Master storyteller Stephen King is set to put his own dark and thrilling spin on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Bringing his signature suspenseful touch to the legendary tale, King’s new interpretation will be accompanied by artwork from the late Maurice Sendak, the beloved creator of Where the Wild Things Are. The book is set to be released by HarperCollins Children’s Books on September 2.
Though Sendak passed away in 2012, his haunting illustrations for a Hansel and Gretel opera—where he designed sets and costumes—have found new life in King’s upcoming book. These evocative images were presented to the horror maestro, inspiring him to craft a chilling new version of the age-old tale.
“When I saw the pictures themselves, I resolved to give it a try,” King shared in a press release. He was particularly drawn to two images: one depicting the wicked witch on her broom with a bag of kidnapped children, and another of the infamous candy house transforming into a terrifying face.
“I thought, ‘This is what the house really looks like—a devil sick with sin, revealing its true form only when the children turn their backs.’ That idea captured the essence of the story for me,” King explained. “Fairy tales have a sunny exterior but a dark and terrible center, where brave and resourceful children must fight to survive. In many ways, I’ve been writing about kids like Hansel and Gretel my whole life.”
Maurice Sendak himself once described Hansel and Gretel as “the most profound of all Grimm fairy tales.” In a 1997 interview, he stated, “Hansel and Gretel are the most heroic of them all… It’s the toughest story in the world, and people are afraid of it, yet it’s famous because it’s so truthful.”
With Stephen King’s chilling imagination bringing new life to the timeless, unsettling themes of the story, and Sendak’s haunting illustrations capturing its eerie essence, this reimagining of Hansel and Gretel promises to be a mesmerizing, unforgettable take on a classic.
HarperCollins Children’s Books will publish Stephen King & Maurice Sendak’s Hansel and Gretel on September 2. Whether you’re a fairy tale lover, a horror fan, or simply a devoted King reader, this book is sure to be an intriguing and haunting addition to your collection.
Will you be reading King’s twisted take on Hansel and Gretel? Let us know your thoughts!