Stephen King and Maurice Sendak Reimagine Hansel and Gretel in a Darkly Stunning Picture Book

Step into the eerie, enchanting world of Hansel and Gretel like never before in this extraordinary new picture book—an unforgettable collaboration between two titans of storytelling: Stephen King and Maurice Sendak.

Arriving this September 2025, is a richly illustrated picture book adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, featuring prose by Stephen King and visual elements drawn from the late Maurice Sendak’s original set and costume designs for the 1997 opera production of the classic fairy tale. The opera, composed by 19th-century musician Engelbert Humperdinck, inspired Sendak’s hauntingly beautiful visual interpretations, which now find new life in this unique literary collaboration.

This timeless Grimm fairy tale—the chilling journey of two courageous children who are lost in a shadowy, menacing forest—has been masterfully reimagined. King, the internationally bestselling and award-winning author known for delving into the darkness beneath the surface of everyday life, brings his signature storytelling prowess to the text. Paired with the visionary set and costume designs of the late Maurice Sendak, legendary creator of Where the Wild Things Are and recipient of the Caldecott Medal, this edition offers the most daring and deliciously dark retelling yet.

With a deeply personal introduction by Stephen King and produced in close collaboration with the Maurice Sendak Foundation, this beautifully crafted volume is more than a book—it’s an immersive experience. Lush illustrations, haunting prose, and a fresh interpretation of a classic tale make this a must-have for fans of King, Sendak, and the Brothers Grimm alike.

In a 1997 behind-the-scenes interview with the producer of the Hansel and Gretel opera, Maurice Sendak reflected on the story’s depth and impact, saying, “Hansel and Gretel is the most profound of all the Grimm fairy tales. Most of the Grimm stories center on brave children, but Hansel and Gretel are the bravest of them all. It’s the hardest story in the world, and people shy away from it—yet it’s endured because it speaks such a deep truth.” (Quoted in The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to the Present by Tony Kushner)

For King, the project held a special resonance. He was drawn to the tale’s compelling contrast between its cheerful surface and the sinister truths lurking beneath. “It has a sunny exterior, a dark and terrible centre, and brave, resourceful children,” King remarked. That dynamic felt familiar to him—throughout his storied career, he has often explored narratives where courageous young protagonists confront unimaginable horrors. In many ways, this retelling of Hansel and Gretel aligns perfectly with the themes that have long defined his work.

“When I was approached about writing a new interpretation of Hansel and Gretel—one that would loosely align with the set and costume designs Maurice Sendak created for Humperdinck’s opera—I was intrigued,” said Stephen King. “But it wasn’t until I actually saw Maurice’s illustrations that I knew I had to try. Two images especially struck me: one showed the witch flying on her broomstick with a sack full of kidnapped children trailing behind her; the other depicted the iconic candy house transforming into a monstrous, grotesque face. I thought, That’s it—that’s what the house really is: a devil bloated with sin, revealing its true self only when the children’s backs are turned. That image captured the core of the story for me—and really, the core of all fairy tales: a cheerful surface hiding a dark, terrible truth, and children who must find the courage to survive. In many ways, I’ve been writing about kids like Hansel and Gretel my whole career.”

Stephen King rarely lifts fairy tales directly, but their narrative architecture and thematic devices are deeply embedded in his storytelling. Many of his early works echo the structure and moral underpinnings of classic folklore. For instance, novels like Carrie and Thinner can be seen as modern-day cautionary tales rooted in the tradition of “morality-based supernatural revenge,” where characters are punished—often grotesquely—for their flaws or transgressions. Similarly, stories such as Pet Sematary and “Sometimes They Come Back” are essentially Faustian in nature, revolving around dangerous bargains with forces beyond human understanding. While King may not retell fairy tales in a literal sense, he instinctively taps into their archetypal power—using familiar motifs like hubris, retribution, temptation, and the price of forbidden knowledge—to craft stories that feel both timeless and terrifying.

This extraordinary picture book creates a powerful and haunting dialogue between Maurice Sendak, Stephen King, and the Brothers Grimm—melding generations, artistic styles, and transcending even the divide between life and death. Sendak’s visionary illustrations are brought to life anew through King’s compelling prose, while the ageless spirit of the Grimm brothers resonates throughout, grounding the story in its classic origins. It’s a rare literary fusion that feels both timeless and urgently fresh—a must-have for fans of both creators and lovers of dark, imaginative storytelling.