Struwwelpeter and Other Disturbing Tales for Human Beings 
asked by csean85 on October 31, 2006 1:23 PM
A visually stunning reinterpretation of the fairy tale classic.
Originally written in 1845 by German physician Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894), 'Der Struwwelpeter' reads like a fairy tale breaking loose from a doomed rollercoaster, crashing through a rusty calliope, and finally splashing into the miasmic ooze of Hell-but somehow still managing to float. Mesmerized as a child by the nightmarish prose and haunting images contained in the book, noted author/illustrator Bob Staake (MAD magazine, Cartoon Network, even Hallmark Cards) gives a 21st century spin to these 14 stories-each more politically incorrect than the next. The nastiest things happen to children who disobey the wishes of their parents: thumb suckers have their digits cut off, the pyro-fascinated are set ablaze and, of course, picky eaters rot away and die prematurely. In other words, precisely the type of bedtime stories you'll want to read to a six-year-old, provided it's not your six-year-old. Publishers Weekly calls Staake's illustrations "a stylistic collision of Russian constructivism and pop art that explode with energy and joyous intensity."
Gorgeously designed and illustrated, Staake's Struwwelpeter is sure to spark as many "oooo's" and "ahhhh's" as it does nightmares.
Staake is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 books, including Headlines (written by Jay Leno, illustrated by Staake), The Complete Book Of Caricature and The Complete Book Of Humorous Art (both authored by Staake). The recipient of numerous awards, Staake recently won the National Cartoonist Society's coveted 'Reuben Division Award' as Best Cartoonist in the category of Newspaper Illustration. He has appeared on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, The Family Channel, National Public Radio, CNN and has been interviewed by Time, People, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other national publications.
This is a new BLAB! storybook, a series of graphic novels showcasing artists from Monte Beauchamp's annual BLAB! anthology, presented in a faux-children's book format, though aimed squarely at adults and young adults.
Originally written in 1845 by German physician Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894), 'Der Struwwelpeter' reads like a fairy tale breaking loose from a doomed rollercoaster, crashing through a rusty calliope, and finally splashing into the miasmic ooze of Hell-but somehow still managing to float. Mesmerized as a child by the nightmarish prose and haunting images contained in the book, noted author/illustrator Bob Staake (MAD magazine, Cartoon Network, even Hallmark Cards) gives a 21st century spin to these 14 stories-each more politically incorrect than the next. The nastiest things happen to children who disobey the wishes of their parents: thumb suckers have their digits cut off, the pyro-fascinated are set ablaze and, of course, picky eaters rot away and die prematurely. In other words, precisely the type of bedtime stories you'll want to read to a six-year-old, provided it's not your six-year-old. Publishers Weekly calls Staake's illustrations "a stylistic collision of Russian constructivism and pop art that explode with energy and joyous intensity."
Gorgeously designed and illustrated, Staake's Struwwelpeter is sure to spark as many "oooo's" and "ahhhh's" as it does nightmares.
Staake is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 books, including Headlines (written by Jay Leno, illustrated by Staake), The Complete Book Of Caricature and The Complete Book Of Humorous Art (both authored by Staake). The recipient of numerous awards, Staake recently won the National Cartoonist Society's coveted 'Reuben Division Award' as Best Cartoonist in the category of Newspaper Illustration. He has appeared on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, The Family Channel, National Public Radio, CNN and has been interviewed by Time, People, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other national publications.
This is a new BLAB! storybook, a series of graphic novels showcasing artists from Monte Beauchamp's annual BLAB! anthology, presented in a faux-children's book format, though aimed squarely at adults and young adults.
Reviews
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Folks, I've seen the reviews here and recently in the NY Times saying this book is not for kids. All I can say is that my 4-year-old loves it and makes me read it to her again and again. Maybe some kids will be freaked out, but I urge parents to consider whether their kid might be made of hardier stuff. I think we often underestimate our children -- there is a reason these stories have endured. A little girl gets burned to a cinder playing with matches? What parent would not want their kids to learn this lesson, when it happens in real life all the time! As for the thumb-sucker, perhaps it's just coincidence that my daughter managed to kick this stubborn habit soon after we bought this book! The pictures are fantastic and the stories teach real lessons. Yes, parents should read it and discuss it with their children. But they should not avoid it. I recommend this book as highly as possible.
reviewed by osx on November 22, 2006 9:04 AM
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This is a book for adults. It's a great collection of old children's stories that aren't exactly fit for children today, but it is arranged cleverly as a children's book and beautifully (and creepily) illustrated. If your older child is of the right personality they will get a laugh at it too. Great gift for parents.
reviewed by corral on November 27, 2006 2:48 AM
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Well, duh, you're probably thinking. It should be obvious that this is not for children. I mean, look at the cover. It's creepy and disgusting.
And that's no disrespect to the illustrators; the intention here is to be creepy and disgusting so that a certain husband - who shall remain nameless - won't blindly purchase it for his sweet seven-year-old daughter, who will then proceed to have nightmares of monsters cutting off her thumbs.
"And then there was blood everywhere, just spurting out of my hands, Mommy."
"No, sweetheart, your thumbs are fine."
"BUT I DREAMED IT!"
Etcetera. Etcetera. Etcetera.
To be fair, I usually have a sense of humor about things like this and can appreciate what the book was intended to be. My sense of humor, however, is on strike until I'm no longer suffering from sleep deprivation. So right now, I really, really, really hate this book.
The three stars are in honor of the sense of humor I used to have, and because the copy and illustrations are things I probably would have appreciated laughing over with my kids say, 10 years from now. But if you are a husband considering buying this for your small children, you might want to think again. Please allow my husband to serve as your cautionary tale, because he's not hearing the end of it until I get a full night's sleep, and it looks like that's gonna be a while...
And that's no disrespect to the illustrators; the intention here is to be creepy and disgusting so that a certain husband - who shall remain nameless - won't blindly purchase it for his sweet seven-year-old daughter, who will then proceed to have nightmares of monsters cutting off her thumbs.
"And then there was blood everywhere, just spurting out of my hands, Mommy."
"No, sweetheart, your thumbs are fine."
"BUT I DREAMED IT!"
Etcetera. Etcetera. Etcetera.
To be fair, I usually have a sense of humor about things like this and can appreciate what the book was intended to be. My sense of humor, however, is on strike until I'm no longer suffering from sleep deprivation. So right now, I really, really, really hate this book.
The three stars are in honor of the sense of humor I used to have, and because the copy and illustrations are things I probably would have appreciated laughing over with my kids say, 10 years from now. But if you are a husband considering buying this for your small children, you might want to think again. Please allow my husband to serve as your cautionary tale, because he's not hearing the end of it until I get a full night's sleep, and it looks like that's gonna be a while...
reviewed by sandi on November 27, 2006 2:58 PM
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I am an admirer of Bon Staake's stylized artwork, and this is what drew me to STRUWWELPETER initially. These simultaneously harsh and funny stories originate from 19th century Germany, and are fondly remembered in the U.S. by many German immigrants.
This book's cover provides a good hint as to its contents: It should be pointed out that I have a soft spot for gallow's humor that other adults may not share. As a middle-school teacher and children's book author, I think that having an adult read this book to younger kids in order to process through them would be the most sensible approach. Older kids and adults can just read the stories to themselves!
In fact, this book may be considered by some to be a "children's story for adults." Do you really want a six-year-old to read the story about Pauline playing with matches, or Peter getting his thumbs cut off by the tailor (for sucking on them)? Depends on the six-year-old, I suppose. :) Bravo to Bob Staake for keeping these stories alive, and for his extraordinary illustrations.
This book's cover provides a good hint as to its contents: It should be pointed out that I have a soft spot for gallow's humor that other adults may not share. As a middle-school teacher and children's book author, I think that having an adult read this book to younger kids in order to process through them would be the most sensible approach. Older kids and adults can just read the stories to themselves!
In fact, this book may be considered by some to be a "children's story for adults." Do you really want a six-year-old to read the story about Pauline playing with matches, or Peter getting his thumbs cut off by the tailor (for sucking on them)? Depends on the six-year-old, I suppose. :) Bravo to Bob Staake for keeping these stories alive, and for his extraordinary illustrations.
reviewed by runningscared on November 28, 2006 12:59 AM