A review by nahnisbookz
Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann

4.0

When reading a book about children's authors, several mentioned that they had loved Struwwelpeter as a kid. However, they also cautioned against its dated and sometimes abusive subject matter. So, I had to read it myself (in English, not the original German), and found it to be entertaining and at times, ghastly. One kid won't stop sucking his thumb until he meets a horrifying Edward Scissorhands-type character and well...his thumb sucking days are over. Struwwelpeter is reminiscent of our own nursery rhymes with the exception that these are cautionary tales about naughty or thoughtless children and the evils that befall them. Like a collection of mini horror stories, I found myself eagerly awaiting the punishment to befall each child. Sick and twisted, yet told in rhyme, I can see why kids would have loved this one! But would I recommend this for kids? No!This is a work of evil genius.