In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches. Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.

Once upon a time a jealous girl stole a magical artifact from a museum to eliminate her competition. In the Rocky Mountains, a man studies a woman raised by wolves, but soon watching won't be enough. Tonight, you might find yourself in a fairy tale of your own. Will you answer magic's call?

Holly Hobbie brings to life a favorite spooky tale from childhood. When a woodcutter and his scheming wife abandon Hansel and Gretel in the forest, all hope is lost until they come upon a cottage made of tasty sweets. But the owner is not the kindly old woman she pretends to be. Can Gretel save Hansel from the clutches of a hungry witch? Holly Hobbie's masterful watercolors reach new heights in this spine-tingling rendition of the tale, faithful to the beloved classic.

This book goes beyond the sauerkraut and knackwurst stereotype to unveil the often overlooked diversity of German cuisine. 170 regional recipes range from classic dishes, such as spaetzle with cheese and sauerbraten to forgotten delicacies like Westfalian pumpernickel pudding. Numerous profiles, anecdotes, and food lore complete the book.

Pity poor Streptococcus - it should be a piece of cake for a fairy godmother to tell the story of Snow White but her wand is bent and things aren't going quite as they should. Then, to make things worse, she's interrupted by a couple of English policemen who are hot on the trail of two very devious and dangerous criminals - children who are causing no end of trouble in the forest. Their names? Hansel and Gretel! Streptococcus doesn't believe a word of it and neither do a well-behaved pair of kiddies in the audience who volunteer to help her tell Hansel and Gretel's familiar tale. But before everyone lives happily ever after, the police insist on having their say and the well-behaved kiddies aren't happy about that at all... Since there are lots of parts (10 for girls, 5 for boys, and 10 for either), everyone gets a role and since a single forest set is all that's needed for this 60 minute show, it's easy to produce. This is a great fun twist on the familiar, favorite tale.

SUMMARY: A poor woodcutter's two children, left in the woods, come upon a gingerbread house inhabited by a wicked witch.