The Bremen Town Musicians

by Lisbeth Zwerger (Illustrator), Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

This is the classic tale of four beleaguered animals—a donkey who can no longer work, a hound who can no longer hunt, a cat who’s too old to chase mice, and a rooster who’s scheduled to become dinner—who decide to run off to be musicians in the town of Bremen. But they get more than they bargained for when they stumble upon a frightful gang of robbers. Maybe they can find a clever way to turn their dreadful singing to their advantage in this wittily illustrated book that’s sure to appeal to Ms. Zwerger’s many fans.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Music, Classics, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Lisbeth Zwerger is an Austrian illustrator of children's books. For her "lasting contribution to children's literature" she received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1990.

Born in Vienna in 1954, she studied at the local Applied Arts Academy from 1971 to 1974. Since the publication of her first illustrated book in 1977, she has worked as a freelance picture book illustrator specializing in fairy tales.

Reviews

[Mikaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot! It was so cute and funny. I liked how each animal felt like their purpose was ending, but when they all got together and worked to be happy, they each turned out to be with each other and not alone!

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so funny that it was sheer delight when I was a child.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

CIP: "While on their way to Bremen, four aging animals who are no longer of any use to their masters find a new home after outwitting a gang of robbers."

A small group of barnyard animals join together after being cast away by their owners with the hopes of making a future as a band of musicians, with unpredictable results. The message of perseverance is subtle but important, and fact that the animals are being cast away by their owners can lead to interesting conversations with youngsters about animals and our throw-away society.

PRW gave this book a favorable review, giving illustrator Zwerger kudos for her beautiful work and translator Bell credit for sticking to the original story. Booklist gives this translation of the folktale a favorable review.

[Kathleen O'Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bremen Town Muscians is a funny story about faith and partnership defeating evil.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob rated 5 stars, Ellie and mom 4 stars. Cute story about the importance of working together.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My great aunt used to read me Brother's Grimm fairytales when I was younger. They used to scare me to no end, especially when I would spend the night in their old creaky farm house afterwards. I found a large collection of Brother's Grimm fairytales at a used book store and purchased them because there was one scene from a story that had stuck with me through the years, but I couldn't recall what it was. After some research I figured the story I was recalling was The Bremen Town Musicians, so I decided to read that one for one of the reading challenge prompts this year.

It was definitely The Bremen Town Musicians that I recall my aunt reading to me. It was a cute story. Not too dark like some of the others, which is probably why that one stuck with me. It was fun jaunt down memory lane.

[Israel Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: traditional fantasy
Grade: Early Primary
This is a very interesting book. The Bremen Town Musicians is a story that teaches us that just because someone is old doesn't mean they are useless and should be killed or ignored. I really like how the plot doesn't end the way you think it would. I thought all the animals would make it to Bremen but instead, they found a place to live where they won't be killed because of their age. I would recommend this.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t what I expected, so I was disappointed. Nice rendition of the old tale of the donkey, rooster, dog, and cat though. I used to find that fable very amusing when I was young.

———

Ce n’était pas quoi à ce que je m’attendais, alors je fut déçu. Mais c’est une jolie rendition de la vielle histoire du baudet, le coq, le chien, et le chat, cependant. Je trouvais cette fables très amusante quand j'étais enfant.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do they KNOW those men were robbers, though?

My husband brought this home to me along with a snow globe with the statue inside. I gather this is a tale children hear a lot of and have a fondness for, and I thought it was charming and funny and darling. I'll read it to our child one day, I hope. :)

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the story of the old animals escaping death to make their own way and then how they pull one over on the robbers.

Has some in common with the fable about blind men and an elephant based on the tale the robber who went back in the house told.

[Jim Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my every christmas time read club. (I had already reached my goal so these are just gravy.

Only four stories this time for the story

The illustrations are remarkable. Elizabeth Zwerger never fails

[Robert Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ass stoke the show.

[The Lady Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Four animals about to be slaughtered by their human traitors, make friends and kick some ass. Then they live happily ever after.

Seriously, out of date and sad if you think about it too much.

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and funny story to bring laughter to students' life, the illustrations are amazing and bring you into the story. A great read for any student who wants a good laugh.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a long while since I last read this...

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

era fácil de adivinar, predecible, but goooddd

[Qinbo Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is easy to read but may have a profound meaning.
It is decided by how you look inside this little story.

[Leslie Kress · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bremen Town Musicians is an engaging story about a group of elderly animals that are no longer wanted by their owners. They run away and stumble upon a house of robbers. The animals prevail and a lesson of team work, perseverance, and vitality emerges. The illustrations are meaningful and well done. I would recommend this book. I think it is engaging for children because the animals beat the bad guys in a rather humorous way. This book would be great for teaching author’s message. I also might use it for a unit on folktales. I think this book could also start some deep discussion, such as how we treat elderly people and even animals.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Bremen Town Musicians
Zwerger, Lisbeth


This is a retelling of the story of the Bremen Town Musicians with beautiful pictures. This is a retelling of a story about finding ones place. With strong indication of  finding a family to belong to. Its the idea of music to connect people whom are represented by the animals. This is a traditional German Folk tale. The book allows children to connect to the original story. 

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still can't quite grasp why my students love this story so. Just like last year, it was a big hit. It seems they really draw out the comedy which is funny since when I read it for Folk & Fairy Tale class, I thought it was boring.

[Zack Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Zwerger's best titles, but nonetheless an engaging and beautiful book. The rendering of the animals is especially well executed: Each beast looks to have seen better days, but Zwerger is able to show there's still the spark of life (and later mischief) beneath the mange.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another version of this classic tale. The start up was actually pretty good, getting the band together. I especially liked the animals riding on each other backs. But then the back half of the story was just okay.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, its one of my favourites by brothers Grimm.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of those tales from the famous Grimm brothers

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I can't believe I've never read this before.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Come on: who doesn't like a story about a random group of animals taking out the bad guys?

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an interesting story. I loved the illustrations and the way the typesetting was printed.

[Megan]

CURRICULUM: RR/Classics

[Phoebe Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so adorable and just triggers so much magic and compassion