Hans My Hedgehog: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm

In a feat that may astound fairy tale cognoscenti, Coombs (The Runaway Dragon) and Nickle (Never Take a Shark to the Dentist) transform a once-prickly story into something witty and warm. The Grimms' half-boy/half-hedgehog Hans is a shrewd bagpipe player; rejected by his parents, he rides away on a rooster to tend pigs, which he later sends to slaughter. This version's likable Hans is an accomplished fiddler with loving parents, who retreats alone into the woods (riding his rooster and accompanied by attentive hogs). On two occasions, Hans's music helps rescue kings who have become lost in the forest. Assisted by his loyal rooster and pigs, Hans visits each ruler's castle and, on his second try, meets a princess who is willing to marry him (and, perchance, lift his curse, "Beauty and the Beast" style). Nickle's jewel-tone acrylics, painted on parchment-colored backdrops and interspersed with spiky ink-black silhouettes, conjure an Elizabethan ambience. Coombs includes an afterword to highlight her welcome revisions. Whether readers know the original, there is joy in watching this plucky Hans triumph. Ages 5-8. Agent: Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Jan.)

K-Gr 3--This vibrantly illustrated retelling of an obscure fairy tale transforms a boy born with the upper body of a hedgehog from a beastly oddity into a sympathetic protagonist. Hans, a stout figure with fuzzy spines that resemble bushy red hair, takes to the forest when the village children ignore him. There, he rescues two different kings, each of whom promises him a reward. The design of the book evokes the air of traditional fairy tales through the Old English-style font, the parchmentlike texture of the pages, and illustrations that are occasionally framed in darkened ovals to suggest old-fashioned portraits. The narrative retains the tone of classical Grimm stories, but the language, despite some difficult vocabulary words ("rootling," "retinue"), is much more accessible to young readers. Details like the giant red rooster Hans rides or his herd of pigs, whose dancing, cavorting, and mischief-making will amuse readers, suggest a surreal playfulness as he tries to claim his rewards. The frequent use of black in the acrylic artwork--as both a backdrop and in silhouettes--allows the colorful palette to pop in contrast. Unlike the bloodthirsty, vengeful character of the original tale who mutilates the daughter of the king who tricks him, this Hans is easier to identify with: he opts instead to take the dishonest king's gold as payment before marrying the daughter of the second king and becoming human. Perfect for storytimes and possibly a jumping-off point for age-appropriate discussions about ostracism.--Mahnaz Dar, formerly at Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City