Detail from the front cover
Hansel and Gretel at home with their father and stepmother
Hansel imprisoned by the witch
I love the detail in this illustration
The little house had walls of real gingerbread, with slabs of sultana cake for tiles on the little roof. The windows were glazed with sugar candy, and raisins and nuts made criss-cross patterns on the gingerbread walls. There were even sugar plums and sweet dates on the front door.
Do you remember listening to “Uncle Mac” on the radio? Or maybe you remember some of the songs from that era. Do you have a favourite?
These are in my top ten - the runaway train, when you come to the end of a lollipop, the big rock candy mountain, how much is that doggy in the window, the yellow rose of Texas, little white duck, a four-legged friend, the deadwood stage, Puff the magic dragon and Nellie the elephant.
Did you ever see such sweet little pigs? Illustration by Barbara C Freeman from the Jack and Jill All Colour Gift Book, 1952.
I love the story of Hansel and Gretel. A house made of gingerbread sounds like a dream come true :) Beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteThese illustrations are really beautiful, for a story I always found to be scary. Barbara J. Freeman has a real talent for making even the witch look good, and animals very endearing. And I know the words to some of the songs you mention because we used to sing them on the bus during school trips somewhere. Haven't thought of them in years.
ReplyDeleteHansel and Gretel is one of my favorite fairy tales!! I love these illustrations. The lebkuchen walls of the house look quite real.
ReplyDeleteThese illustrations are such a lovely style. Even the witch is enchanting. When I was little, I thought Hansel and Gretel was the spookiest of fairy tales. I never got over how the old witch was shoved into the oven.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful version of the story - I love the animals in the illustrations. I was fascinated by this story as a child and it always lends itself to marvellous artwork. I don't know Uncle Mac but I do remember all the songs! (I loved the big rock candy mountain)
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving me another comment about the online mag. That's the 2nd time you have come across one of my posts in something like that. You must bring me good luck!
I am not familiar with Uncle Mac- but he sounds great. Puff the Magic Dragon was a song I sang all the time as a kid. I love the illustrations for this version of Hansel and Gretel. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the tale of Hansel and Gretel. It's always been one of my favorites. I love these illustrations. The witch's cottage is the best one I've seen.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan, I agree...gingerbread is yummy. Thanks for calling in.
ReplyDeleteHello Alex, I hadn't thought about school trips in years – but reading your comment just rekindled lots of memories – some good, some not so great! I think Barbara Freeman is a really talented artist and don’t understand why her work isn’t as collected as other artists from the same period. Thanks for leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteHi there, thanks for calling in and leaving a message. I like Hansel and Gretel too although the witch terrified me when I was a child. I’ve just looked up lebkuchen (German biscuit similar to gingerbread) because I’d not heard the word before. It’s amazing the things I’m learning through blogging. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello Sharon, I had a feeling you would like the artwork it reminded me of some of the things you feature on your blog. I’ve been a fan of Barbara C Freeman for a long time and like you, I love the animals. While reading your comment, I found myself singing the big rock candy mountain!
ReplyDeleteI don’t think its luck. I think it’s because your blog posts are interesting (and pretty and nostalgic) and therefore, people want to share them.
I know just what you mean. The bit about the oven is pretty terrifying, but I somehow managed to gloss over that when I was a child. The story that really frightened me was Little Red Riding Hood.
ReplyDeletePuff the magic dragon is wonderful – they don’t make songs like that any more! Sharon mentioned the big rock candy mountain in her comment, so I’ve been singing that, but I'm on to Puff the magic dragon now – Terry will be pleased!
ReplyDeleteHello Donna, it is a beautiful illustration - it looks good enough to eat!
ReplyDeleteWonderful illustrations!
ReplyDeleteI've found out some of my old Ladybird books for my niece and Mum grabbed some that were being given away at the school she works at.
I dont' remember "Uncle Mac"... Too young maybe? :)
Hello Nikki-ann, it might be nice to hang on to some of the Ladybird books from your childhood, or ask you niece to take good care of them for you. The early ones are very collectable, and I’m sure some of the newer ones will be one day. Glad you liked the illustrations.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable edition of this classic. The drawings are exquisite. The only two of your favourite songs I am familiar with are How much is that doggy in the window, and the yellow rose of Texas. Most of my childhood songs were cowboy songs as I was rasied on a ranch in the Canadian prairies. One of my favourites was You are my Sunshine as my Dad always sang it to me.
ReplyDeleteHello Darlene, I had forgotten the yellow rose of Texas, and you are my sunshine, but as I read your comment, the memories came flooding back. Typing that just reminded me of two more - hang down your head Tom Dooley and Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do. Great songs and happy memories.
ReplyDeleteI don't know of Uncle Mac but I can remember being a bit frightened of the Hansel & Gretal story when I was young but wished I could eat the ginger bread house. I didn't know it had sultana cake for tiles, yummy.
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations are really lovely and those little piggies are adorable.
Hey Michelle, I’m glad you mentioned the little pigs the illustrations are so sweet! I think a lot of children find the story of Hansel and Gretel frightening – and it is when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Hansel & Gretel gave me a conflicting time: first I was so excited by the candy house, then I got spooked by Hansel being fattened up to be eaten by the witch. The traditional illustrations in this edition look very pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt is a scary story, but it does have a happy ending and the pictures in this edition are all very gentle – even the scary ones!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these illustrations! The colors are so rich and lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Angela, I agree! They are quite special.
ReplyDeleteI still have that 1952 Jack and Jill Book, I loved Timothy, Thomas and Little Boy Joe, and Phyllida Phoebe - who kept pigs in the wood.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda It's such a great book! It was one of my favourites when I was little but like most of my books, it was given away or lost over the years. It took me ages to find another (battered) copy, and I love it! Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteONe of my favorite tales. What wonderful illustrations in this version has.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favourites too and I agree about the illustrations. Thanks for your visit.
Deletehow much does this sell for..I have one
ReplyDeleteHello, the copy I had sold for £12.00 but that was some years ago.
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