The Juniper Tree and Other Tales from Grimm, Vol. II

This 1973 first edition from Farrar, Straus & Giroux represents Volume II of a distinguished two-book boxed set. Translated by Lore Segal with four tales by Randall Jarrell, and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, this collection showcases the collaborative effort of three major figures in children's literature.

The volume contains 27 carefully selected tales from the Brothers Grimm's complete collection of 210 stories. The selection emphasizes the darker, more psychologically complex fairy tales, including "The Juniper Tree," one of the Grimms' most haunting stories about family dysfunction, murder, and supernatural justice. Sendak's illustrations complement the stories' psychological depth with his characteristic blend of whimsy and darkness.

This collection marked a pivotal moment in the American reception of fairy tales, presenting the Grimm stories in their full psychological and cultural complexity rather than sanitized versions. Lore Segal's translation preserved the stories' original power and strangeness, while Sendak's illustrations brought a modern sensibility to ancient narratives. The collaboration between Segal and Sendak influenced how fairy tales were presented to American audiences.

Maurice Sendak chose to collaborate on this project following his success with Where the Wild Things Are, drawn to the psychological depth of the original Grimm tales. The collection's publication coincided with renewed academic interest in folklore and fairy tale studies. Randall Jarrell, the acclaimed poet, contributed translations of four stories shortly before his death, making this one of his final literary works.