Got goosebumps yet? Immaculate is what this book is perfect and mysterious in every possible, glorious way. Poor Ida, never knowing, hugged the changeling That alone seems enough to give a kid nightmares for life. leaving another child made of ice in her place. The girl is in charge of watching over her baby sister, until one night the goblins come and steal the baby away. Her father is away at sea, and her mother is distant-in-mind at best. I adore this book because it is everything a children's book shouldn't be and yet is. But, that is hardly why I adore this book. The '86 Jim Henson cult favorite Labyrinth stole much from the storyline of this book, and if you look closely enough, you'll see a copy tucked away on the main character's bookshelf in the film. Since my son was one, his heart has belonged to Outside Over There. our little blog shall journey here instead. One of my son's current faves is In the Night Kitchen which is pure genius really, but seeing as I am still featuring spooky titles. ya'll know I am a Sendak junkie, so humor me for a minute. Happy Halloween folks!Īnother one in our top five favorites of all time*.

Perhaps someday soon, my son will grow up just enough to understand the moral here, but until then. For some reason, I always though that moment so wise and tricky, and it made me beam with pride for the little boy and his smarts. I always loved the imagery of Hansel sticking out the chicken bone when the witch wanted to see how fat he'd grow. He's much too thin, but if we feed him well, what a plump, tasty meal he will make. 'Get up, little lazy bones, and cook something for your brother. Then she came back and shook Gretel roughly. There she locked him up and left him, although he shook the bars and screamed loudly to be let out. The wicked witch yanked Hansel out of bed with one bony hand and dragged him off to a cage. Still, as usual, the pictures are excellent and the retelling of this classic tale highly effective in the creeeeeepy department. But maybe three years old is a little too young for this sort of spooky mystery. I rather liked the romance of the children being lost in the woods and finding a candy house and then the outsmarting and ultimate escape. I never had a problem with Hansel and Gretel when I was wee. Whenever I pull it out, the boy turns his head away and screams NO! I bought this book six months ago, and we've only had one reading. Maybe it is the abandonment he has issue with, but me thinks it be the fact that she wants to eat children that freaks him out. Honestly, my boy won't go near this book, so despite the cherub faced cuties and the happy ending, this famous old witch happens to be the most feared literary character in the house.

Joan Walsh Anglund~ Harcourt, Brace & World, 1962

The Aminal by Lorna Balian