Hank and Gertie: A Pioneer Hansel and Gretel Story by Eric A. Kimmel

 


"Gertie felt scared but also spittin’ mad. 
No witch was gonna barbecue her brother! Not if she could help it."

Bibliography:
Kimmel, Eric A. 2018. Hank and Gertie: A Pioneer Hansel and Gretel Story. Illustrated by Mara Penny. Berkeley, CA: WestWinds Press. ISBN: 9781513261232

Plot Summary:
Hank and Gertie is a retelling of the traditional literary tale Hansel and Gretel. In this version, Hank and Gertie are pioneers out west traveling on the Oregon Trail. During their trip, the wagon master has the group rest and recover. Hank and Gertie decide to explore the rest stop area promising their mother they will not get lost. However, as the siblings walk into the canyon, they realize that their biscuit crumb trail has been eaten by birds. The siblings continue walking through the canyon when they discover a house made out of candy. They soon realize that the house belongs to a frightening old woman named Aunt Caroline, who informs the children that their wagon train has ventured forth without them. Hank's mind is set on candy, so Aunt Caroline lets him eat as much as he wants. On the other hand, Gertie quickly gets on the old woman's wicked side and is forced to sleep outside in the corral. As the days go on, Hank lives a luxurious life full of good food and comfortable bedding, growing plumper by the day. Meanwhile, Gertie is shackled outside and ordered to move heavy rocks. As Gertie continues to work, she wonders if Hank has been placed under a spell by Aunt Caroline, who is growing more and more suspicious of being a witch. Finally, Gertie confronts Aunt Caroline about being a witch and uses her wit to outsmart the old woman. She finds her brother, and the two ride in a magical flying kettle back to their wagon, which had been there the entire time. Their mother greets them happily, wondering where they have been, a long story to be told after Hank eats first. 

Critical Analysis:
Hank and Gertie by Eric A Kimmel is a fun modern twist of the Hansel and Gretel folktale. The illustrations perfectly depict western pioneer life as artist Mara Penny captures the homestead setting with realistic representation highlighted in bright colors, detailed patterns, and rich textures. The artwork complements this unique story, which is easily recognizable and familiar with the original tale. Kimmel's ability to recreate traditional literature is sensational. Hank, Gertie, and Aunt Caroline are dynamic characters that fit the traditional archetypes of good versus evil. Gertie is especially a strong character who creates the modern twist into a folkloric reimagination by displaying lead female characteristics. Meanwhile, Aunt Caroline represents similarities of the classic universal witch from Hansel and Gretel stories told over the years. 

The adventurous story moves the plot in sequential order from the introduction to the resolution. The conflict begins right away when the kids find the candy house and meet Aunt Caroline. Parts of the story were exaggerated, such as the magical flying kettle and limitations on Gertie's food. However, the conflict and resolution were crucial to the plot, which resolved the crisis and produced a satisfying ending. The author's voice shapes the realistic nature of western life as Kimmel writes the story in culturally specific tones. For example, Kimmel conveys Gertie's anger with the description of "spittin' mad" and outlines the food in specific details like buffalo hump. The story accurately presents a cultural depiction of pioneer customs, especially with language and the illustrations of food, nature, and clothing. However, there could have been more representation of ethnicities since many people traveled the Oregon Trail. 

Overall, the theme of good triumphing over evil is a universal message found within classic Hansel and Gretel stories, and the tale of Hank and Gertie does not disappoint. Readers of all ages will recognize similarities and differences from the initial folktale but will appreciate a new kind of story altogether. 

Review Excerpts:
From Booklist, "Penny beautifully illustrates this story in a dusty palette . . . a closing author’s note gives insight into how Kimmel reconfigured the story for the Oregon Trail setting, which makes the book appropriate for classroom discussions. Overall, this is a gentle, familiar read that isn’t too dark and scary."

From Children's Bookwatch, "Bringing a wonderfully entertaining and modern interpretation of a classic children's fairytale, it is wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."

From Kirkus Reviews, "Kimmel proves yet again that folk- and fairy tales still make for great picture-book fodder. . . The illustrations shine when displaying the magnificent array of foods―duff pudding with maple cream sauce, fried chicken, hoecakes, and more."

From The Oregonian, "Portland author Eric A. Kimmel transplants a familiar fairy tale to the Oregon Trail in 'Hank & Gertie: A Pioneer Hansel & Gretel Story.' Illustrator Mara Penny pulls off images that feel both vintage and modern in a perfect complement to Kimmel’s instantly engaging prose. Especially fun are the pages featuring the witch’s menus for fattening up Hank."

Connections:
  • Read aloud the traditional story of Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm: Grimms' Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm. Ask the children in the audience to compare and contrast the original story with Hank and Gertie. How was it different? How was the story similar? Which tale did everyone prefer? Why?
  • Tour: If you are near the Austin, Texas area, plan a trip to Pioneer Farms, a living history museum. Librarians, make sure to get parental permission or chaperones if you plan this trip with patrons or students! Website here: Pioneer Farms
  • If you are not near this part of town, try a virtual experience with Historic Oregon City's End of the Oregon Trail: Historic Oregon City.
Read more traditional tales retold by Eric A. Kimmel:
  • Kimmel, Eric A. The Gingerbread Man. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd. ISBN: 9780823408245
  • Kimmel, Eric A. Jack and the Giant Barbecue. Illustrated by John Manders. ISBN: 9780761461289
  • Kimmel, Eric A. Little Red Hot. Illustrated by Laura Huliska Beith. ISBN: 9781477816387
  • Kimmel, Eric A. The Three Little Tamales. Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. ISBN: 9780761455196 (also listed in my blog post for The Three Pigs!) 
Discover more Hansel and Gretel adaptations:
  • Isadora, Rachel. Hansel and Gretel. ISBN: 9780399250286
  • Loewen, Nancy. Trust Me, Hansel and Gretel Are Sweet!: The Story of Hansel and Gretel as Told by the Witch (The Other Side of the Story). Illustrated by Janna Rose Bock. ISBN: 9781479586271
  • Nicholson, Sue. Hansel and Gretel's Gingerbread House: A Story About Hope. Illustrated by Laura Brenlla. ISBN: 9780711244795
  • Woollvin, Bethan. Hansel & Gretel. ISBN: 9781509842698
Find children's stories about the Oregon Trail and pioneer life here:
  • Hooks, William H. Pioneer Cat. Illustrated by Charles Robinson. ISBN: 9780394920382
  • Gerrard, Roy. Wagons West! ISBN: 9780374382490
  • Gregory, Josh. If You Were a Kid on the Oregon Trail. Illustrated by Lluis Farre. ISBN: 9780531219706

Extra Content: To Kick Those Boredom Blues

Hank & Gertie storytelling - Read by Eric A. Kimmel!

Watch a history lesson about women on the Oregon Trail from Historic Oregon City's End of the Oregon Trail: 

Check out this video from Austin's Pioneer Farms Living History Museum about spinning and weaving:

Here is another video from Austin's Pioneer Farms Living History Museum about their blacksmith shop!