Hansel and Gretel Standard Edition (Toon Graphics)

Master storyteller Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) plumbs the dark depths of Hansel and Gretel, imagining the pair's mother scheming to abandon them ("Two dead are better than four dead," she tells their father. "That is mathematics, and it is logic") and reveling in the witch's cruelty. "Today, when the oven is hot enough, we will roast your brother," she announces to Gretel. "But do not be sad. I will give you his bones to chew, little one." Italian illustrator Mattotti contributes elegant b&w ink spreads that alternate with spreads of text. His artistry flows from the movement of his brush and the play of light and shadow. The witch's house, tiled with baroque decorations and topped with a graceful tower, is unexpectedly beautiful; light pours through the barley sugar windows. The absence of color is a foil for Gaiman's panoply of words: "gloves and hats of travelers, and coins of cold and of silver, a string of pearls, chains of gold and chains of silver." Gaiman makes the story's horrors feel very real and very human, and Mattotti's artwork is genuinely chilling. Ages 7-10. (Oct.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4 Up--In 1812, the Brothers Grimm published the story of "Hansel and Gretel," about a brother and sister who must survive abandonment by their parents and being captured by a hungry witch. In 2007, Mattotti created compelling black-and-white artwork for the fairy tale. This exhibit inspired Gaiman to write his own version, and Mattotti's images and Gaiman's text are combined in this book. While not in the traditional graphic novel format, this illustrated short story alternates between images and words, allowing for full spreads of the artist's drawings, punctuated by intermittent spreads of text. There is no question that Gaiman is an incredibly gifted wordsmith, and his retelling hearkens back to the Grimms's original narrative. The most inspirational part of this book is Mattotti's artwork. Pitch-black India ink is used to great effect, creating dark and terrifying landscapes that threaten to envelop the tiny figures of the children. An extensive note on the history of the tale's origins is included as back matter. Mattotti's amazing work will inspire a new generation of readers, and this volume will give chills. The oversize deluxe edition features a die-cut cover.--Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

If this isn't the definitive edition of "Hansel and Gretel," it's absolutely necessary. ... The swirling lines look as though they might start moving if seen at just the right moment. The pictures have inspired Gaiman to write some of his most beautiful sentences... Grimm version is as frightening as a bedtime story gets, but this version will scare people in new ways, and some of those people may need to start drawing right away.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Master storyteller Gaiman plumbs the dark depths of Hansel and Gretel... Italian illustrator Mattotti contributes elegant b&w ink spreads that alternate with spreads of text. His artistry flows from the movement of his brush and the play of light and shadow. ... Gaiman makes the story's horrors feel very real and very human, and Mattotti's artwork is genuinely chilling.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
On simple, well-designed pages of just text, Gaiman tells a fairly standard version of Hansel and Gretel. And while the story is unsettling enough on its own, it's Mattotti's full-bleed india ink illustrations that dial up the creep factor. ... Mattotti masterfully and subtly uses negative space so each image isn't immediately noticeable, like the most menacing game of hide-and-seek, and the abrupt oscillation between the clean, white pages of words and the silent, chilling dusky pictures is striking. While this isn't a graphic novel per se, Gaiman's fans and lovers of visual storytelling will devour this eerie version of a classic.
—Booklist
There is no question that Gaiman is an incredibly gifted wordsmith, and his retelling hearkens back to the Grimms's original narrative. The most inspirational part of this book is Mattotti's artwork. Pitch-black India ink is used to great effect, creating dark and terrifying landscapes that threaten to envelop the tiny figures of the children. An extensive note on the history of the tale's origins is included as back matter. Mattotti's amazing work will inspire a new generation of readers, and this volume will give chills.
—School Library Journal
I love Gaiman's and Mattotti's Hansel & Gretel. The writing is rich. ("They went so deep into the old forest that the sunlight was stained green by the leaves.") And the art is striking. I have never seen a more chill-inducing rendition of the witch's gingerbread cottage. I swear it looks like there's a skull atop it.
—Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Some books you're excited about because you like the author and you know what to expect. Others are exciting because you like the author and you have no idea what to expect. That's the case with this TOON Books version of Hansel & Gretel written by Neil Gaiman.
—Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes