Everyone knows the tale of Hansel & Gretel but this one is quite different and certainly reads as the title forecasts, as dark and Grimm. Yes, the familiar story is there but the twists and turns are most unexpected and take you down paths that are somewhat reminiscent of other Grimm tales. Quirky, scary and funny, this tale has deep truths and remarkable vision into the heart and soul of people of all ages. Companion book: In a Glass Grimmly with another title to be released in October 2013.

Similar authors: Lemony Snickett; Michael Buckley

Similar books: The Sisters Grimm series and the Series of Unfortunate Events.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Awards nominated: 2014 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 2/19/2013

ISBN-10: 0525423346

ISBN-13: 9780525423348

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This story is based on a trickster tale about Tricky Fox. Tricky brags to Brother Fox that stealing chickens is too easy: he is going to steal a pig. Brother Fox makes a bet that Tricky can't do it, and the game is afoot. Tricky starts by putting a log in an old sack. He waits until evening and then knocks on an old lady's door. He tells her how old and tired he is and asks to spend the night. When she lets him in, he makes a big deal over how worried he is that someone will touch his sack. She promises to watch the sack for him, but true to human nature, she can't help but take a peak. The next morning, the fox starts exclaiming that someone stole his loaf of bread and replaced it with an old log. The woman does not want to admit that she had looked in the sack, so she calms him by giving him a loaf of bread from her own pantry. Tricky Fox then repeats this trick several nights in a row, trading up to a chicken and finally the pig that he is after. But the last little old lady has a trick of her own to play on dear Tricky Fox.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0439095433

ISBN-13: 9780439095433

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The legend of the Tales' creation is that they were originally told by Shahrazad, wife of Shahriyar, king of India and China. Shariyar was convinced that he was fated to be betrayed by his wife, so made it a custom to marry a young girl every day and put her to death the next morning. Shahrazad thwarted this custom by telling a new story every night, leaving a cliff-hanger before retiring to bed. In this way, Shahriyar was kept in suspense, needing to keep her alive to hear the rest of each story. At the end of the 1,001st night, Shahriyar realized that he loved and trusted Sharazad, and they remained together for the rest of their lives. Here are 30 tales, translated from the original Arabic. Included are the famous stories of Aladdin, Sindbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, along with many less well-known, some humorous and some horrifying. The stories are full of rich descriptions which will allow the reader to experience the culture of historical Arabia.

Reviewed by: vfv

Date read: 9/29/2011

ISBN-10: 0385123655

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From a monkey in search of more delicious misery ('misery' is what he believes 'honey' is called) to a man who 'sees with his ears,' this engaging collection of folklore is a colorful read. It is obvious that the author is a professional storyteller from the character of the tales, which read with all the liveliness of tales told by a seasoned teller. The selection of tales is also fresh, including tales as diverse as the Haitian tale, 'Monkey and Papa God,' the West African tale, 'The Blind Man and the Hunter,' as well as the Russian tale, 'Fish in the Forest.' While the source notes could be more extensive, they are included, which is an improvement from some folklore collections.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 9/28/2011

ISBN-10: 1901223094

ISBN-13: 9781901223095

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Everyone rushes to share the sorrow of the young bride, Martina, when her husband, Raton Perez falls into the cooking pot, but it takes a wise woman to ask, 'But who is helping Perez?' This is the first story in a collection that reflects the diverse roots of Hispanic culture. The authors provide notes after each story telling the reader where the story came from and some of the variations that may be told. Stories came from all over Spain, from Celts in northern Galicia to the muslims from the south, to be told in Mexico, Central America and Southwest United States.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 9/27/2011

ISBN-10: 0689825838

ISBN-13: 9780689825835

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