Synopses & Reviews
andlt;b andgt;A classic tale of love and acceptance from the Brothers Grimm is beautifully rendered in this magical retelling.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Hans is an unusual boy. Born a hedgehog from the waist up, he knows what itand#8217;s like to truly be an outcast. Even his amazing fiddle playing canand#8217;t help him fit in. So Hans flees to the forest with his herd of loyal pigs and only his music to keep him company. But then a most unusual thing happens: When Hans crosses paths with two kings with two lovely daughters, his luck starts to change. Will this lonely soul find true love after all?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This lively and lyrical retelling of the classic Grimmand#8217;s tale, paired with lush, detailed illustrations, reminds us of the power of music, the importance of belonging, and the transformative effect of love.
Review
* "Hans breaks from old-school fairy-tale renderings as a contemporary character; heand#8217;s cute, comical and soulful. Prickly, a bit funny and a bit dark: classic Grimm, modernized."--andlt;Iandgt;Kirkus Reviews andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;Bandgt;(STARRED)andlt;/Bandgt;
Review
"Coombsand#8217; adaptation is eloquent and intricate, while Nickleand#8217;s richly hued illustrations have a classic flavor and feature varied perspectives, silhouettes, inset cameos, and lighthearted flourishes, like Hansand#8217; challenge in getting dressed. An authorand#8217;s note provides background and story inspirations."--andlt;Iandgt;Booklistandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
andlt;Bandgt;* andlt;/Bandgt;and#8220;In a feat that may astound fairy tale cognoscenti, Coombs and Nickle transform a once-prickly story into something witty and warm. Whether readers know the original, there is joy in watching this plucky Hans triumph.and#8221; and#8211;andlt;Iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/Iandgt;, (andlt;Bandgt;STARRED REVIEW)andlt;/Bandgt;
Review
and#8220;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. Perfect for storytimes and possibly a jumping-off point for age-appropriate discussions about ostracism.and#8221;and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
and#8220;This twisty mash-up of and#8220;The Princess and the Frogand#8221; and and#8220;Beauty and the Beastand#8221; introduces a spirited hero who handles his misfit status well, even if he does resort to a smattering of revenge. Creatures with quills, no matter how sweetly illustrated, are bound to be a bit testy.and#8221;and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;The New York Timesandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
and#8220;A wonderfully imaginative story of loneliness, courage, and ultimately love, this selection is terrific.and#8221;and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;Sarasota Herald-Tribuneandlt;/Iandgt;
Synopsis
A classic tale of love and acceptance from the Brothers Grimm is beautifully rendered in this magical retelling.
Hans is an unusual boy. Born a hedgehog from the waist up, he knows what it's like to truly be an outcast. Even his amazing fiddle playing can't help him fit in. So Hans flees to the forest with his herd of loyal pigs and only his music to keep him company. But then a most unusual thing happens: When Hans crosses paths with two kings with two lovely daughters, his luck starts to change. Will this lonely soul find true love after all?
This lively and lyrical retelling of the classic Grimm's tale, paired with lush, detailed illustrations, reminds us of the power of music, the importance of belonging, and the transformative effect of love.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Kate Coombsandlt;/bandgt; is the author of andlt;iandgt;The Secret-Keeperandlt;/iandgt;. She has worked as an editor and as an English composition teacher at various colleges in Chicago and Los Angeles. She currently teaches in Los Angeles, where she lives.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;bandgt;John Nickleandlt;/bandgt; is the illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Things That Are Most in the Worldandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Never Take a Shark to the Dentistandlt;/iandgt;, both written by Judi Barrett. He is also the author and illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Alphabet Explosionandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;The Ant Bullyandlt;/iandgt;. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.