Hansel and Gretel: A Fairy Tale with a Down Syndrome Twist

by Jewel Kats, Claudia Marie Lenart (Illustrator)

Overview

Hansel & Gretel: A Fairy Tale with a Down Syndrome Twist is an enchanting tale about how kindness overcomes callousness and leads to a wondrous reward.
This adaptation of the classic Grimms' tale includes the wicked witch and the poor siblings in search of food, but in this case, five-year-old Hansel is a mischievous, yet courageous, boy with Down syndrome.

Young readers will learn that:

Children with Down syndrome are capable and can achieve extraordinary success with determination.

An act of kindness can transform people and the world.

Treating people like family can create a miracle.

People cannot be judged by appearance; a princess or a hero can be hidden within.

Facing a challenge can lead to unimagined rewards.

"I love that this book addresses not only the low expectations that society has of kids with Down syndrome but that the Mother has as well. What a gifted author to see past the diagnosis and tell a magical story of potential and belief!"

--Nancy Gianni, Founder & Gigi's Mom, GiGi's Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

"I find that Jewel Kat's message that someone's disability is not what makes a person, a great one. I like how she portrayed Hansel. He reminded me of my nephew who had Down syndrome-not only someone who was kind but also very smart. I believe it's a great book for every kid to read."

--Janet McNevin, Museum of disABILITY History

"Hansel shines as a courageous boy with incredible determination despite his challenges and succeeds in changing his family's circumstances. This story would help young readers look beyond disabilities and focus on the characters of those who have special needs. Claudia's breathtaking illustrations take this beloved tale to a whole new level. A must read for children of all ages."

--Shaila Abdullah, author, My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy

Learn more at www.JewelKats.com

Book #5 in the Fairy Ability Tales Series

Juvenile Fiction: Social Issues - Special Needs

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615992508
Publisher:	Loving Healing Press
Publication date:	10/04/2014
Pages:	44
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Once a teen runaway, Jewel Kats is now a two-time Mom's Choice Award winner and Gelett Burgess gold medalist. For six years, Jewel penned a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps Howard News Service (USA) and The Halifax Chronicle Herald. She gained this position through The Young People's Press. Her books have been featured in Ability Magazine (USA) twice. She's authored a dozen books-eight are about disabilities. The Museum of disABILITY
History celebrated her work with a two-day event.

Jewel has appeared as an international magazine cover story four times! Recently, her work was featured in an in-depth article published in The Toronto Star. Jewel's work has also appeared as an evening news segment on WKBW-TV and on the pages of The Buffalo News and The Huffington Post. Jewel Kats was the pen name of Michelle Meera Katyal, who passed away in 2016 as the result of complications of surgery.

Please visit her online at www.jewelkats.com

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

One fateful night, a storm ripped through Cottage Country. People — small and large — hid in their basements. Strong, long trees hit the ground under loud claps of thunder. Nothing but lightning bolted through darkness. Fear hung in the air of this once rainbow-kissed secret place.

The rain finally stopped pouring days and days later. Cottage Country was deserted. The only people left were a fisherman and his family.

They had managed all this time with a hidden supply of food. However, now their cupboards were empty. Hunger had crept into their bellies.

"What will I feed our two children?" his wife asked in a quiet, shaking voice.

The fisherman grabbed a large burlap sack. "You needn't worry. I know just what to do," he said and proceeded to call for their children.

Hansel and Gretel soon appeared. Their clothes were terribly worn and torn. Hansel's stomach let out a grumble. Their mother looked down with what appeared to be shame. The fisherman took the burlap sack and went up to his daughter.

"Give me your hand," the fisherman said.

The young girl — no more than nine — opened her calloused palm.

The fisherman placed the sack in her hands. "The future of this family lies with you. I want you to take this sack and go out to the forest and find whatever food you can. Return only when the bag is full."

Hansel twisted his foot. "Can I help?" he asked.

Their mother gasped. She leapt to her feet. She caressed her son's face.

"You're sick, Hansel," his mother began to cry. "You won't be able to help in the least — especially at just five years old."

The fisherman interjected. "You've always been too overprotective of the boy. He's not sick. He has Down syndrome. Let him go out in the world. At the very least, he can keep his sister company."

The children listened to their father and off they went. Both Hansel and Gretel could hear their mother crying as they left. Gretel's heart flip-flopped. So did Hansel's.

"I don't even know where this forest is ..." Gretel grumbled under the massive weight her father had placed on her shoulders.

"That's easy! Follow me," Hansel said. "I used to play under the bushes all the time. Remember how I caught poison ivy there?"

His sister nodded. "Yes, I remember. That's why I was never allowed even to look in that direction. Mamma spent so many weeks tending to your itchy wounds."

Hansel giggled. "She sure did. Mamma gave me lots of kisses, too."

Hansel took the lead. Gretel followed after him. She was huffing, puffing, and losing her breath.

"Would you slow down, Hansel?!" Gretel said with annoyance.

There were heaps of tree branches on the ground everywhere. She had to jump over one after the next.

Hansel got a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Now that Mamma and Papa aren't here, I can do as I please. Nobody is the boss of me."

Gretel brushed hair off her face. "This isn't about who rules the roost. We're here to collect food."

Hansel kicked a pile of pebbles. "I don't see why we can't have a little fun?"

Right then, Hansel took off. He was running at the speed of a soaring kite.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Hansel & Gretel"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Jewel Kats.
Excerpted by permission of Loving Healing Press, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

"I love that this book addresses not only the low expectations that society has of kids with Down syndrome but that the Mother has as well. What a gifted author to see past the diagnosis and tell a magical story of potential and belief!"

--Nancy Gianni, Founder & Gigi's Mom, GiGi's Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

"I find that Jewel Kat's message that someone's disability is not what makes a person, a great one. I like how she portrayed Hansel. He reminded me of my nephew who had Down syndrome-not only someone who was kind but also very smart. I believe it's a great book for every kid to read."

--Janet McNevin, Museum of disABILITY History

"Hansel shines as a courageous boy with incredible determination despite his challenges and succeeds in changing his family's circumstances. This story would help young readers look beyond disabilities and focus on the characters of those who have special needs. Claudia's breathtaking illustrations take this beloved tale to a whole new level. A must read for children of all ages."

--Shaila Abdullah, author, My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy

From the Publisher