Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)For Christmas, in lieu of an advent calender (we couldn't find one we liked amidst the police, pirates, and unicorns), we bought our kids two of these fairy tale sets -- which we plan to package somewhat like the advent calenders, doling out an item or two per day.
We also purchased the 'Snow White' set alongside this one - which definitely has, out-of-the-box, some more entertaining items.
However, I like this set a great deal just based on the concept - and on my fondness for the story. How rare is it that you find a toy based on a fairy tale that doesn't have some huge ulterior-motive merchandising deal attached to it? I love that this is set based on a story my kids know and love, with characters who are easily identifiable, but are also not so 'tied in' as to usurp all possibility of open, imaginative play.
The Hansel & Gretel Set lost some points on the basis of the sparse accessories. You get a Hansel, Gretel, Father/Woodcutter, Step-Mother, & a Witch in terms of characters (perfect). But the only other accessory of note is the cage in which Hansel is kept (which is true to most of the variations of the story we have). There are some birds, a fern with red-cap toadstools (this is rather unique), a treasure chest full of jewels (these are actually real, smooth, tumbled and polished pieces of quartz and amethyst, etc). It's worth noting that not all the jewels fit in the included chest, only maybe 1/4 of them - or less, perhaps, which I suppose fits with the story. I don't believe the children are able to carry all the jewels back their father's house.
In our variation of Hansel and Gretel, there is mention of a tree they fall asleep under (presumably that which is printed on the background?) but I went ahead and purchased a really cool Playmobil tree to go along with this set, and our books all mention the witch luring the children in with a fine meal and putting them to sleep in great comfortable beds, so I also purchased beds and will scavenge a table from our other accessories for the woodcutter's cottage so it doesn't look so sparse. And that really is my only complaint with this set - most of the scenes look quite sparse with what is provided in the set.
The background is really supposed to be the main prop. It has three sides. The first, an indoor view of the woodcutter's cottage, the second of the place where the children are left in the forest, and the third is an image of the exterior of the little gingerbread house. And I suppose that kids could easily imagine all the rest, but I'm a sucker for the props.
So, all in all, a *nearly* perfect set. Sparse, yes - but ultimately worthwhile with big points for being unusual and unique. I would definitely purchase again based on these factors.
Considering the theme, I think this will be well-received by my fairy-tale loving children, and will make kid of a cool advent calender/story to enjoy during the holidays. I like that it comes with its own book too (this will be the December 1 item to set the stage for the rest of the month).
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This fairy tale playset includes everything you need to recreate the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. It includes Hansel, Gretal, their mother, the woodcutter father, wicked witch, a cage made of wood sticks, a paper diorama which shows the witch's cottage, a forest scene and the inside of Hansel and Gretel's house. There are other little accessories including black cat, bread, birds, gemstones, wicker backpack and water bucket. It also includes a small booklet with the story of Hansel and Gretel.
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