Will Moses

Perhaps one of the more serious of Grimm's fairytales, this time rendered with lovely folk art type images, the age old story continues to have the possibility of instilling nightmares into children.

The five major characters are a weak, easily led father, a dominant and abusive step mother, a wicked witch with an appetite for cannibalism, and two children who refuse to stay victimized.

When the last crumb of bread is nearing, the wicked step mother convinces the father to abandon his children show more in the woods. Hansel finds a way to get he and his sister back home. Once again, they are taken to the woods and left there, perhaps to die.

Finding a gingerbread abode decorated with plentiful candies, the hungry children eat away to their heart's content. When the witch discovers them, she takes them inside. Imprisoning Hansel in a cage, she tries to feed him so he can be plump enough to eat. Gretel continually gives the near blind witch a bone to fool her into believing Hansel is not ready to be devoured.

Pushing the witch into the fire enables the children to be free, and once again to find their way back home. The wicked step mother is dead and the father embraces the children.

I've always struggled with this fairy tale. Women are portrayed as dominant and prone to kill children, while the father is merely noted as helpless and at the mercy of his wife. Why children continue to return repeatedly to the place where they were neglected, is beyond logic.

The children are strong and great problem solvers, while the father is not able to care enough for his children so he can stand up to the step mother.

Problematic at best, this is dark and nasty. I need to understand the Grimm brothers more to see how their minds worked. show less

I had a love/hate feeling with this book. On one hand, the several stories give information to many stories and take you on mini adventures but this may draw focus from diving into just one story. Little red riding hood, Rumplestiltskin, Snow White, Puss in boots, and Beauty and the beast are stories that need to be given their own times and books to truly grasp the beauty of the works. This collection provides a little information to how and why fairy tales are written and allows you to show more poke your toes in the water. You can hear the general plot of each story. This book reminded me much of the Netflix series Once Upon a time where many fairy tales are told at one time. Moses says at the end of this book something I felt but could never quite put into words, I will hold this dear for the rest of my life: " I believe these stories are popular because they cleverly reflect upon the core fabric of who we are as people; our uncertainties and strength; our fear of loss, of hunger; our worries about money, love, death, danger, and abandonment; but they also provide life lessons about the rewards of optimism, determination, strength of character, and the belief that no matter how hard times may get, if you just keep moving you will come out okay. " I could have never stated this so well. This book made me realize again just what reading is really for enjoyment and to feel safe and included in the unity of the world. show less

Most children in America will grow up learning the rhyme or the song about Mary and her little lamb, but few will give it any serious thought. We may similarly prattle about Old King Cole, Wee Willie Winkie, or Jack Sprat, but we don't expect to know anything more about them than their propensities for pipe smoking and music, late night excursions in inappropriate clothing and a distaste for high-fat diets.

Luckily for children, however, we can know a little more about Mary and her little show more lamb. Will Moses' detailed folkart paintings (many double-spreads), are a perfect accompaniment to the true story of Mary Sawyer of Sterling, Massachusetts, circa 1810. The pastoral images of 19th century Sterling and the simple features of the one-room schoolhouse are beautifully rendered in colorful oils. The story is somewhat lengthy, but Moses employs artistic license to add story enriching details that create a fast-paced, enjoyable read-aloud story. Delightful in words and pictures!

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Have you ever wondered how someone can be “in a pickle” when pickles are so small, or why mothers say you’re “on thin ice” even when you’re indoors? Are you perplexed that your father “brings home the bacon” but is a strict vegetarian? Will Moses has the answers, and sheds light not only on these idioms but dozens more with Raining Cats and Dogs.
Using his trademark folk-art style, Moses infuses a sense of mischief and humor into these often puzzling phrases, educating show more readers while entertaining them. show less