The Animal’s Grimm is a collection of eleven fairy-tales in which animals play all the leading roles. From the titles of the short stories, I couldn’t say I recognised any of them, even though most were very old stories, such as the first one ‘The Bremen Town Musicians’ which was first published in 1819 and is about a group of animals that have all become too old to do their jobs, so they have run away to Bremen to become musicians.

Each of the stories is accompanied by beautiful artwork by Susan Varley, some black and white, others in colour. Each complements the story perfectly and look just like watercolour paintings.

The book is truly beautiful, especially with its hardback cover. The stories within would make perfect bedtime reads, long enough to settle a child down but short enough so that you are not reading for hours. If you read just one story a night that is eleven nights of reading within one book, or more if the child wants to hear the story over and over again.

I’m sure some of you will remember some of the stories from your childhood and so will have the added bonus of a trip down memory lane. Fairy-tales are normally filled with hidden messages about life and these are no different.

The Animal’s Grimm has a lovely old-fashioned feel to it and I can see this book making a beautiful present for any young child.

About the Author

Kevin Crossley-Holland is a well-known poet and prize-winning author for children. His books have won the Carnegie Medal, the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal, and the Tir na n-Og Award, and have been translated into over 25 languages worldwide. He lives on the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia with his wife and children.

What did you think of The Animal’s Grimm? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!