Hansel and Gretel

Author/Illustrator: Lucy Kincaid/Eric Kincaid

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: None

Grade Level: 2nd-4th

Hansel and Gretel's dad and stepmom were too poor to take care of them. The step mother decided they should take them out into the woods and let them take care of themselves. Hansel and Gretel kept finding their way back to the house by using pebbles. They were taken back out to the woods and Hansel used bread comes to make a trail the second time. When it was time for them to head back they realized that the bread crumbs had been eaten. After three days of wondering around they found a house that was made out of sweets. Of course they started to eat it. The witch that lived there invited them in, but little did they know she had her own dark plans. She was going to fatten them up to eat them. Everyday the witch made Gretel make Hansel food in order to fatten him up. Hansel tricked the witch into thinking he wasn't getting fatter. The witch got tired of waiting and told Gretel to get into the oven. Gretel outsmarted the witch and said she didn't know how. When the witch demonstrated how Gretel pushed her in, freed her brother, and they ran home. The woodcutter, Hansel and Gretel's dad, was relieved to see his children. He told them that they sold all of their treasure and that the stepmother had died. 

This book could be read by second graders, but I would use it for third and fourth more often. The words are large and simple for second graders, maybe even first graders. However the content is more for upper elementary students. There are some parts of the book that don't seem appropriate for younger students. I would use this book in my classroom during a unit over fairy tales.