Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Grimms Märchen #1

The Brothers Grimm: Illuminated Fairy Tales, Vol. 1

Rate this book
Grimm brothers tales in Polish

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1817

About the author

Jacob Grimm

6,185 books2,046 followers
German philologist and folklorist Jakob Ludwig Karl Grimm in 1822 formulated Grimm's Law, the basis for much of modern comparative linguistics. With his brother Wilhelm Karl Grimm (1786-1859), he collected Germanic folk tales and published them as Grimm's Fairy Tales (1812-1815).

Indo-European stop consonants, represented in Germanic, underwent the regular changes that Grimm's Law describes; this law essentially states that Indo-European p shifted to Germanic f, t shifted to th, and k shifted to h. Indo-European b shifted to Germanic p, d shifted to t, and g shifted to k. Indo-European bh shifted to Germanic b, dh shifted to d, and gh shifted to g.

This jurist and mythologist also authored the monumental German Dictionary and his Deutsche Mythologie .

Adapted from Wikipedia.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,693 (45%)
4 stars
1,183 (31%)
3 stars
638 (17%)
2 stars
153 (4%)
1 star
71 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
Profile Image for Tristy.
723 reviews55 followers
August 31, 2011
I was so ready to read these "original" fairy tales, but in the very thorough and interesting introduction by Jack Zipes, I discovered that the Brothers Grimm re-wrote all the original oral stories they collected from the German people they interviewed. The Brothers added Christian morals, removed all the lusty sex and dis-empowered all the female heroines of the stories. Once knowing this, I could not stomach reading very many of these fairy tales. These may be "original" Brothers Grimm (translated from the original German) but they are not the original pre-Christian stories that are more "authentic," far more interesting and what I am truly interested in. Once again, white men in power re-write the stories of poor women. My search continues for authenticity.
Profile Image for Suhailah.
345 reviews20 followers
August 11, 2022
Before I express how much I loved these 7 Brother Grimm's Fairy Tales, let me first warn/remind everyone how terribly dark, evil, and twisted they are!!

Take Hansel and Gretel for example: the parents wanting to abandon the children in the woods because they were all starving and did not have enough food!

I was very surprised when I read the true original versions of the watered-down stories I grew up watching through Disney adaptations. I was like ah-ha! They get my wicked sense of humor! I absolutely loved it! This book being the Kindle in Motion version made it even better. The imagery was very catchy and beautifully crafted. It was a fun, quick read! Hoping they release more volumes in the future......
Profile Image for aPriL does feral sometimes .
2,039 reviews477 followers
December 19, 2021
I haven't read 'Grimm's Fairy Tales' in years! This ebook, 'The Brothers Grimm' is an Amazon "Kindle in Motion" version offered for a free loan if you have a Prime reading membership. The book only has seven of the 200 Grimm’s fairy tales. However, the stories which were included oddly reminded me of watching TikTok videos in that they suggest the same cultural values...

-Briar Rose
-Hansel and Gretel
-The Juniper Tree
-The Frog Prince
-Cinderella
-The White Snake
-Rapunzel

They are beautifully illustrated, with slight motion added to some elements that are fun to see.

I have copied the cover blurb below:

From “Rapunzel” to “Hansel and Gretel,” Grimm’s Fairy Tales have enchanted readers for generations. This dramatic Kindle in Motion edition presents seven classic stories—each restored to its original version and reimagined with modern digital illustrations.
Each tale is lovingly portrayed by a different artist: Kali Ciesemier’s vibrant colors animate the thorny path of “Briar Rose.” The sinister course of “Hansel and Gretel” takes a twist in the candy hues of Peter Diamond. Daniel Krall’s richly detailed line work shines amid the wickedly dark “The Juniper-Tree.” Nicolas Rix’s charming storybook style delights in “The Frog-Prince or Iron Henry.” Ashley Mackenzie’s golden tones light up the ball in “Cinderella.” Horses, ducks, and birds turn macabre in Wesley Allsbrook’s wildly gestural portrayal of “The White Snake.” And Rapunzel lets down her hair in Rovina Cai’s hauntingly beautiful drawings.
Experience the iconic classics you know and love, lavishly illustrated to breathe new life into age-old tales.


The moral of these tales is:
If you are a beautiful girl and tricky, you will win a Prince and a 💍.
If you rescue 🐴🦆🕊, they will rescue you.
Eat a 🐍 and become a translator of many languages.
Kiss a 🐸 and maybe a forced marriage will work out.
Bury murdered 🧍 under a 🌳 and don't worry, be happy.
Girls with long hair in towers should consider using a🪜.
Fathers are dimwits and 🐈whipped.
Witches shouldn't invite 👫🏼in for dinner. It could be ⚰️.
If you don't invite 🧚‍♀️🧚🏻🧚‍♂️ to your party, they can get really mean.

But the number one lesson:
Stepmothers are 💩.
Profile Image for Mariah Roze.
1,056 reviews1,058 followers
January 11, 2022
"From “Rapunzel” to “Hansel and Gretel,” Grimm’s Fairy Tales have enchanted readers for generations. This dramatic Kindle in Motion edition presents seven classic stories—each restored to its original version and reimagined with modern digital illustrations.

Each tale is lovingly portrayed by a different artist: Kali Ciesemier’s vibrant colors animate the thorny path of “Briar Rose.” The sinister course of “Hansel and Gretel” takes a twist in the candy hues of Peter Diamond. Daniel Krall’s richly detailed line work shines amid the wickedly dark “The Juniper-Tree.” Nicolas Rix’s charming storybook style delights in “The Frog-Prince or Iron Henry.” Ashley Mackenzie’s golden tones light up the ball in “Cinderella.” Horses, ducks, and birds turn macabre in Wesley Allsbrook’s wildly gestural portrayal of “The White Snake.” And Rapunzel lets down her hair in Rovina Cai’s hauntingly beautiful drawings.

Experience the iconic classics you know and love, lavishly illustrated to breathe new life into age-old tales."
Profile Image for Kevin Donato.
176 reviews
November 16, 2023
"The Brothers Grimm Tales" was a captivating voyage into the enchanting yet often dark realm of classic fairytales. Immersing myself in these original renditions was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, evoking the magical essence of childhood bedtime stories. What sets this collection apart is the opportunity to experience these tales in their raw, unadulterated form. The darker and more complex undertones added richness to the narratives, offering a refreshing contrast to the sanitized versions often encountered in more contemporary retellings.

Reading the Brothers Grimm's tales felt like reconnecting with the roots of folklore, rediscovering the timeless allure that has captivated audiences for generations. It wasn't just a literary journey; it was a nostalgic embrace of the stories that have stood the test of time. This collection, with its authentic and occasionally unsettling tales, provided not only an opportunity to delve into the original narratives but also to reflect on the enduring power of storytelling. For those who appreciate the dark and intricate threads woven into the fabric of classic tales, "The Brothers Grimm Tales" offers a rewarding and memorable reading experience, earning a solid 4-star rating.
Profile Image for Mini.
244 reviews5 followers
October 11, 2019
A lovely retelling of classic stories with a twist of moving pictures!
Profile Image for Serpil Çelebi.
Author 8 books10 followers
January 22, 2020
Oldum olası masal kitaplarını severim. Hem bana keyif olsun hemde oğluma okuyayım diye almıştım Grimm Masalları'nı. Fakat 1-2 masaldan sonra ufak çocuklar için çokta uygun kitaplar olmadığı çıktı ortaya. Masallarda çok fazla kan, kötülük, şiddet var. Biri diğerinin gözünü oyuyor. Diğeri ötekini kuyuya atıyor. Anne üvey oğlunun kafasını uçuruyor vs. O yüzden çocuğunuz için alacaksanız önce kendiniz okuyun kitapları ve kesinlikle ufak yaştaki çocuklardan uzak tutun.

Yetişkin bir okur olarak yaklaşımım ise iyi yönde. Hem duyduğumuz, değiştirilmiş versiyonlarını okuyup izlediğimiz masalların orjinal hallerini okumak benim için çok keyifliydi. Ama gerçekten bu kadar vahşetle karşılaşacağımı düşünmemiştim. Masallar genel hatlarıyla çoğunlukla birbirlerine çok benziyorlar. Yani bir masalda cadı olan karakteri diğer masalda kral olarak okuyabiliyorsunuz. Bir masalda balta camken diğer masalda teneke oluyor. Bu da okuma seyrini biraz sıkıcı hale sokuyor ne yazık ki. O yüzden kitabı bir nevi başucu kitabı yapar, uyku öncesi 1-2 masal okuyayım derseniz bence iyi edersiniz. :)
Profile Image for rachelraven.
253 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2008
This is some seriously messed up shit! But I LOVE the book... just don't read it to your 5 year old! Why? Scary step moms who cut off their step kids heads and serve them in stews to their husbands, wizards with bloody basins full of body parts... I mean, the "good guys" always win, but back in that day, if ALL bad guys were dealt with in the ways the Brothers Grimm wrote about it? NO thank you, I'll stay in the 21st Century!!

I have the "All-New Third Edition," which I'm not sure this tag is for...
Profile Image for Alex Pler.
Author 6 books259 followers
January 3, 2020
Qué poco sabemos de verdad de los cuentos clásicos. Lectura sorprendente por descubrir nuevas historias y nuevos detalles de todas esas viejas historias que creía conocer. Magia, ingenuidad y crueldad todo a la vez.
Profile Image for Mandy.
152 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2018
Love the moving illustrations

I really like these Kindle in Motion books.

The illustrations were lovely. I've read these fairytales before, though these weren't the complete tales.

A good book for a child to be read to.
Profile Image for Dani N.
445 reviews62 followers
January 23, 2018
I picked this up for 0.99 on a Kindle Deal. I was a fun, enjoyable experience that added a nice touch of life to some old favorites. However, I was somehow under the impression (or expectation) that Kindle in Motion was something more than this. I am not sure I would be prepared to invest large amounts in the titles, but it was well worth what I gave, for the stories alone. The small snippets of animation were are quaint bonus!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,499 reviews9 followers
February 18, 2019
weird so Goodreads found this Kindle in Motion (if you see one available for the book u wish to read u gotta check it out ... kindle in motion is so genius!! love it!! what fun!!) addition but didn't do that for Wind in the Willows??! odd. what a great ... love this feature! what a great ... love this feature! so so awesome. i am trying to think if i had read this as a child. I did read The Wind in the Willows as well ... love the kindle in motion ... so so awesome!! ( ;
Profile Image for P..
34 reviews
July 5, 2018
Very nicely illustrated (with limited simple animation) select set of Grimm's Fairy Tales. The pictures are beautiful and the brief animation sequences can be replayed if reading on an e-reader device. It's not the complete set, though, so docking 1 star because it could have been even more amazing if it included the full set of tales in one volume.
Profile Image for Tia.
36 reviews
April 4, 2023
We've all heard the fairy tales, or variations. The beauty of this version is the illustrations, some animated and some that aren't. They definitely made the book more enjoyable. It would be interesting to see if all of The Brothers Grimm's stories will be brought to life, or just the few that are in this book
Profile Image for Jane.
484 reviews16 followers
November 6, 2023
Fairy tales at their best

Some of the greatest, from Sleeping Beauty to Cinderella. These are some of the best.
I loved the complete Cinderella story that told how far the sisters went to fit into the shoe.
This book was nostalgic, it reminded me of reading these stories as a kid.
I had a great time and recommend this book to all.
Profile Image for Britta.
Author 2 books36 followers
July 26, 2017
So Kindle in motion, was pretty cool. I wish there was a little more. Add in the Audiobook with it, and it works perfectly. Highly suggest the combo!
Profile Image for Sarah Todd.
63 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2023
Well, did that

Lots of dismembering and people really wanting kids or hating them. It was ok. I guess I read this. The end.
Profile Image for Alicia.
Author 2 books6 followers
November 27, 2020
Interesting take on some of my childhood stories. I never heard of Briar Rose, The White Snake, & The Junipter-Tree.
Profile Image for Rebo.
719 reviews32 followers
July 24, 2023
The motion and the illustrations added a whimsical, pop-up book kind of feel. I think if I had bought this I would have rated it lower, but since I was able to read it for free as part of the kindle borrowing program thing, I didn't mind bumping it up because I enjoyed it so much. I wish there were more stories, since there are only a handful here out of the dozens of Grimm tales available. I guess this was going to be a series but when Amazon abandoned the kindle-in-motion gimmick they must have shelved (ha) this project as well. It's a shame.
Profile Image for Alex Telander.
Author 15 books164 followers
February 1, 2011
If you like fairytales and have always wanted to know where they originate, here’s your chance. For the first time, a complete edition of the fairytales of the Brothers Grimm has been published in paperback form at an affordable price. A handy reference tool, pleasant reading, and a book you can always turn to to read to your kids, all in one!

With an introduction on the Brothers Grimm and this specific translation, the book then launches into the countless fairytales told in their virgin form (warning, this may not only shock minors to hear the truth, but also the grownups). There is a lot more blood and gore in the original tales that have not been Disneyfied for kids. Split into sections of regular tales, “Omitted Tales,” and “Selected Tales from the Annotations of 1856”; this is a true gem to have on one’s shelf. The book features a chivalric cover along with beautiful black and white illustrations throughout the book. It is a present perfect for any avid fairytale lover.

Originally published on March 17th, 2003 ©Alex C. Telander.

For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Profile Image for Giulia.
21 reviews
February 10, 2020
This volume is worth it if you are interested in fairy tales. With Disney's adaptation, we have forgotten that the original Grimm stories are actually way more gruesome. Furthermore, it is interesting to see that those fairy tales, considered "for the house and family" as stated in the introduction -that I absolutely recommend before the read- reflect the morals of the Bavarian/German bourgeoisie of the time, all in an educative purpose, purpose that is filled using folkloric elements as a medium.
I also recommend to read them slowly, taking the time to actually analyze the symbols hidden in plain sight: recurring numbers, names, religious elements etc... only in this way you could really appreciate them, and not feel sick after 10 stories.
Profile Image for Wolf Price.
31 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2009
you can't get any more thorough than this. All the stories, including the omitted tales, with wonderful translations by Zipes, also the introduction about the brothers is extraordinarily informative. Zipes also has several other books on the brothers grimm, covering their lives which are also very good. The best part of this edition, to me, is the back index saying when each tale was collected, and by whom it was told. If your a scholarly type and need to research the tales, this is the one to buy.
Profile Image for Robert Costic.
76 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2013
Although their tales are famous, reading all of the Grimm's tales can become a slog. One begins to see variations on a theme, and after a hundred tales all the ones featuring princes and princesses become a blur, and going through a new tale becomes a recitation of a laundry list of plot points. However, this is always a problem with folk tales as opposed to literary tales, which writers craft with more of an eye toward originality, dramatic effects, and exploration of issues. For someone who wants to know her fairy tales, the Grimms' are essential reading.
Profile Image for Mare.
562 reviews35 followers
June 30, 2020
I bought this book because it was cheap on Kindle, but really as soon as I opened I was amazed by the beauty of the illustrations, the motion added scenes only enhanced the experience of reading these well known fairy tales. I couldn't stop thinking how it was a great gift for younger kids, and get them started on reading since a young age. I remembered my own, when my mom bought these beautiful mini books in which the illustrations let me imagine the world within the story. Loved it, seriously.
Profile Image for Julia.
8 reviews
June 5, 2015
I have previously heard that Grim's fairy tails were a lot more graphic then the fairy tales we read to our children today. When I read Rumpelstiltskin there were not many changes from the original story. The only graphic part came at the end when he tore himself into two pieces. I liked this story, but I think that there are plenty of revised versions of it that could have more meaning when taught to children.
Profile Image for Amanda.
15 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2017
It was a preview of the illustrations that made me buy this book. They are beautiful! I was intrigued by the kindle in motion concept and how the illustrations would be incorporated. This was my first experience with kindle in motion and I enjoyed it very much. It reminded me of children's pop up books with the moveable parts. The stories of course were classics and I appreciated the illustrations were also.
Profile Image for Martha Elena.
356 reviews35 followers
May 19, 2021
Este fue el segundo libro que compré haya por el 2014 mas o menos, estuve ahorrando durante semanas porque al no trabajar (solo me dedicaba a estudiar) no tenia ninguna fuente de ingresos, pero creo que mi esfuerzo valió la pena porque pude conocer varias cuentos que me transportaron a un mundo de fantasía donde los seres mágicos existen, así como las maldiciones y las brujas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.