Grimm's Fairy Tales, illustrated by Scott McKowen, is an original collection of tales from Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm translated by Lucy Crane. In this collection we find the 52 original tales from the Grimm brothers in all their glory. There are minimal illustrations in this collection and the tales stand out for themselves eliciting a wide range of reactions through their sometimes appalling, fantastic, or mesmerizing stories.
In particular, the story of Aschenputtel has been an inspiration for various other versions with the better known name of Cinderella. In Jakob and Wilhelm's story, Aschenputtel endures the malice of stepmother and sisters after convincing her father to remarry after the death of her beloved mother. When her father takes a trip, her only request for a present is the first twig that strikes his hat. She plants this present at her mother's grave and a tree grows. Throughout the story the tree and the white birds, symbols of hope and peace, answer Ascheputtel's tearful wishes culminating in her attendance at the king's ball.
The spiteful comments of her step-family and the gruesome acts they commit to deceive the prince make this story more appropriate for an older audience. Though a happy ending is found for Aschenputtel, the very birds that were so helpful through her trials exact a retribution on her sisters that is heinous.
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