The renowned master of horror, Stephen King, has surprised the literary world by presenting his new book, intended for children. This is not a typical thriller, but a reimagined version of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel,” which is now available to the public.
“Hansel and Gretel”: A Fresh Take on a Classic
King`s “Hansel and Gretel,” published by HarperCollins, offers a fresh perspective on the well-known story. A special feature of this edition is the inclusion of previously unpublished illustrations by the late Maurice Sendak. Sendak, who passed away in 2012, was the author and illustrator of numerous children`s bestsellers, most famously “Where the Wild Things Are” – a book widely recognized as one of the greatest picture books of all time. This project was realized in collaboration with The Maurice Sendak Foundation.
The recommended reading age for this book is 6-8 years. Thus, children will be able to proudly tell their primary school teachers that they have read a Stephen King book. The book is presented in a traditional format with large pages (approximately 10.5 x 9.5 inches), where illustrations and text are separated: vibrant images occupy most of the left page, while King`s words are formatted like a prose novel on the right.
The Darker Side of Fairy Tales
The original “Hansel and Gretel” fairy tale was published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in 1812 and remains one of the most influential stories in their collection. It`s a fitting choice for Stephen King, given the tale`s darker elements. The story follows two children lost in a forest, which turns out to be home to a witch living in a gingerbread house. Considering the witch`s penchant for cunning schemes, parallels to some characters from King`s own works are inevitably drawn.
Stephen King`s Other Children`s Ventures
“Hansel and Gretel” is not Stephen King`s first children`s book. In 2016, he published “Charlie the Choo-Choo” under the pseudonym Beryl Evans. This unillustrated story first appeared in King`s 1991 novel “The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands.” The standalone, illustrated version of “Charlie the Choo-Choo” is recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.
Recent Works for Adult Readers
For adult readers, King has also recently delivered new works. In May, his novel “Never Flinch” was released to critical acclaim. Furthermore, in August, Gallery Books published an 800-page anthology titled “The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King`s The Stand,” featuring over 30 stories and an introduction by King himself.