Tales from Grimm. ISBN 0-8166-4936-7. Wanda Gag. 1936. Ages 9-12. European peasants and royalty.

Wanda Gag retells classic Grimm folk and fairy tales, from the well-known such as “Hansel and Gretel” and “Cinderella” to lesser-known tales. In these traditional tales, we see princess, princes, witches and magic as well as peasant families and talking animals. Many lessons can be had from Grimm’s tales including but not limited to generosity, kindness, triumph over adversity, and that things are not always as they appear. The pen and ink drawings lend to the prose of these classic tales in their beauty but simplicity. These illustrations are as timeless as the stories themselves.

Folk tales could be used in the classroom in many ways. Students could write their own fairy tales, and, in doing so, learn the characteristics of fairy tales. A teacher could incorporate art by having the students make puppets and perform puppet shows of various folk and fairy tales. Folk tales can also be used to discuss culture by reading and discussing other versions of “Cinderella”, for example. The Korean Cinderella, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, and The Rough-Face Girl are all based on the story of Cinderella but represent cultures other than the European as in the Grimm’s version.

Wanda Gag received the Newbery Honor for Millions of Cats and the ABC Bunny and the Caldecott Honor for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Nothing at All.