Hansel and Gretel is a straightforward retelling with cartoonlike illustrations reminiscent of the Tintin and Asterix comics. The Musicians of Bremen shows a bit more imagination in the retelling, and the stylish illustrations fit the story nicely. The English text is translated from the Spanish adaptations.

Gr 1-3 Two more welcome additions to the series. Hansel and Gretel tells the familiar story of two children who are abandoned by their heartless stepmother and gutless father, taken in by a child-eating witch, and ultimately escape to return home to a happy reunion with their widowed father. Losantos's ink-and-watercolor cartoons in muted colors present a Hansel and Gretel who are charmingly scruffy, a befuddled father who is almost sympathetic, and a tough-looking witch. The Musicians of Bremen concerns four elderly animals who manage to make a home for themselves with the help of their none-too-melodious voices and some superstitious robbers. Montserrat's earth-toned acrylics have an almost linocut look and make excellent and arresting use of form and volume. Though a bit abbreviated, the prose in each story follows classic translations of the Grimms' tales, maintaining cadence and humor. Both titles read aloud beautifully in both the stylish English renditions and in the European Spanish, which may sound a bit exotic to readers or listeners of Latin American extraction. Both books are beautifully laid out and a pleasure to view and share.