Carol North

The classic fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm is retold by Carol North in this Little Golden Book edition, which, as part of the "Golden Super Shape Book" collection, has been cut along the page-edges to approximate the outline of the witch's house. The tale itself, in which the eponymous siblings are abandoned in the forest by their impoverished parents, before finding their way to a witch's house made of eatables, follows the standard trajectory, as the children eventually defeat their show more witchy captor and escape...

Although I do love fairy-tales, this version of Hansel and Gretel is not one that would tempt me to pick it up, in the ordinary course, as the artwork from illustrator Terri Super is just too pastel and cutesy to appeal to me. I ended up tracking it down because it was included in a list of "witchy picture-books," over on goodreads - I have a weakness for such witchy tales - and I was curious. Unfortunately, I was mostly indifferent to it. There's nothing really wrong with the book, and I can see it having appeal, especially for younger children, but the aesthetic style just wasn't to my taste. show less

To the guys on the block, J. T. is the kid who stole the radio out of the red convertible. His mother is bewildered -- "He's just gone bad, that's all... Stealin' and lyin' and I don't know what all." But all the sensitivity, responsibility, and care of which ten-year-old J. T. Gamble is capable emerges when he finds an old, one-eyed, badly hurt alley cat.

I really liked this book for a few different reasons, not just because the tale of Frosty is a classic . The first reason I liked the book is because of the writing. The writing was engaging and organized, flowing in the order of which the story should be told. "Once upon a time there was a snowman named Frosty. The children loved to play with Frosty. They formed a ring and danced around him." Through this piece of text you can see how the story begins to develop and draw readers in. The show more second thing I liked about this story was the illustrations. The illustrations were cartoon like, reminding me of the Frosty the snowman movie. I feel that children would be able to recognize this quickly, thus drawing them in, in wanting to read the book. Lastly, I liked the characters in the story. Frosty was not all that believable since we know there is no such thing as a talking snowman. However, the children who played with Frosty were certainly believable as they danced around him. I also enjoyed reading about the characters friendship and experiences, "'Another time Frosty and the children all piled on a sledding went sledding. "Weeeeeeeeee," said Frosty. "Look at us go!"' All in all, I feel that the 'big idea' of this story is about friendship, having hope, and letting the things you love go. Frosty had to leave at the end of the story because the weather was getting warmer. The children did not cry however, they had hope that they would see him again some day. show less

This book is so positive! Frosty always has a smile on his face. I think this is so much sweeter and happier than the cartoon. Frosty melts and everyone cries in the cartoon. But here, no one is said because we all know he'll be back again. =)