Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were born in 1785 and 1786 near Frankfurt, Germany. In their early twenties, they began the linguistic studies that would culminate in their collected editions of folk- and fairy tales. They got their stories from peasants and villagers, and sometimes from already-published works from other cultures. Jacob did much of the research; Wilhelm put the stories into literary form.

"Bernadette Watts' simple retelling and magical illustrations capture the essence of the Brothers Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel"--one of the best-loved folktales in the world. When Hansel and Gretel's evil stepmother sends them into the woods hungry and lost, they stumble on a house made of gingerbread. Little do they know the woman inside is a witch"--