Hansel and Gretel
by
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Resenting the love a father has for his children, a witch creates a famine and forces him into losing his own children in the forest before she disposes of him too.
When Gretel pushes the witch into the oven all her evil spells are broken, the famine departs and the children return home to find their parents alive and well.
This version is richer for the addition of the themes of manipulation, hope and love. The illustrations, both the bright and the brooding, reflect the disturbing plot.
Publisher: Walker Books
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Michael Morpurgo
Children's Laureate 2003-2005
Award-winning children's writer Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. He is the author of many award-winning books for children, including Kensuke's Kingdom, My Friend Walter and Private Peaceful. Many of his books have been successfully adapted for the stage or for film and television including War Horse and Private Peaceful (due to be released in 2012)
As well as writing, Michael runs the charity Farms for City Children with his wife Claire. In 2003 he became the third Children's Laureate (2003-2005), taking on a role he helped to establish together with the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. During his time as laureate he toured extensively, concentrating on sharing the power of stories.
(Credit Richard Cannon)
Reading Age: 8+
Interest level: 6+
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