ParentsPick

Hansel and Gretel — Content Guide for Parents

By Stephen KingHarperCollins Publishers2025-09-02ISBN 978006264469548 pages
Hansel and Gretel

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Religious themes

Not found

Racial/cultural contentProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

An Instant #1 Indie Bestseller!

The haunting tale of two brave children lost in a dark and dangerous forest is reimagined by literary legends Stephen King and Maurice Sendak in an all-new picture book.

Let Stephen King, global bestselling and award-winning author of The Long Walk, and Maurice Sendak, beloved creator of the Caldecott Medal-winning Where the Wild Things Are," guide you into the most deliciously daring rendition of the classic Grimm fairy tale yet. But will you find your way back out?

With a personal introduction from Stephen King, the beautiful book has been created in close collaboration with The Maurice Sendak Foundation. This stunning storybook makes the perfect gift for fans of King, Sendak, and the Brothers Grimm.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Hansel and Gretel appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The narrative includes elements of child endangerment and the threat of being eaten by a witch, which can be considered violent themes. The book is described as having fresh horrors that align with Stephen King's style, suggesting a level of intensity that may be unsettling for younger readers. The book contains elements that could be considered scary, such as the presence of a child-stealing witch and the children’s perilous situation. The narrative is described as a horror retelling, which suggests an atmosphere of tension and fear appropriate for older children.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have violence?

    The narrative includes elements of child endangerment and the threat of being eaten by a witch, which can be considered violent themes. The book is described as having fresh horrors that align with Stephen King's style, suggesting a level of intensity that may be unsettling for younger readers.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have scary content?

    The book contains elements that could be considered scary, such as the presence of a child-stealing witch and the children’s perilous situation. The narrative is described as a horror retelling, which suggests an atmosphere of tension and fear appropriate for older children.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have religious themes?

    The book touches on themes of hypocrisy and the lies people tell in the name of religion, as indicated by references to the characters' motivations and actions. However, it does not delve deeply into specific religious practices or beliefs.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have racial/cultural content?

    Race is not a central theme or plot point in the book. The narrative focuses on the fairy tale elements and does not engage with racial issues or themes.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have profanity?

    No profanity is mentioned in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of strong language within the narrative.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have climate change?

    There are no themes related to climate change or environmentalism present in the book. The narrative centers on the fairy tale plot without addressing climate issues.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have sexual identity?

    No sexual content is present in the book itself. Search results reference adaptations that include sexual elements, but these do not reflect the content of King's retelling.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have gender roles?

    While the character of Gretel is portrayed as self-assured and empowered, the book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The focus remains on the fairy tale narrative rather than on gender dynamics.

  • Does Hansel and Gretel have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the book 'Hansel and Gretel' by Stephen King. Search results primarily discuss adaptations and other works by Stephen King, which do not pertain to this specific book.