What do you think?
Rate this book
Into the Woods
The Tony Award-winning musical, now adapted into a lavishly illustrated book Into the Woods is the imaginative account of what happens when the lives of new and old fairy-tale characters dramatically and humorously come together. Cinderella, Jack (of bean-stalk fame), Little Red Ridinghood, and the Baker and his Wife set out for the forest on a quest to find "happily ever after." Along the way they meet Rapunzel, a Wicked Witch, a lascivious Wolf, vengeful Giants, a couple of charming Princes, and their own destiny. With wit and wisdom, the authors have given us a parable about the loss of innocence, the joys and sorrows of adulthood, and the price paid for getting the things you really want.
96 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2002
1 person is currently reading
290 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 29, 2022
Sondheim and I have a complicated relationship. There are songs and musicals I love. There are at least as many songs and musicals I hate. Into the Woods is one of the musicals I love, containing quite a lot of songs I would love to sing myself one day. So, when one of the prompts in a reading challenge asked me to read a book published in my birth year and I saw the script of into the woods was among those I knew what to read.
Finding that script however? Nightmare. There are loads of high school versions, only including parts of the first act. But finding a full version felt impossible and then I stumbled upon this book. I wasn't aware that it was an adaptation of the script, but I was also a little tired of looking and finding nothing, so I decided to just grab this one, read it and mark the prompt as read. Maybe it's a little cheating, but all is fair in reading challenges, right?
I quite liked how readable this version of the script was and yet it still contained loads of original lines. There were parts of songs included. There were parts of the dialogue included and all of these were connected by little bits of proza describing the scene and emotions of the characters. To make the book even more beautiful a lot of atmospheric drawings were added. In a way this book now truly reads like a fairytale.
There were also pieces of the original text that I really missed. Most of all it were the songs I know things now, On the Steps of the Palance and Giants in the sky. I understand that maybe those songs don't add much to the story, but Agony doesn't either and both the first act and second act version were in there. However, if you're not as looking forward to these songs as I am you might really prefer reading this version instead of the script.
Finding that script however? Nightmare. There are loads of high school versions, only including parts of the first act. But finding a full version felt impossible and then I stumbled upon this book. I wasn't aware that it was an adaptation of the script, but I was also a little tired of looking and finding nothing, so I decided to just grab this one, read it and mark the prompt as read. Maybe it's a little cheating, but all is fair in reading challenges, right?
I quite liked how readable this version of the script was and yet it still contained loads of original lines. There were parts of songs included. There were parts of the dialogue included and all of these were connected by little bits of proza describing the scene and emotions of the characters. To make the book even more beautiful a lot of atmospheric drawings were added. In a way this book now truly reads like a fairytale.
There were also pieces of the original text that I really missed. Most of all it were the songs I know things now, On the Steps of the Palance and Giants in the sky. I understand that maybe those songs don't add much to the story, but Agony doesn't either and both the first act and second act version were in there. However, if you're not as looking forward to these songs as I am you might really prefer reading this version instead of the script.
August 29, 2011
A clever idea that I'm glad someone made happen. As a kid, I'd always wanted the Sondheim/Lapine musical to be redone as a novel or storybook, and Talbotte has done just that, adapting the stage play into a children's book format completely with classic style fairy tale book illustrations and simple narrative. A nice companion piece for parents taking their children to see a production of this classic show and a good library addition for any adult fan of Sondheim's work.
February 13, 2012
I have not read this book in about 15 years, but since that time I have seen the musical on stage and loved that too. I was sooooo in love with this book as a 8 to 12 year old. My mom would even read it to me on long car rides to visit family (I'd get car sick). I need to re-read the book as an adult. I'm sure the humor will come across even stronger. This is the first memory I have of twisted fairy tales and it has lead me to read many other books in that genera.
November 30, 2014
A picture-book adaptation of Into the Woods. An...interesting choice for this kind of treatment, considering the body count and the sophisticated nature of the source material. I like the illustrations--the landscapes more than the portraits. I enjoyed it, but I'd also say it's only for fans of the musical.
March 12, 2024
The pictures in this book are STUNNING, as someone who loves the musical version and classic fairytale books this is a wonderful addition to my collection.
April 15, 2017
Some of the illustrations are a little risqué, and some of the themes are disturbing—discontented marriage (the Baker's wife wishes that a prince would pursue her), lots of lying, etc. But by the end, there's some recognition that not everything is permitted (e.g., the wife's episode with the prince in the woods). Even so, the morality is suspect, with multiple characters saying that one has to decide for oneself what is right or wrong. I wanted to give the book a higher rating, especially because the wordplay and rhyming are fun, the story is a creative blend of fairy tales, and the illustrations are good. But the moral relativity and the momentary unfaithfulness between a married prince and a married baker's wife (even though it's acknowledged by the end that they shouldn't have done what they did and there are consequences for their actions) keep the book from being great for children.
February 2, 2021
I love the musical! It’s my favorite. The story is great, but the music is what really makes it. I can’t complain too much about the book, but if you’re not a fan of the musical, you probably won’t understand/like the book. Some of the illustrations are a bit weird, with stuff that’s obviously not in the play, but I’m glad they kept most things. Basically my point is that if you haven’t seen Into the Woods on stage (you can buy the original show on Amazon or Apple TV, it was filmed during their last year) you won’t appreciate it as much. Not bad, I’ll give credit to Hudson Talbott for not adapting it too bad.
December 20, 2022
Into The Woods
“No matter what you say, children won’t listen. No matter what you know, children won’t listen. Guide them along the way, they still won’t listen. Children can only grow from something you love to something you lose.”
A mash up of several different fairy tales comes together in the woods where right can be wrong, and wrong can be right, but ultimately you are not alone, and in the woods nothing matters.
“No matter what you say, children won’t listen. No matter what you know, children won’t listen. Guide them along the way, they still won’t listen. Children can only grow from something you love to something you lose.”
A mash up of several different fairy tales comes together in the woods where right can be wrong, and wrong can be right, but ultimately you are not alone, and in the woods nothing matters.
January 18, 2015
Before I see the movie, I wanted to the read the book adaptation. I love mash-up up stories of fairy tales. I wasn't too terribly impressed with the story, but I love the message that even though we make decisions individually and we act alone, we are not alone as others will be impacted by those decisions, wise or poor. Life moves forward either way.
August 3, 2021
The good Sondheim adaptation
December 16, 2025
Into the Woods, based on the musical by James Lapine
8.6 out of 10
If musicals and/or children stories are your cup of tea, then you will love this film...assuming of course that you read this note and then look for it.
Otherwise, the merit of the film would rest with the spectacular cast, led by Emily Blunt, nominated for a Golden Globe and other trophies for this role, and the iconic Meryl Streep, shortlisted for the Oscar and other prizes for her performance.
The latter is an impressive Witch - with rather flamboyant blue hair on my screen - that is in conflict with Emily Blunt aka the Baker's Wife and her husband aka James Corden, who also voices the narrator.
In order to annul a spell, The Witch asks The Baker and his Wife to gather four items, a white cow, a special coat among them, or else have a terrible curse set upon them.
All this involves in incursion into other children stories, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and more.
The cocktail is enticing at times, bold and daring in its take, which would often mean that the characters dispute each other and the result contradicts as it sometimes changes details or all the results of the original plots.
Cinderella is Anna Kendrick in this musical and while she follows many of the details of the initial tale, in this new perspective, she would try some other angles.
For instance, if I remember well, the shoes provided by the good fairy in the first place would get stuck on the stairs, as the protagonist walks - sorry, runs - out of the famous ball.
Here, she has a conversation with herself, on the said staircase, meditating on whether she should leave the shoes behind or take them along.
She decides on giving the prince a clue, which he would use as we know, trying for size the women of the village, including the vicious sisters, somewhat amusing here - I especially like Lucy Punch as Lucinda, for the actress is a favorite of mine.
In their effort to avoid disaster, Baker and Wife cross paths with other stories.
He intends to still the coat from Snow White, a girl with more grit, strength and courage here.
It may be argued that she may have reached the point where she is also a little obnoxious, but the result could be arguably considered a more complex, interesting personage.
She meets the infamous Wolf aka Johnny Depp.
It is again a treat to see this outre, accomplished, creative actor,who can be so different as a perso...in real life he seems devoid of charm and a rather annoying figure.
The Baker is essential in stopping the Wolf's plan eat Snow White.
We have the familiar impersonation of the grandmother.
This no nonsense Snow White is ev more firm in rejecting the Wolf's pretensions.
Why do you have such big ears?!
To hear you better!
She does not say oh, come on!
But it is like we hear her and recognize in her the modern version of adolescence.
If not altos entitled, she is the young person of this age, who can face down adversity.
I guess...
For this cinephile, this genre is generally to be avoided, together with Cartoons, Shrecks and Avengers, even if of the latter, I hear that the critics and the record breaking multitudes that went to cinemas have only superlatives to utter.
Having said that, Into the Woods can be a rewarding film, especially if there is nothing else better on HBO, TNT or any of the many film channels that we can browse through today.
8.6 out of 10
If musicals and/or children stories are your cup of tea, then you will love this film...assuming of course that you read this note and then look for it.
Otherwise, the merit of the film would rest with the spectacular cast, led by Emily Blunt, nominated for a Golden Globe and other trophies for this role, and the iconic Meryl Streep, shortlisted for the Oscar and other prizes for her performance.
The latter is an impressive Witch - with rather flamboyant blue hair on my screen - that is in conflict with Emily Blunt aka the Baker's Wife and her husband aka James Corden, who also voices the narrator.
In order to annul a spell, The Witch asks The Baker and his Wife to gather four items, a white cow, a special coat among them, or else have a terrible curse set upon them.
All this involves in incursion into other children stories, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and more.
The cocktail is enticing at times, bold and daring in its take, which would often mean that the characters dispute each other and the result contradicts as it sometimes changes details or all the results of the original plots.
Cinderella is Anna Kendrick in this musical and while she follows many of the details of the initial tale, in this new perspective, she would try some other angles.
For instance, if I remember well, the shoes provided by the good fairy in the first place would get stuck on the stairs, as the protagonist walks - sorry, runs - out of the famous ball.
Here, she has a conversation with herself, on the said staircase, meditating on whether she should leave the shoes behind or take them along.
She decides on giving the prince a clue, which he would use as we know, trying for size the women of the village, including the vicious sisters, somewhat amusing here - I especially like Lucy Punch as Lucinda, for the actress is a favorite of mine.
In their effort to avoid disaster, Baker and Wife cross paths with other stories.
He intends to still the coat from Snow White, a girl with more grit, strength and courage here.
It may be argued that she may have reached the point where she is also a little obnoxious, but the result could be arguably considered a more complex, interesting personage.
She meets the infamous Wolf aka Johnny Depp.
It is again a treat to see this outre, accomplished, creative actor,who can be so different as a perso...in real life he seems devoid of charm and a rather annoying figure.
The Baker is essential in stopping the Wolf's plan eat Snow White.
We have the familiar impersonation of the grandmother.
This no nonsense Snow White is ev more firm in rejecting the Wolf's pretensions.
Why do you have such big ears?!
To hear you better!
She does not say oh, come on!
But it is like we hear her and recognize in her the modern version of adolescence.
If not altos entitled, she is the young person of this age, who can face down adversity.
I guess...
For this cinephile, this genre is generally to be avoided, together with Cartoons, Shrecks and Avengers, even if of the latter, I hear that the critics and the record breaking multitudes that went to cinemas have only superlatives to utter.
Having said that, Into the Woods can be a rewarding film, especially if there is nothing else better on HBO, TNT or any of the many film channels that we can browse through today.
April 2, 2026
The magic, genius, and irony of the musical Into the Woods are beautifully brought to life in a marvelous literary adaptation, enriched with opulent, dreamlike illustrations reminiscent of the classic fairy tale collections that could still be found in children’s bedrooms forty years ago. For those who loved the musical and the more recent film, this book is a precious treasure to cherish.
January 1, 2021
This book has the Most Beautiful illustrations. Every book should be like this. It’s faithful to the musical and movie with also a little bit extra as every good book does.
This is a great storybook for young readers (and older) to enjoy.
This is a great storybook for young readers (and older) to enjoy.
September 12, 2023
Had to add this to my collection that includes the 1776 comic book. Gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations and picks up so many of the perfect moments in the musical but reading lyrics as dialogue always makes me uneasy like the film version of The Phantom of the Opera.
August 29, 2025
I read this because a writing instruction book used it as an example of off-norm plot progression. It was that.
It's a storybook for children, but with adult illustrations and storylines. It tried to give a moral theme, but fell flat. I give it a solid meh.
It's a storybook for children, but with adult illustrations and storylines. It tried to give a moral theme, but fell flat. I give it a solid meh.
April 9, 2020
Good for you to read to your kids who are 4 and up.
January 18, 2022
Charming tale and beautiful illustrations made this a fun read. I remember the day I bought this book but haven't taken the time to enjoy. I will share along the way. For we are never alone.
March 3, 2023
Such a fun read! A cool illustrated storybook version of the musical. Loved it!
December 14, 2023
style: 4 stars
language: 4.5 stars
characters: 4 stars
atmosphere: 3.5 stars
plot: 3.5 stars
themes: 4 stars
allusions/references: 4 stars
enjoyment: 4 stars
overall: 4 stars
language: 4.5 stars
characters: 4 stars
atmosphere: 3.5 stars
plot: 3.5 stars
themes: 4 stars
allusions/references: 4 stars
enjoyment: 4 stars
overall: 4 stars
December 24, 2023
4.5 stars
June 21, 2024
I love *Into the Woods*. What else could you ask for?
May 1, 2025
Obv nowhere near as amazing as the musical, but still a great story, and 100% worth reading if you're a Sondheim fan
July 14, 2016
We had a copy of this which I think I read more often than I rewatched the Great Performances VHS tape of the original Broadway Cast. I don't know that it would make much sense to anyone who hadn't seen the show, but I used it as a way to 'jump' to my favorite part of the show. As an adult, I appreciate that the illustrations riff on but are not exact reproductions of the original set, costume design, or even the appearance of the cast.
November 3, 2016
A picturebook-ization of the Broadway musical, soon to be made into a major motion picture. It's not really a kids' book, because the body count is a bit high for today's sensibilities, although it does kind of fit in with a lot of the original fairy tales, which could get rather grim (sorry, couldn't resist). Short but enjoyable.
robin-and-polly-s
August 3, 2013This is a secret kickass present for the Sondheim fan in your life. It's a really pretty picture book version of the story in the musical -- and so becomes a fairy-tale bedtime story, with the originality and twists of the theater.
April 25, 2018
Pretty, pretty, pretty adaptation of the show, and a fun twist on fairy tales.
Read
March 23, 2012Can't wait to see the show!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews