In a surprising twist, HarperCollins has announced a new version of Hansel and Gretel, reimagined by horror writer Stephen King and brought to life with illustrations by the late Caldecott Medal winner Maurice Sendak. This picture book is set to hit the shelves on September 2, with a simultaneous launch in the U.K. by Hodder Children’s Books.

This fresh take on the classic fairy tale will feature art that Sendak originally created back in 1997 for the set and costumes of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel. This project is happening thanks to a partnership with the Maurice Sendak Foundation, a nonprofit focused on celebrating Sendak’s work and legacy. Lynn Caponera, executive director of the foundation, shared her excitement, saying, “We can’t imagine a more fantastic and fitting collaboration than that of King and Sendak.”

King expressed his excitement when he was asked to create a new spin on Hansel and Gretel, mentioning that he was “intrigued.” After seeing the illustrations, he felt a strong pull to jump into the project. Two images stood out to him: one showing the wicked witch zooming on her broom, carrying a sack of kidnapped kids and another showing the famous candy house transforming into a scary face. He saw this as capturing the heart of the story and fairy tales overall, where a charming exterior hides something dark and eerie, with brave and clever kids taking center stage. He also pointed out that he’s been writing about characters like Hansel and Gretel throughout his career.