Hansel and Gretel

 

Hansel and Gretel is a traditional book that was originally written by Jacob Grimm, but this version of the story is adapted by Lucy Kincaid. Even though this version did not receive any awards, the original story. by Grimm earned the Randolph Caldecott Medal in 1985. Typically, 3-7 year olds would read this book. 

This story is about two siblings, Hansel and Gretel, who are abandoned in the forest by their parents and suddenly and unfortunately fall into the hands of a cannibalistic woman who lives in a gingerbread house. As the old woman tricks the siblings into entering her home and older brother, Hansel, is almost cooked and eaten by the old woman, the younger sister, Gretel, comes in and outwits the woman and saves Hansel. They then return back home to live happily with their father at the end.

Even though this book is said to be for toddlers and read through 2nd grade, it isn't a book that I would think about introducing to lower-grade children because reading about attempted cannibalism doesn't seem age appropriate for elementary kids.  In my opinion, this book should be introduced starting in the middle grades (6th grade) since these students are starting to mentally mature more and have some understanding of reality. If I was focusing on comparing and contrasting as a unit, I would have my students read another version of Hansel and Gretel, then have them create a Venn diagram and we all discuss the similarities and differences of the two books. I would then have them write those similarities and differences down in the diagram and let them add their own comparisons.