was a cottage where an ogre lived. They knocked and the woman who answered the door scolded them for their folly in coming there. "Do you not know that my husband is an ogre?" she said. "If you lodge here he will surely eat you all up!" "It would be better to risk that in your house than to risk being eaten by wolves out here," said little Tom. And so the woman let them lodge for the night, and they hid under the ogre's bed.

When the ogre came home, he immediately smelled the boys, and searched the house 'til he found them. He would have eaten them all on the spot, had not his wife suggested that they preserve them for another day, while in the meantime they could fatten them up. The ogre agreed, and made a place for the boys to sleep near the bedroom of his daughters.

 Now the daughters of the ogre were ogres themselves, but were not fully grown enough to go out hunting men, as their razor teeth had not fully developed. There were seven daughters, and each wore a little golden crown to bed. Thinking quickly, little Tom snuck into the bedroom of the daughters, and stole all their golden crowns. These he placed on the heads of his sleeping brothers, and put his brothers' nightcaps on the ogre's daughters' heads. Late that night, the ogre, who had been drinking plenty of wine, determined to go in and cut the throats of the boys he had found. He crept in and felt around, and noticing the crowns went in the other room and cut the throats of the sleepers there. Little Tom did not sleep at all, but lay quietly and tensely awake, waiting for the ogre to go to bed. He woke his brothers, telling them to make haste so they could  leave before it was found out what had been done that night. Just as they were leaving they heard a shriek coming from the house, for it had been discovered that their daughters' throats had been cut. The ogre, realizing what had been done, put on his magic traveling boots and ran throughout the country, seeking the boys and hoping to exact his revenge on them. Little Tom happened upon the ogre after he had been running all over the country for weeks, and had passed out under a tree for the fatigue of running. Here Tom stole the ogre's boots, which were magical and shrank to fit to his feet. He discovered that they also had the magical property of allowing the wearer to reach destinations with great swiftness. Now that the ogre could not pursue them, Tom went and worked for the king, sending messages to neighboring cities, and made quite a fortune of it too. He returned home with the money he had made, and their family dwelt in happiness.

My Impressions: First of all, this version is very much unlike any other I have read of this story. It almost has a "Hansel and Gretel" appeal at the first, but segways into an almost morbid account of the ogre killing his daughters by accident. The appeal in this story is of the ingenuity of little Tom, who, despite his size, is able to outwit a terrible ogre.

 

Parent's Guide:The ogre accidentally kills his daughters. There is a constant fear in the book of being eaten or destroyed in some way, and the beginning speaks a lot of financial instability. I think the story plays on the common fear of not being able to care for (or the fear of not being cared for).

Recommendations:Stories like this one are very interesting to read in their original form, and I would recommend that parents familiarize their children with various versions of the same tale.

The Master Cat or Puss In Boots

The Master Cat or Puss in Boots
Charles Perrault- First published in 1697.

Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once was a son of a certain miller, who when he died willed to his three sons his whole worldly fortune. To the eldest went the farm, to the second went the donkey, and to the youngest went the family cat. The youngest son was very much put out, for with his father dead and the farm gone, he feared to make a living. "Once my money is out I may be forced to eat this cat and die," he said. "Do not fear," replied the cat. "I may well be of some use to you before long." So saying he donned a pair of boots to look presentable and set out to gain favor with the king of the region. He stopped in a field and caught two large pheasants in a bag and brought them to the king's palace, where he announced: "A gift sire, from the Marquis of Carabas," for that was the name he had invented for his master. The king was pleased at the gift, and the cat returned often to bring the king pheasants or rabbits and the like. 
There came a day when the cat learned that the king was to take his beautiful daughter on a riverside excursion, and the cat saw his opportunity to benefit his master. So he instructed his master to bathe in the river. When the king and his carriage came by, the cat exclaimed, "Help! the Marquis of Carabas is drowning!" With that the carriage stopped short, and the servants of the king raised up the cat's master and clothed him, for the cat had told them that his master had been robbed. The king was familiar with the man only by his reputation as the Marquis of Carabas, for the cat had spoke of him often, therefore he made a place for him in the carriage. Dressed as he was, in the finery of royalty, the princess was smitten with him, and they talked together as they went on their journey. "Go forth," said the cat, "while I go ahead to prepare the castle for your arrival," and with that the cat scampered ahead to the palace of an ogre.
  The ogre had the magical ability to turn himself into any form, and the cat approached him with a challenge, that he couldn't change into a lion. The ogre rose up and changed into a ferocious lion. Then the cat bet him that he couldn't change into a mouse. When the ogre changed into a mouse, the cat sprang upon him and ate him. Then he prepared the abundant stores of the ogre and made ready for his master and king to reach the castle. 
 When the king reached the castle, he was amazed at the wealth and power of the Marquis, for the ogre's castle was large and spacious. At that he insisted that the Marquis marry his daughter the princess, and they lived happily ever after.

My Impressions: This is a very interesting fairy-tale, and I enjoyed it even though it was my first experience with this tale. It is interesting that the cat brings the man fortune, and is loyal to his master.

Parent's Guide: The cat kills the ogre.

Recommendations:Stories like this one are very interesting to read in their original form, and I would recommend that parents familiarize their children with various versions of the same tale.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty
Charles Perrault- First published in 1697.

Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary:There was once a king and queen who desired badly to have a child, but for many years could not. When at length they were finally blessed with a baby girl, they invited all the fairies in the region to the christening, where the fairies were all given a little gold box and gold silverware. In return, the fairies all bestowed a blessing on the child, some giving her gifts of beauty, others gifts of song, and so on. Before the last fairy could bestow her gift, another fairy entered the hall. This was an old magical hag, who had not been invited to the party. She was angry for not having been invited, so she set a curse on the little girl, so that when she reached the age of sixteen she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die.

  The crowd was aghast, but the last fairy stood up, for all was not lost. Her power could not undo the spell, but she could lessen it. The girl would not die, but would instead fall into a sleep, and would awaken in a hundred years' time, when a prince would awaken her. 

  When sixteen years had passed, despite all the precautions of the king and queen, their daughter pricked her finger on a spinning wheel, and she fell into a sleep. The fairies responded by putting the whole kingdom to sleep, including the fires and lanterns, as well as the livestock. 

  Many years passed, and in another region there was a prince who undertook to seek his fortune in the world. He and a great company set out, hearing of a rumor of a castle wherein lay a beautiful princess, sleeping and awaiting a prince to awaken her. He set out until he came to a great forest of brambles that surrounded the castle. He was surprised to find that they thorns gave way as he approached them, but was more surprised to find that they closed back up behind him, so that none of his livery could accompany him. A prince is brave, and so he continued on, past the sleeping guards and citizens of the town.

 When he ascended the tower to where the princess slept, he threw back the curtains and looked upon her. In that instant, the hundred-year curse ended, and she awoke and exclaimed, "Is it you, dear prince? At last you have come!"

The prince was astonished, and fell in love with her instantly. He told her so in faltering words, which show his true intentions. "Where there is less of eloquence, there is more of love." They were married in time, and lived happily ever after.

My Impressions: A very good story; I feel like most kids grow up watching the Disney version, but never really get acquainted with the real story. The version is quite interesting, and has deep significance in the way it ends.

 

Parent's Guide: no problems?

Recommendations:Stories like this one are very interesting to read in their original form, and I would recommend that parents familiarize their children with various versions of the same tale.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood
Charles Perrault- First published in 1697.

Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: Red Riding Hood was on her way to her grandmother's house, walking through the forest with a little cake and some butter for her ailing grandma. As she walked she met a wolf. The wolf would have eaten her up right then and there, but he was afraid of the woodcutters in the area. So he asked her where she was off to.

"Why, I am on my way to my grandmother's house," she said. "It is just over the hill, and I am bringing her this basket to help her get well."

"I am also heading that way," said the wolf. "Why don't we see who can get there the swiftest"? And so he ran off as fast as he could, while Little Red Riding Hood took her time, chasing butterflies and gathering nuts. When the wolf came to the cottage he knocked, and after being invited in he quickly devoured the old woman. The wolf put on the old woman's clothing and climbed into her bed.

Not long after, Little Red Riding Hood knocked on the door, and the wolf called out to her, inviting her in. The little girl didn't suspect anything because she knew her grandmother had a terrible cold, and would certainly sound gruff. So she came in and climbed into bed with the wolf, and then remarked, "What big eyes you have!"

"The better to see you with," said the wolf.

"And what big teeth you have!" said the girl.

"All the better to eat you with!" said the wolf. And with that he gobbled her up.

The moral of the story: Don't trust strangers.

My Impressions: Sometimes it is a little strange to read the story in its original form, and certainly this version ends differently than its contemporaries. I believe it would be a good idea to teach kids about strangers, but I suppose it should be up to the parents on whether they teach whether or not there is a happy ending. Either way, the story will definitely captivate kids, and may even scare them into a lesson.

 

Parent's Guide: Both the grandmother and Red get eaten in the end. There is no woodcutter in this version to save them.

Recommendations:Stories like this one are very interesting to read in their original form, and I would recommend that parents familiarize their children with various versions of the same tale.

The Brave Tin Soldier

The Brave Tin Soldier
Hans Christian Andersen- First published in 1838.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 4 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There were once 25 soldiers made of tin, who were all cast at the same time. One soldier, who was cast last, had only one leg, for there was not enough tin. Nevertheless, he stood upright and shouldered his musket and showed a brave face. In the toy-room where the soldiers lived there were all sorts of toys, but the prettiest was a little toy dancer, who had a tinsel rose, large as her face, on a dress of muslin. When the dancer danced she pirouetted and rose a leg high up into the air, so that the soldier fancied that she, too had only one leg. "This is the wife for me," he said to himself.  

One night, as the toy soldier was watching the dancer dance, a toy goblin came up to him and said, "Tin soldier, do not wish for what does not belong to you."

But the tin soldier ignored him. 

"Very well," said the goblin. "Wait till to-morrow then."

The next morning the soldier was standing in the window, and as the children came in he was accidentally knocked out the window and into the street below. Though the children looked for him, he was not to be found. It began to rain, and water coursed down the gutters of the street. A couple of boys found the soldier, and made a little boat of paper and placed him in it, setting sailing down the gutter. The soldier was brave, and stood erect as he sailed, rushing with the current as it flowed down the gutter, into the sewer, and on, out to the ocean, where the boat disintegrated and the soldier was swallowed by a fish.

  Remarkably not long after, the fish was caught, and the soldier heard a voice, "I declare here is the tin soldier." By chance the fish had been caught by the father of the family who had lost the soldier, and he had miraculously found his way back home. The family placed him on the table, and he spied the elegant little dancer at the door. They nearly wept at the sight of each other.

  Just then, and it had to be the fault of the goblin, one of the little boys took up the soldier and cast him into the stove. The flames lighted him, and he felt himself melting away. Just then the door opened and the little dancer floated through the air and into the stove, where her delicate form was instantly consumed.

 When the maid took the ashes out of the stove, she saw nothing of the little dancer but the tinsel rose, but of the soldier she saw he had melted into the shape of a heart.

My Impressions: This was a very sad and touching story about the little soldier. I really don't know what the message could be from this story.

 

Parent's Guide:The story is very sad, and the soldier stands tall throughout and is very brave, but he ends up melting in the end.

Recommendations: Check it out, Andersen is a classic.

The Saucy Boy

The Saucy Boy
Hans Christian Andersen- First published in 1835.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: Once there was an old poet, and he was sitting alone in his house cooking some apples. It was raining, and he was spending the time by himself when there was a knock at the door. It was a little boy with curly hair who was carrying a little bow and some arrows. The man set him by the fire and asked him his name. The little boy answered that his name was Cupid, and told the man to notice his bow, for he shot people with it. "But your boy is spoilt," said the old poet. "No it isn't!" said the boy, and shot the old man in the heart, for that is what Cupid does. The old man vowed that he would tell all the good girls and boys about Cupid, so that everyone would be on their guard. But although everyone was always on their guard, he continues to shoot people in the heart even today. He shot your mother and father, and also your grandparents. Now you know what a bad boy Cupid is.

My Impressions:This is a funny analogy to explain why people fall in love, but little kids might not understand that.

Parent's Guide: Shooting people in the heart? Maybe it would be helpful to explain what cupid has to do with symbolically falling in love.

Recommendations: Check it out, Andersen is a classic.

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea
Hans Christian Andersen- First published in 1835.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary:There was a prince who would marry a princess, but she had to be a real princess. He traveled all over the world, but couldn't find what he wanted. On a stormy night there was a knock at the door, and there was a princess at the gate. The water had drenched her, but she said that she was definitely a real princess. So they let her in and let her sleep on a stack of mattresses, at the bottom of which they had placed a pea. On this the princess lay all night. In the morning they asked her how she slept, and she lamented that there was something hard below her mattress, and she was sore. They all knew that she was a real princess because she had felt the pea below all the mattresses, and nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that. The prince married her, and they put the pea in a museum.

My Impressions: An interesting story, but I'm not sure if it teaches a lesson or anything. I think it is more of a commentary on how ridiculously dainty princesses are.

 

Parent's Guide: No problems.

Recommendations: A definite read for everyone.

The Fisherman and His Wife

The Fisherman and His Wife
The Brothers Grimm- First published in 1869.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 4 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There was once a fisherman who lived near the sea, and every day he went fishing. One day he hooked a great flounder, who said, "Let me go, great fisherman!" The fisherman said, "You need not worry, for I would not eat a fish who can speak." So he released the fish.

When he returned home and told his wife about the strange fish, she scolded him, and told him to go back, for a talking fish must be magical, and ought to grant them a wish. Besides, their little cottage was so small, couldn't they have a bigger house? So he went back and stood by the water, and called out to the fish, saying that his wife wanted a bigger house. The fish arrived and said that his wish was granted. 

  The fisherman's wife was not satisfied, but asked him to return and ask for a castle, which he did. As he asked, he noticed that the sky was beginning to grow dark.

  His wife was still not satisfied. She commanded her husband to return and ask him to maker her queen. As he returned, he noticed the sky was beginning to be very ominous and stormy.

  His wife was still not satisfied, surrounded by her pomp and finery. She ordered him to return to the fish, and ask to have her be crowned as Pope, and ruler of all Christendom. As he returned, he could hardly walk for the gale and hurricane that enveloped him.

 Amidst it all, his wife was still not satisfied, and though she was the most powerful person in Christendom, she ordered him to return to the fish and make her ruler of all the universe. The man went to the fish, and the fish grumbled, "What would she have now?" and the man replied, "Ah, she wants to be Ruler of the Universe." "Return," the fish said, "And you will find her back in her cottage."

So the fisherman returned, and he and his wife dwelt in the cottage.

My Impressions: The story teaches an interesting lesson, and I think children will benefit from knowing that they shouldn't ask for too much, but should be satisfied with what they have.

 

Parent's Guide: No problems.

Recommendations: A definite read for everyone.

Clever Alice

Strong Hans
The Brothers Grimm- First published in 1869.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 4 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once was a girl who was nicknamed "Clever Alice," for she was very smart. "She is so smart," her mother said, "She can hear the wind blow and can the flies cough!" A boy named Hans was impressed by how notoriously smart she was, so he determined to meet this girl for himself. So the family offered to prepare a dinner, during which, their parents asked Alice to go down into the cellar to draw some beer.
   As Alice was walking down the stairs, she removed the lid from the jug so as to not waste time, and she drew a stool and placed it by the cask of beer, so she wouldn't have to stand while the jug was filling. While the beer was running into the jug, she looked around, so as to not let her eyes be idle. As she was looking around, she perceived a hatchet hanging on the wall behind her. At the sight of this, she started to weep, saying: "Oh, if I marry Hans, and we have a child, and he grows up, and we send him into the cellar to draw beer, the hatchet will fall upon his head and kill him;" and she sat there weeping over the impending misfortune.
   Her mother grew impatient that she did not return, so she went down to check on her daughter. When she heard of the predicament, she, too sat down and started to weep. The father sent his boy down, and he also began to lament at the impending misfortune. After a time, the father also went down, leaving Hans upstairs all alone. After a bit he decided to go check on everyone, and found them all in the cellar, weeping together while the beer ran out, overflowing the jug and onto the floor. When he asked what the matter was, Alice replied: "Oh, Hans! If we get married and have a child, and he grows up, we may send him into the cellar to draw beer, and the hatchet may fall upon his head and kill him!" And so she and her family wept all the more.
   Hans observed the family with wonder, and then announced that he had a solution to their predicament: "I see now that the best solution would be that we refrain from getting married, as that would best avoid this tragedy," and so he left.

My Impressions: I chose "Clever Alice" because it is one of --in my opinion-- the funniest tales in the collection. Certainly Alice isn't as clever as she claims to be.

Parent's Guide: Alcohol usage.

Recommendations: A definitely clever tale, even if Alice isn't.

Strong Hans

Strong Hans
The Brothers Grimm- First published in 1869.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 4 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: Hans and his mother were taken captive by bandits and forced to live in a cave for several years. During that time, Hans grew up to be immensely strong, and he freed himself and his mother by beating up all the bandits with a staff. After this, he stole all the bandits' gold and returned to the house of his father. The gold he recovered from the bandits made he and his family rich. Hans made himself a staff of great weight, and went off into the world to seek his fortune. He came across two giants, one who was twisting trees to make a rope and another who was splitting rock with his fists. The two became his traveling companions, and they took turns hunting in the forest. One night, a dwarf appeared at the campfire while Tree-twister was cooking meat, who demanded food. Tree-twister denied him, and the dwarf attacked him, beat him up, and stole meat. Tree-twister decided not to tell his companions about the episode, but decided to see how they would fare. The same thing happened to Rock-splitter, and he also decided to see if Hans would be able to manage the dwarf.

  When Hans was approached by the dwarf, he gave him a piece of meat. The dwarf ate it, and then attacked Hans, who clubbed him with his staff and chased the little rascal off. When Rock-splitter and Tree-twister returned to camp, Hans was merry with himself, and proposed that the three go in search of the dwarf. When they arrived at the cave where the dwarf was hidden they observed that he was holding a princess captive, and Hans was smitten with her beauty. Hans swung the club and killed the dwarf, and then purposed to go down into the cave and rescue the princess, so they lowered a basket and Hans released her. 

 Now Hans did not trust his companions, for they had not told him about the dwarf, so when he needed to come back up himself he put his staff in the basket. It was good that he did so, for his companions dropped it as they were lifting it up, and it fell back into the cave. If he had been in the basket he would certainly have been killed. So after his companions left he discovered that the dwarf had a ring on his finger, which when he wore discovered two spirits rustling above him, who offered to serve him with wishes. He desired to be out of the cave and to exact revenge on his companions, who had abandoned him and stolen his princess. So he was carried up out of the cave, where he pursued his former companions out to sea. After defeating them he threw them into the sea and steered their boat home. The father and mother of the princess were very happy, and they had a beautiful wedding. 

My Impressions: First of all, Hans is incredibly strong. He would be a good character for a role-model of manliness and strength. The story is typical of fairy-tale stories in that there are great trials which are overcome by strength and courage.

 

Parent's Guide:As mentioned above, there is a lot of fighting in this story, and Hans is an exacter of vengeance on those who wrong him.

Recommendations:Classic fairy-tales are great, and definitely worth the time.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel
The Brothers Grimm- First published in 1869.

Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 4 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale

Summary: There once was a mother and father who wished to have a child, but never could. The family had a window in the back of their house which looked into a garden owned by a witch where delicious-looking vegetables grew. The husband was entreated by his wife to get some of the vegetables, for she believed she would die if she did not get them. So in the dark of night he snuck down and stole some radishes. The husband continued to steal radishes, as they had an astonishing effect on his wife, and would bring her health, but also a desire for more. One one of these occasions, the husband was caught by the witch, and she bargained with the man. In order to avoid being cursed they made a deal, and when his daughter, who he named Rapunzel, reached the age of twelve, she was taken and locked in a tower. When the witch wished to enter, she would call from below and Rapunzel would drop her long, beautiful hair out the window, and the witch would climb up. 

  After a couple of years, the king's son happened to be riding by, and he saw the witch call into the tower, and the rope of hair fall down. After the witch had come and gone, he called up to the tower, and climbed up. She was scared initially, but quickly agreed to marry the prince. They contrived a plan whereby the prince would bring a piece of silk whereby they might bring her down again from the tower, and the prince departed. 

  The next time the witch came by, Rapunzel asked her why it took her so long to climb up the tower, while the prince could climb in only a very short time, and her cover was blown. The witch seized Rapunzel's hair and cut it all off. She then took the poor maiden into the desert and left her to live in misery.

   When the prince came by again, he called up the tower, and the witch cast down Rapunzel's hair, and allowed him to climb. When he arrived, the witch mocked and threatened him, saying he would never see his true love again. The prince sprang from the tower in his bewilderment, and in the act fell into thorns which put out his eyes. He wandered blind in the wilderness, weeping for his lost love, until he heard a voice he thought he recognized. It was Rapunzel, and she recognized him; they embraced and she wept. Her tears moistened his eyes, and they healed. He brought her to his kingdom, where they lived long and happy.

Nobody knows what happened to the witch.

My Impressions: The Brothers Grimm have beautiful tales, and I felt that it would be significant to review a famous tale, only recently done by Disney. To me this tale is significant because it shows hope, even after something irreparably horrible has happened.

 

Parent's Guide: The husband steals vegetables, their daughter is captured and forced to live in a tower, and the prince's eyes are put out. Everything works out okay in the end, however.

Recommendations: Classic fairy-tales are great! Try them out.