(Felicitas Kuhn, 1962)
When I was a kid I loved fairytales.
I still do.
I still do.
One of my favorites was/is "Hansel and Gretel".
The fairy tale that warned us that things are not always what they seem,
not all people can be trusted,
and that the buddy system is a very good thing.
(Especially when you find yourself in a sticky situation.)
(Especially when you find yourself in a sticky situation.)
(Wanda Gag, 1936)
(not sure who the artist is, Golden Press 1964)
Who can forget the line,
"Nibble Nibble like a mouse, Who is nibbling at my house?"?
We all want to jump up and tell the children to run the other way as fast as they can!
We all want to jump up and tell the children to run the other way as fast as they can!
Over the years, I have collected several versions of the tale.
I love seeing how different artists bring the story to life on the page.
(Erika Weihs, 1946)
(Rose Art Studios, not sure of date, I'm guessing the 60's.)
(Eloise Wilkin, 1954)
This song from the Hansel and Gretel opera by Humperdinck is really beautiful.
Night is falling and Hansel and Gretel are lost deep in the forest.
They pray that angels will watch over them.
Have a listen to "Evening Prayer".
Oh my goodness, pure sweetness! I love that song and the melody. I had to listen to it several times.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing such a lovely song and I love the various books.
Linda
Isn't the harmony gorgeous in that song?
DeleteI remember the last book. I have to say that H&G scared me as a child!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a little scary. But a little fear can teach a lot of "street sense" to a child.
DeleteThe video was lovely! I adore the illustrations from books. Often in thrift stores, I choose a book strictly based on the cover illustrations.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a nice weekend. Mildred
Covers are the first impression we have of a book, so they are carefully chosen by the publishers.
DeleteHansel and Gretel is one of my favorite fairy tales as well.
ReplyDeleteMy mother always baked the best gingerbread cake, too, so I understood why Hansel and Gretel wanted to eat the house.
DeleteDefinitely one of my favorites too. Such gorgeous illustrations.
ReplyDeleteGayle, you always come up with such wonderful ideas for collections. I would never have thought of looking for the same book, illustrated differently by different artists. What a wonderful idea...especially when so many second hand stores carry so many children's books for a very low price. You've given me a wonderful idea, my friend! Oh...and I love any children's books that are illustrated by Eloise Wilken. The faces of her children are SO sweet!
ReplyDeleteDianna, I have an entire bookcase downstairs just for children's books, many saved from the days of my own childhood. Reading and children's literature and illustration are one of my biggest passions. It's in my blood... I come from a family of teachers and artists and librarians. (And opera lovers)
DeleteBeautiful sweetness!
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteI will have to come back, as I can't seem to get the sound to work on this laptop! So disappointed....but I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get it to work, because it truly is one of the most beautiful pieces of music. I've found that sometimes, even if the volume on my computer is turned on, I still have to adjust the volume on the individual youtube. If you mouse over the speaker, you can slide the volume up.
DeleteSounds like the words from the old days would be good reading for children even in todays world!
ReplyDeleteYes, those lessons are still valuable for children today.
DeleteWhat a charming post - I loved the book covers.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteI remember the 1946 Golden Book version of Hansel & Gretel, that must have belonged to my older brother and sister. Fun post! ~ Phyllis
ReplyDeleteErika's illustrations are not easily forgotten.
DeleteI love those old fairy tales, too.... HI from another Kansas girl! :)
ReplyDelete-Kristine
Thanks for stopping by to say Hi, Kristine!
DeleteWhat a lovely collection of Hansel & Gretel books. I love the different illustrations. I was impressed, as a child, how resourceful the children were. I believe the story has many lessons in it.
ReplyDeleteThey really were resourceful. I think they had to be. I always wondered how the father could leave them in the forest? Recently I read another version where the father thought the children would have a better chance of survival in the woods than if they were to remain at home. So he did it to save them from a greater evil.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post! Thank you for making my Sunday brighter! I have a number of vintage children's books (in fact went to a paper show yesterday and picked up some more). I adore Eloise Wilkin!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to share your books with us.
DeleteI love these Gayle - especially the first one. And the book with the puppets I've seen before & it really brought back memories - that was quite a novel approach to illustrating!
ReplyDeleteSharon, that first one by Felicitas Kuhn is my personal favorite, too. That particular book has been read and loved since my childhood.
DeleteHello Blogging Friend...Isn't it nice to have cooler weather now that 'Fall' is here. The changing season isn't the only thing happening in Blogland. Here on CollectInTexas Gal, I've done a bit of a 'MakeOver' and added a BlogShop. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you over for a 'LookSee'. Just click on the signature link below...hope to see you there.
ReplyDeleteSue CollectInTexas BlogShop
Hi Sue, I'll have to stop by band take a look.
DeleteAnother one of your interesting collections. It was a favourite of mine too. The boys choir was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought of my books as a collection, but I guess they are. Children's literature and illustration are a passion of mine. Reading with young people is sooooo important.
DeleteI love all the illustrations, but I think the first two are my favourites. They have such a dreamlike quality.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including the music, I’ve so enjoyed listening to it. Barbara.
Glad you enjoyed it, Barbara!
DeleteNothing like the old tales. Stories like this wouldn't go far these days. Mustn't scare the children. Scary was the best part! That and getting to eat a house.
ReplyDeleteParents need to use some common sense about the age of child they are reading to. But I'm all for a little bit of scary, at the right age, to help them learn important lessons. Children can not be protected from everything, and it's better they learn via a story, than be so naive that they fall prey in real life.
DeleteVery nice. I so enjoy the tale of Hansel and Gretel.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteDear Gayle, Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It brightened my entire day! I just did a little fall post. I hope to be around regularly again! Have a happy day! :)
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteWhat a sweet and fun post. I also love the tale of Hansel and Gretel! There is nothing so wonderful as the look and feel of these children's books.
ReplyDeleteFrom the comments left here, it would seem that this was a favorite for many.
DeleteLove the golden press and puppet versions! So cute! :)
ReplyDeleteI knew you would! :-)
DeleteI love the rose art studios one! The front cover had a rippled overlay to make it look 3-d. I used to have that book!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right. The front cover has a wonderful 3-D picture. My little sister had a similar book when she was a kid, of the LIttle Mermaid.
Delete