The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin has been a difficult story book to find in a version that satisfies the needs of my soon to be 4 yr old. He is too young for the original text versions, at the same time the one from 'silver penny books' was too condensed/simple and not good in content. So after a couple of returns, I ordered this book hoping this would be the one and I think it is. This is a simplified yet definitely not an over simplified version. This is the English translation of a German book. The illustrations are nice but they are too soft toned that they look faded, I wish they were a little bolder and brighter. It looks like this book is not in print any more but the used copy I received looks brand new.Over all, a decent rendition of pied piper story for the 4-6 age group. 6+ yrs children can try the original text versions, this may be too simple from 2nd grade and above.

Nicely illustrated but the story lands with a thud. The little lame boy who couldn't keep up has been changed to the little boy who goes home for his coat. Because it isn't polite to mention a physical difference. It ends with weird sermonizing, unnecessary since the story itself says everything that needs to be said.