A TALE DARK & GRIMM

Johnny Heller’s voice is an instant portal to the fairytale world of the Grimm brothers, whose bleak stories are known to be far more brutal than the varnished versions prevalent in many children’s books. Author Adam Gidwitz then goes several steps further into scariness. Heller’s portrayals of the evil characters are suitably sinister, and the good are sweet without being simpering. We follow Hansel and Gretel through connected narratives that feature spine-tingling antagonists, including adults who behead children or eat them or turn them into birds. Best of all is Heller’s snarky, intrusive narrator, who warns of the horrifying events to come under the guise of protecting young listeners, further engaging children (and their parents), who greet the darkness gladly. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2012 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2011]