Fairy Tales
In college I took a course about Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (read in Middle English—which was oh, so much fun…). One thing that really struck me was learning that in those days acclaim and popularity did not come from creating new stories, but rather from how well one could retell a story. Many of the tales written by Chaucer are his version of stories he knew from other sources like Ovid, Boccaccio, and Petrarch. I was reminded of this as I was searching CLCD for books to include in this new feature about Fairy Tales. Even though I was selecting books published only in the last couple of years there were plenty of titles that kept popping up. It was fun to read the reviews—positive and negative—to see why some reviewers raved and others thought a book had missed the mark.
Whether you prefer traditional European versions, multicultural tales, or the fractured variety, there is no arguing that fairy tales continue to remain popular in all their incarnations. CLCD is an excellent resource when weeding or adding to your fairy tale collection as well as when prepping for a book talk or creating recommending reading lists. Does your library include all the Aesop Prize and Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winners and nominees? CLCD lists them all. Or search "fairy tales" with the qualifier "award winners only." Stories, including a few of my all-time favorites, like Ella Enchanted, The Prince of the Pond, Marcia Brown's Caldecott winning Cinderella, and of course, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales will be found, and ready for you to recommend to delight young minds.
For further information about fairy tales visit:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/index2.html
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/fractured-fairy-tales-30062.html
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/myths-folktales-fairy-tales-grades-k-3
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
The Arabian Nights
Wafa' Tarnowska
In this book, author and translator Wafa' Tarnowska retells the stories of The Thousand and One Nights, or The Arabian Nights in a large, generously illustrated volume that is meant to be a permanent part of a home or library collection. And rightly so, because this ancient collection of tales and fables from Persia, India, and the Arab world has, as Tarnowska writes in her foreword, "become a part of the world's cultural heritage." In them, the bride Shahrazade saves her own life, and that of countless other young women, by telling tales for one thousand and one nights to her new husband, the king Shahriyar. She begins with the tale of Aladdin and his wonderful lamp. For ages eight and older. Reviewer: Teresa Scollon (Foreword Magazine, March/April 2011).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Aesop Prize, 2011 Accolade United States
ISBN: 9781846861222
The Birthday Ball
Lois Lowry
Illustrated by Jules Feiffer
Princess Patricia Priscilla is bored to tears with her privileged and sheltered life. She decides to trade clothes with her chambermaid and pose as a peasant so she can attend school. There, she learns a bit about what life is like for commoners. Meanwhile, her parents are seeking a prospective husband for her from the guest list of her sixteenth birthday ball, but the pickings are slim: Duke Desmond of Dyspepsia, a beastly man who resembles a warthog; Prince Percival of Pustula, who is in love with himself and wears spandex to purposely accentuate his round belly; and the Conjoint Counts of Coagulatia, who share not only certain vital organs but also a crude sense of humor. The princess finds them all revolting, preferring the kind schoolmaster to these distasteful suitors. At the story's climax, even the suitors are somewhat humanized, and the ending is a happy one for many of the characters. This story is pure fun from start to finish, with ghastly descriptions of the horrible noblemen and amusing characterizations of the castle servants. The setting changes from the castle to the schoolhouse to the noblemen's domains with grace and ease, giving the reader interesting glimpses into several ways of life. There is frequent wordplay, especially as the princess rhymes when talking to her cat, Delicious: "Don't be malicious, Delicious" and "It's nutritious, Delicious." The Conjoint Counts' toilet humor may appeal to coarser readers, lending an air of (mild) naughtiness to the tale. Feiffer's line drawings are humorous and apt, mocking the suitors in exaggerated poses and depicting the royal family in all their glory. Lowry's writing is clever enough for both adults and children to enjoy. 2010, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 8 to 13, $16.00. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780547238692
Cinder
Marissa Meyer
Cinder isn't fully human. For reasons unknown to her, Cinder's body was "altered" when she was eleven years-old, so that now she has a steel, mechanical hand and foot; software interlaced throughout her brain; and a heart partially comprised of silicon. Cinder is deeply ashamed of these artificial elements of her body, which place her in the despised social class of a cyborg. She lives in the Eastern Commonwealth, formed after the devastation of World War IV, working as a mechanic and living with her stepmother. Of course, Cinder's stepmother is cruel, and of course, Cinder has two stepsisters. The handsome, unmarried Prince Kai somehow finds Cinder attractive, and begs her to accompany him to the upcoming ball in his honor. Readers know the elements of the story before they open the book. What they do not know until they begin turning the pages of this fable-turned-dystopian-science-fiction novel, is that Meyer's embellishments create a spellbinding story of their own. Cinder's world is comprised of androids (some with surprisingly plucky personalities), a highly infectious plague that causes gross mutilation in victims before their swift death, and the threat of invasion from an evil queen who rules the creatures of the moon. The book will appeal to fans of twisted fairy tales, techno-thrillers, romance novels, and well-plotted suspense. Although the happy ending beckons, the story does not end with the final pages, a welcome promise that Cinder will return with more unimagined chapters in a story as old as time. VOYA CODES: 5Q 5P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2012, Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 400p., $17.99. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Diane Colson (VOYA, December 2011 (Vol. 34, No. 5)).
ISBN: 9780312641894
Cinderella Smith
Stephanie Barden
Illustrated by Diane Goode
Due to her propensity for losing shoes (which began on her way home from the hospital at birth), Josephine-Kathryn Smith has always been known as "Cinderella." When new girl Erin Devlin comes to town, she logically assumes Cinderella's expertise extends to all components of the fairy tale and thus seeks out Cinderella's advice to prepare for the arrival of her potentially wicked new stepsisters. Though Cinderella's actual knowledge is pretty thin, her desire to please Erin encourages her to give the topic a go, and the two girls end up as friends. Cinderella's narration carries this early chapter book, and her upper-elementary woes are perfectly captured in her eager and personable voice. While a pair of friends on a problem-solving mission is hardly novel for the intended readership, Cinderella and Erin's approach to the stepsisters' impending arrival is well crafted and playfully presented (if at times straining credulity a bit). A side plot about Cinderella's dance class and the all-important casting of the Pumpkin Blossom Fairy adds further to the friendship story as well as highlighting Cinderella's plucky personality to great effect. Goode's energetic sketchwork adds to the spirited narrative, showcasing Cinderella and her pals as well as offering occasional spot art. Present this to fans of Pennypacker's Clementine (BCCB 11/06) or McDonald's Judy Moody (BCCB 5/00) who are ready for something new. Review Code: R — Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2011, Harper/HarperCollins, 154p., $14.99. Grades 3-5. Reviewer: Hope Morrison (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June 2011 (Vol. 64, No. 10)).
ISBN: 9780061964237
Fairy Tale Adventure Crafts
Anna Llimos
Fairy tales are as fun to make up as they are to read, so crafters will have everything they need in this volume. From a frog prince and ogre to a witch and a wizard, children will learn how to craft characters from clay, cardboard and tissue paper. The instructions for each project are clear, but leave room for creativity. The accompanying pictures add to the instructions and some finer details will be derived from the pictures. Projects that involve drawing, like the ogre, do not include a template, which would help some crafters, but leaves more room for imagination. Each project is tied together with silly cartoons that come together in the end to make up a story. The final scene is quite impressive and not beyond the patient crafter. The most useful crafts will most likely be the witch's house, which could be any house, and the fairy princess. The clay projects do require self-drying clay and plenty of drying time. Two featured websites will direct readers to other fairy tale crafts, which are even simpler than those presented in the book. Libraries needing more craft books on clay sculpting should consider this book for purchase. 2010, Enslow Elementary/Enslow Publishers, Ages 6 to 10, $22.60. Reviewer: Tiffany Torbeck (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780766037366
Fairly Fairy Tales
Esme Raji Codell
Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
In this fanciful collection, Codell takes six familiar fairy tales, lists three known attributes for each (red hood, wolf, and Grandma for "Little Red Riding Hood"), then throws in a novel element (shampoo), which provides impetus for a fanciful revisioning depicted in the following spread (a wolf getting sudsed up a chair at "Grandma's Beauty Salon" while Grandma paints Little Red's fingernails). It's a great gimmick, and the "what if?" approach to fairy tales offers heaps of potential for classroom projects and discussions as young listeners play around with recognizable stories in new ways. Chavarri's splashy, digitally rendered illustrations are most notable for their attention to detail: the wordless alternative-story spreads are chock full of minutiae that add considerable humor to the simple text. The vibrant compositions are stuffed full of activity, and there is plenty for viewers to pore over; additionally, the layouts carefully balance the intense wordless spreads with airy spot-art sequences that offer lots of white space to rest one's eyes on between imaginative jaunts. This is an excellent and amusing exercise in thinking outside the book that is certain to see lots of action in storytimes and library lessons. Review Code: R — Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2011, Aladdin, 32p., $16.99. Ages 4-7 yrs. Reviewer: Hope Morrison (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2011 (Vol. 64, No. 6)).
ISBN: 9781416990864
Firebird
Saviour Pirotta
Illustrated by Catherine Hyde
In this version of the classic Russian folktale, the bird with feathers of fire is stealing the golden apples from King Vaslav's tree. The king offers a reward for catching him. After Prince Dmitri and Prince Vasili fail, young Prince Ivan, considered foolish, grabs the bird but is left with only a feather. Again the king offers a reward for the capture. And again the two older princes give up and Ivan proceeds. With the help of Gray Wolf, he successfully completes three difficult quests. The last concerns the rescue of Princess Helen. The two fall in love, for a happy ending for them and the firebird. Impressionistic acrylic painting sometimes fill double pages with a romantic aura made more so by areas of gold and copper foil. The visual legend is enhanced by images that offer suggestion rather than explication. As portrayed on the back of the jacket, which differs from the cover, the princess is depicted with just a few lines, while the bird is fully feathered, with shimmering golden highlights. Both are set on a black background amid plant forms and the apples. Until the striking final scene of fiery redness symbolizing the bird's freedom, the scenes are mainly set in black with the characters emerging into action. A note fills in background of the firebird story, noting the hundredth anniversary of the Russian ballet. 2010, Templar Books/Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $18.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Aesop Prize, 2010 Accolade United States
ISBN: 9780763650766
The Flint Heart
John and Katherine Paterson
Illustrated by John Rocco
A heart-shaped amulet fashioned more than five thousand years ago was designed to make the wearer successful in overthrowing the tribal chief. However, no one, except perhaps the Thunder God, knew how far-reaching would be the power of this small token. Greed, rebellion, deception, and general oppression followed in the wake of the flint heart. Even at the death of its owner, the heart stayed strong and, years later, a completely innocent family man with a loving wife and clever children stumbled upon the talisman. Following in the footsteps of his Dartmoor ancestor, Billy Jago, an all-round good chap is transformed into a man who is more feared than loved. Working cooperatively, a fairy king, a German hot water bottle, and the clever and caring Jago children manage with stealth and wisdom to bring their precarious lives back to normal. Retelling the Eden Philpotts' fairy tale with their signature tongue-in-cheek humor, sparkling narration, unique characterization, and ingenious dialogue, the Patersons offer a joyous romp through the English countryside and a fairy world that is utterly believable. This tale promises another triumph for the award-winning author and her husband. 2011, Candlewick Press, Ages 7 to 12, $19.99. Reviewer: Janice DeLong (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780763647124
Goldie and the Three Hares
Margie Palatini
Illustrated by Jack E. Davis
The peace and quiet that Papa Hare, Mama Hare and Little Baby Hare are enjoying is loudly interrupted when Goldie thunderously falls down their rabbit hole while fleeing from the Three Bears. Since her swollen foot is too fat for her to get back up the hole, the hospitable rabbits do all they can to make the intruder feel comfortable. But this demanding diva is difficult to satisfy! The chairs are either too hard or too soft, so she settles herself on the sofa as the harried hares cater to her every whim for pillows just right and blankets not too scratchy or skimpy (actually, she prefers cashmere). She even makes Little Baby Hare stand by the television and adjust his ears for better reception. In a final attempt to get her out of their home, the rabbits serve only healthy snacks. They are dismayed when Goldie loves them. The arrival of Sherman the skunk, who can usually be counted on to clear a room, only provokes Goldie to seek a comfy bed. As a last resort, Baby Hares speed dials The Bears. Goldie—bandaged big foot and all—disappears up the rabbit hole. Here is a fractured fairy tale filled with zany exuberance that will keep readers laughing from beginning to end. Colorful cartoon illustrations bring to life all the nasty outbursts of Goldie and the calm patience of the hare family. Fast-paced, this lively tale will soon become a favorite. 2011, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780061253140
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Amanda Askew
Illustrated by Bruno Merz
The purpose of this new series—"QEB Storytime Classics"—is to assist children with word recognition and increase reading skills by featuring stories familiar to early readers. Askew's retelling of the classic tale is very close to the standard version. Goldilocks is a curly headed, mischievous little girl and the bears in their varying sizes are fuzzy and loveable, especially Baby Bear. Warm watercolors feature a cozy cottage nestled in the woods with an inquisitive little mouse following Goldilocks around. Readers have lots of opportunity to enjoy the visual humor that Merz interjects in his picture. In Papa's very hard bed Goldilocks is seen stretched out flat, only to sink down in the bedding of Mama's overly soft bed. The format of this charming story is certainly appealing but some beginning readers will still need help for the first few times they read it through. There are notes appended to help parents and teachers in using strategies that will insure the most effective use of the book. These include prediction, alternate endings, characteristics of the Bears and Goldilocks, and comparing with similar stories. If the other books in the series are as beautifully illustrated, this will be a series worth having in most primary grade classrooms. 2010, QEB Publishing, Ages 5 to 7, $25.26. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781595667922
The Grimm Legacy
Polly Shulman
Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Rew is the new kid in town, feeling isolated and ignored at her private Manhattan school. Her home life is no better, stuck in a tiny apartment with a stepmother who saves all the chores for her, two stepsisters still sending orders from college, and a formerly loving father who suddenly ignores her very existence. No wonder she feels like Cinderella and chooses to write her big social studies paper on the Brothers Grimm—the catalyst for a new life. Suddenly Elizabeth has a part-time job at the New-York Circulating Material Repository, which happens to house relics from Grimm fairytales. Just as suddenly she collects brand new friends from among her fellow workers: Marc, her school's African American basketball star; Anjoli, the knock out gorgeous Indian girl; Aaron, the darkly mysterious protector of all things Grimm. When Seven League Boots, bottomless boxes, magical cudgels and a mermaid comb get loose—not to mention a griffin and a roc from Hell—Elizabeth is propelled through a carnival of fear, excitement, and, possibly, love. She is no longer lonely, isolated, or bored. It looks like Schulman, bestselling author of Enthusiasm, has another winner. Her gothic-tinged mystery/romance is well written, funny, teen-savvy, and virtually unputdownable. 2010, G. P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Group, Ages 12 up , $16.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2011 Finalist United States
ISBN: 9780399250965
Honestly Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf
Trisha Speed Shaskan
Illustrated by Gerald Guerlais
It seems that the Big Bad Wolf is actually a vegetarian that likes all varieties of apples. One day the very hungry Wolf meets Red Riding Hood in the forest and she looks as delicious as a ripe red apple. With directions to Granny's house he arrives to find the sweet old woman, who reminds him of a Granny Smith apple, and swallows her whole. When Little Red appears the Wolf, in bed in Granny's shawl and night cap, salivates as Little Red admires herself in the mirror. Her eyes are like apple seeds to Wolf, her ears like apple slices, her lips like a Red Delicious apple, and so on until the Wolf cannot help himself (he is a vegetarian after all) and he eats her all up. Bold, flat, full page illustrations show a sharp contrast between the bright red dressed girl and the black leering wolf. It is not as imaginative and clever as the True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka but it could serve as an introduction for a lesson on point of view. In fact a "Think About It" section encourages readers to explore other fairy tales and write their own version. As a one-on-one read it will elicit a few chuckles but will not be memorable but it does have great classroom possibilities. 2012, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 8, $26.65. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-6673-7
ISBN: 978-1-4948-7046-8
Horton Halfpott, or, the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, the Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset
Tom Angleberger
Smugwick Manor with its spires and turrets is the home of the Luggertuck family. M'Lady Luggertuck rules the manor by cutting the staff's salaries and meals. The tightly run household suddenly changes in interesting ways on the day that M'Lady Luggertuck tells Crotty, the maid to not tighten the corset strings. The comfort of the looser corset sets off a series of events. M'Lady is in a better mood such that she agrees to host a ball at the manor so that her nephew may meet the charming Miss Celia Sylan-Smythe. Celia is staying with the Shortleys who live nearby Smugwick Manor. Horton Halfpott is the dishwasher in the Luggertuck household and the protagonist in the story. There is a bit of mystery, intrigue, and laughs in this Victorian era story with the missing Luggertuck heirloom, the shipless pirates, and Horton's Halfpott's predicament. The narration keeps the plot moving. The illustrations are mainly the pictures of the comical cast of characters at the start of each chapter and in the front portion of the book. The story has a Cinderella-like theme with a twist. 2011, Amulet Books/Abrams, Ages 8 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780810997158
King Hugo's Huge Ego
Chris Van Dusen
Jolly rhymes tell a tale of "long ago," when a small king named Hugo thinks very highly of himself. Believing that he is wonderful, he makes his subjects bow to him as he strides cockily by. Every Friday morning, all his subjects must assemble to listen to him speak for hours on his magnificence. One day, as he is driving down the road, a girl named Tessa, carrying a heavy load, blocks his golden coach. She does not want to step aside and bow. So the king orders the coach to bump her off the road. Angry Tessa casts a spell on King Hugo. What happens as his head swells to match his pride makes for very funny consequences and a surprise happy ending. This original fairy tale is brightly painted in gouache on large single and double pages in cartoon style. Much of the humor is in the details: even the sheep kneel as the king drives by and the royal canine wears his own gold crown, while both castle and countryside are all filled with them. 2011, Candlewick Press, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780763650049
Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures
Mary Engelbreit
As Leonard Marcus writes in his introduction to this collection, "Fairy tales are stories . . . that we never really outgrow." Their unforgettable characters, with simple desires and dreams, remain with us all our lives; it is one of life's great pleasures to be able to share them with the generations following. Engelbreit has chosen twelve of her childhood favorites to retell and illustrate in this collection, including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Frog Prince, The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, Rapunzel, Thumbelina, Snow White and Rose Red, Rumpelstiltskin, and Sleeping Beauty. Like so many fairy tales, they explore the themes of love, greed, honesty, loyalty, friendship, and envy. In her author's note, Engelbreit explains that she has revised the tales to reflect a spirit of "dashing adventure" rather than a world in which "marrying a prince is the solution to all of life's problems." The Princess and the Frog become friends; it is the King's advisors who threaten the miller's daughter in Rumpelstiltskin. Yet, she allows Snow White, Beauty and Cinderella to each marry her prince. In other cases, Engelbreit allows magic to intervene to save the day—friendly spirits carries the Little Mermaid away. These abbreviated and altered tellings may work for young listeners, but lack the richness and detail that have made these stories live for centuries. The cheery, bright illustrations are filled with lush colors and lots of details to capture youngsters' attention and imagination. Beginning with the cast of characters introduced on the endpapers, Engelbreit's faces are often humorously expressive, whether they are showing disdain, compassion, or daring. A skull shows up as a ring on the witch in Rapunzel and as a watch worn by the evil queen in Snow White. As might be expected, flowers and animals are pictured in abundance, adding life and richness to each page. Fans of Engelbreit's art will find this a delight; however, those looking for an introductory collection of traditional tales will be disappointed. 2010, Harper/HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 7, $19.99. Reviewer: Peg Glisson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780060885830
Me and You
Anthony Browne
Anthony Browne creatively demonstrates the many ways stories can be told and interpreted, and the many experiences that can coexist in a single place, through this new take on the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" tale. On each two-page spread, Baby Bear tells one side of the story in prose narrative illustrated in full color, while wordless, paneled illustrations showing a blonde-haired girl unfolds in a subdued palette as a visual narrative on the other. Baby Bear's world is one of economic wealth but little affection—his parents are too self-involved to give him much attention. Goldilocks lives in a bleak urban landscape. The two narratives come together as Goldilocks chases a balloon through a the sketchy cityscape, gets lost, and comes upon a large, inviting house full of comforts—warm food, soft chair, cozy bed—belonging to none other than the three bears. The juxtaposition of the contrasting art styles and contrasting experiences supports the idea that multiple perspectives—visual and otherwise—can inform both storytelling and life. CCBC Category: Folklore, Mythology, and Traditional Literature. 2010, Farrar Straus Giroux, 24 pages, $16.99. Ages 4-8. Reviewer: CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2011).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Kate Greenaway Medal, 2011 Shortlist United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780374349080
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Josee Massee
Singer has created a form of poetry called the reverso. Read traditionally down one side of a page, it tells one story. Read in reverse, with only punctuation and capitalization change allowed, it can tell a very different one, "...particularly for telling two sides of one story." The topic here is fairy tales. The verse is free, the words chosen cleverly and carefully to evoke emotion in the telling. Some contrasting tales work better than others, but all are thought provoking as we admire the craft in the creation. Stories told in contrasting verses include "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty" and her prince, "Rapunzel," "The Frog Prince," and "Beauty and the Beast," among others. The split poem occupies one page. On the opposite page is a split picture with one major character opposing another, each in a setting with appropriate content. Characters and content painted in a flat decorative style tell the visual tales in ways that add romantic humor to the verses. Trying to write this kind of poem could be a real challenge to young readers. 2010, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 7 to 12, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cybil Award, 2010 Winner United States
Mind the Gap Award, 2011 Winner Fairest of them all United States
ISBN: 9780525479017
The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece
Anthony L. Manna and Soula Mitakidou
Illustrated by Giselle Potter
"A child becomes an orphan when she loses her mother," goes the Greek saying, and that's precisely what happens to the unnamed heroine in this Greek version of the Cinderella tale. The tale has the familiar elements of stepmother and stepsisters and a handsome prince, but it's Mother Nature who confers the fancy outfits and it's a church service at which the orphan sports them and wins the heart of the prince. When she returns to the church the next week, the wily prince spreads honey and wax on the church's threshold and traps the fleeing orphan's shoe, resulting in the classic fit-the-slipper-to-the-maiden drama. The piquant differences from the Perrault and Grimm Cinderella versions (the orphan also distracts the villagers with gold coins while she escapes and rides a white horse created from a cloud) and the friendly, conversational voice will seem fresh and engaging to young audiences who have been over-saturated with Disney-fied tales. Potter's signature folk art-ish watercolor illustrations are a perfect fit for the folkloric Greek setting and characters, and her black-haired heroine is an appropriately Mediterranean version. Potter is particularly effective at evoking emotion with her images: the spread depicting the orphan receiving her gifts simply radiates joy. This would be a useful for a lesson in comparative literature, as a read aloud, and for storytellers looking for new versions of old tales. It's unfortunate that there's no note, so it's not clear whether this is a traditional Greek version or an original tale that happens to be set in Greece. Review Code: R — Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2011, Schwartz & Wade, 40p.; Reviewed from galleys, $17.99. Ages 5-8 yrs. Reviewer: Jeannette Hulick (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, November 2011 (Vol. 65, No. 3)).
ISBN: 9780375866913
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Roberto Piumini
Illustrated by Mirella Mariani
This children's classic is retold here by a children's author translated from the Italian. Accompanied by retro-looking illustrations, the story relates the plight of the village of Hamelin which is overrun by rats. The mayor of Hamelin promises a reward to anyone who can rid the town of the rats. No one succeeds until a stranger with a silver pipe arrives in town and makes a deal with the mayor to get rid of the rats. The stranger, or pied piper if you will, plays a tune and all the rats follow him to the river and swim away. When the piper tries to collect from the mayor, the mayor simply says, thanks is enough and the town's people agree. The piper, in retaliation, begins to play his pipe and all the children of the village begin to follow him, like rats. He continues playing and marches all of the children out of town never to be seen again. The town's people are saddened but are still too stingy to pay the piper. The story ends here and as with most fairy tales boasts a moral of sorts about keeping one's word. A follow-up group of questions for discussion, a glossary, and some "fun" facts about rats are included. 2011 (orig. 2009), Picture Window, Ages: 6 to 8, $25.32. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-6501-3
Puss in Boots: A Retelling of the Grimm's Fairy Tale
Eric Blair
Illustrated by Todd Ouren
Blair presents a simpler version of a classic Grimm's fairy tale. When a miller dies and leaves his sons all his possessions, the youngest son finds himself with a cat named Puss. Sadly, he realizes that he cannot do much with a cat, but Puss is smarter than anyone realizes. Puss manages to impress the king and tricks him into thinking the miller's son is a Marquis from a far away land. The king asks the miller to marry his daughter and they all live happily ever after. A classic tale, a classic retelling with a classic ending. Fairy tales are at times frightening for younger children. This version is lighter, not as violent, and could be used with younger students when studying different versions of the same story. This tale, as all fairy tales, has been passed down through generations and in each retelling the new writer has interpreted the story in his or her own way, adding or deleting things from the original. This new easy to read version allows for independent reading of the tale which could then evolve into book talks between students as to the correctness of the behaviors of the characters. In another setting would we have seen different results? How might the story have changed if Puss had been caught up in his lies? Fairy tales are classic literature from another time. This one is ready to be shared with a new generation of young readers. 2011, Picture Window Books/Capstone, Ages 3 to 6, $21.32. Reviewer: Kathy Leggett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781404860780
The Red Shoes
Eleri Glass
Illustrated by Ashley Spires
A little girl goes shopping for new shoes with her mother. At the store she finds herself surrounded by towering shelves with hundreds of white and brown laceups and boots. She looks disappointed, when suddenly her eyes are drawn to a pair of red shoes. They call out to her in "ruby whispers, shiny silver giggles." The girl has found what she wanted! Alas, her mother has different plans, and the "shoe lady" gets busy measuring, lacing up and pulling tight to make four pairs in white and brown fit. "Too big, too small, two tired feet, four empty boxes, eight cranky shoes." In the end, however, the girl gets her wish, and that night she goes to bed wearing her magical red shoes. With a few strokes of author Eleri Glass's inspired pen, inanimate objects come to life. She has crafted enchanting phrases and similes which will resound with readers. One can imagine how discouraged our protagonist is when she thinks, "My feet huff and puff like two tired trains." The beckoning red shoes "... are happy apples, waiting to be picked." Illustrator Ashley Spires's watercolour and ink artwork complements the text. Into a conformity of greys and browns intrudes a dab of a different colour: a daring spark of beauty and soaring imagination—the red shoes! The Red Shoes is rare gem that will delight young readers as well as older ones who are still young at heart. Grades 1 to 3. 2008, Simply Read Books, (hc) $16.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Senta Ross (Canadian Children's Book News, Summer 2008 (Vol. 31, No. 3)).
ISBN: 9781894965781
Seriously Cinderella is So Annoying!: The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother
Trisha Speed Shaskan
Illustrated by Gerald Guerlais
A talk-your-ear-off, head-in-the-clouds, compulsive liar, who foists her chores off on others is not what comes to mind when most people think of Cinderella, but most people are not her stepmother. In this story we hear the traditional fairy tale retold in a very non-traditional way: through the eyes of the step mother. The story she tells is not vastly different from the original but it does cause one to rather pity the unwitting prince who seems to have no idea what he is getting himself into. When the narrator first arrives at her new home she is greeted by an extremely chatty "Cindy" and an awful lot of dust. Cindy proceeds to talk herself hoarse, which is why she is forbidden to go to the ball. Young readers who are familiar with the traditional tale will definitely find this version entertaining and designated readers tired of "the same old thing" will find this new spin refreshing. Readers who enjoy a twist on an old favorite are urged to envision other popular stories from a new point of view, and a glossary and additional information page at the back encourage further study. 2012, Picture Window Books/Capstone, Ages 3 to 6, $26.65. Reviewer: Miranda McClain (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-6674-4
ISBN: 978-1-4048-7048-2
Sleeping Beauty
Roberto Piumini
Illustrated by Nicoletta Costa
For many years, the king and queen hoped to have a child. When their wish is finally granted, they throw a feast in honor of their new daughter. As special guests, they include seven fairies. If only they had thought to include eight! An eighth does arrive—and boy, is she ever mad at having been forgotten! She curses the girl to die, at the age of fifteen, after piercing her hand on a spindle. Fortunately, one of the invited fairies has not given a gift yet. She is able to lessen the curse; the beloved princess will not die, but she will still pierce her hand and then sleep for a hundred years until awakened by a prince's kiss. The king tries to remove all the spindles from his kingdom, but he somehow misses one. Predictably, the princess finds it as foretold. She falls asleep and soon the rest of the castle's occupants do, too. All ends well, with a "happily ever after" for the princess and the prince who comes to find her. Piumini includes six "fairy tale follow-up" questions, as well as a glossary and nine "fun facts about royalty." The charm here is in Costa's delightful and pleasing illustrations. This is a book that can be shared with even the most timid child with no fear of nightmares to follow. Readers will enjoy discussing small ways this version varies from other telling they may know. 2009, Picture Window Books/Capstone, Ages 2 to 8, $25.32. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781404864993
Splinters
Kevin Sylvester
Whether you are adding to your Cinderella story collection or looking for a story with a strong female role-model, snap this one up. Author, illustrator, and sports broadcaster Kevin Sylvester has created a winner. Cindy Winters loves to play hockey, but her family can't afford the fees for her to play in a real league. The moral of the story is stated in the only sentence in the entire book set in italics. Hockey leagues cost a lot. Cindy's parents worked hard just to pay the rent and buy food. Cindy was not going to ask them for help - she was determined to get the money herself. It's just like being on the ice, she thought. Sometimes you have to go around all five players to score. In true Cinderella style, Cindy perseveres, overcomes all obstacles (with some help from her fairy goaltender), and wins a place on Coach Prince' team. And of course, like all good fairy tales, this story has the traditional fairy tale ending (with a slight twist). Cindy and Coach Prince knew they were both going to love hockey happily ever after. Sylvester's playful watercolour and pencil illustrations are full of action and emotion, adding just the right amount of detail to support the story line for young readers. Cindy is at different times determined, dejected, and elated, with each change in her hockey hopes. The Blister Sisters (aka the ugly stepsisters) are happily malicious, and Coach Blister is truly menacing. All of the archetypes are cleverly illustrated in this version of Cinderella on ice. Splinters may become a Canadian classic. Highly Recommended. Rating: **** /4. Preschool-grade 3. (This Girl Needs a Miracle....) 2010, Tundra Books, 40 pp., hardcover, $19.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Suzanne Pierson (CM Magazine, June 18, 2010 (Vol. XVI, No. 40)).
ISBN: 9780887769443
Sweetly
Jackson Pearce
Twelve years ago, three Kessel children went walking in the woods leaving a trail of candy behind. Chased by something with wicked yellow eyes, only Gretchen and her older brother Ansel escape. Now that Gretchen is eighteen and their evil stepmother has kicked them out, the siblings are hoping to leave the past behind by leaving Washington and heading as far southeast as possible, which turns out to be Live Oaks, South Carolina. Live Oaks is a small town that is getting smaller every time another teen girl goes missing. Eight girls have disappeared over the past two years, always without a trace and always after Sophia Kelly's Chocolate Festival. But Sophia has been so kind to the Kessels, she could not really be responsible for those missing girls, could she? This is the second, companion book to feature the Fennris, or werewolves, in a re-imagined and modernized fairy tale. They can be read independently but might be best enjoyed in order, beginning with Sisters Red (Little, Brown, 2010/VOYA June 2010), and more books are promised to follow this one. The story starts with a nice dose of spooky mystery, and clues are slowly provided to continue building the drama. It is easy to care what happens to these characters, even when readers are left wondering who is on the right side and who is not. A bit of romance develops for both siblings, but only one of them has chosen wisely. The final fight between good and evil is a little abrupt, and some small details are ignored, but the overall story will still satisfy readers looking for a thrill. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2011, Little Brown, 320p., $17.99. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Stacey Hayman (VOYA, June 2011 (Vol. 34, No. 2)).
ISBN: 9780316068659
A Tale Dark & Grimm
Adam Gidwitz
It used to be that fairy tales were as steeped in gore and mayhem as they were in stark beauty and wisdom. So notes our storyteller, who speaks in direct address to his readers, warning them that the stories they are about to read are of the old style and that scaredy-pants had best leave the room or close the book. Then he proceeds to follow the fates of Hansel and Gretel, who in this version are born to royalty but run away when they learn that their father was happy to behead them to get what he wanted. (Sure, they got their heads back, but still.) They set out in search of better adults, and between a witch that wants to cook and eat them, a man who wishes his own children away in order to keep them, a jolly youngish man who steals girls' souls and chops up their bodies, and a duke who gambles Hansel away to the devil himself, they don't find any. Ah, well; Hansel and Gretel prove as resourceful and brave in these tales as they do in their more familiar one, and while they are saddened by the general state of things, they manage to restore their family and take their place as king and queen. The storytelling here is cunning, with strongly oral prose and witty asides that, while funny, also provide a cross between a warning and a dare that things are about to get gruesome and you might want to stop reading if you're squeamish. The stories themselves are peppered with understated humor as well as well-paced adventure, clever innovations, and plot twists that have the flavor of the traditional stories that inspired them. For readers who are interested in fairy-tale revisions that are funny but not quite parodic, gory but not quite horrible, and that hearken back to a time before Disney, this will be more satisfying than a pig-out at a gingerbread house. Review Code: R — Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2010, Dutton, 256p.; Reviewed from galleys, $16.99. Grades 5-8. Reviewer: Karen Coats (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December 2010 (Vol. 64, No. 4)).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
E.B. White Read Aloud Award, 2011 Honor Book Middle Reader United States
School Library Journal Battle of the Kids' Books, 2011 Nominee United States
ISBN: 9780525423348
There's a Princess in the Palace
Zoe B. Alley
Illustrated by R.W. Alley
Using a comic book format, the Alleys interweave the traditional tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, the Frog Prince, and the Princess and the Pea in the retelling, as in the previous There's a Wolf at the Door. Puns and contemporary wisecracks add to the fun. Dawn, the Sleeping Beauty, turns out to be the irritated, bored daughter of Cinderella and her prince. A handsome prince kisses her awake, but then she sets off to see the world. Frightened in the woods, Dawn becomes Snow White. The Old Woman soon has her eat the fateful apple, but the Handsome Prince arrives to awaken her again. It is their child who has the adventure with the Frog Prince, and their subsequent daughter who sleeps on the pea. The visual story cleverly begins on the front flap of the jacket where, if we pay proper attention, we see a couple of mice hiking in the direction of the story. They appear often, making humorous comments in speech balloons. The comic parodies are set in a variety of scenes in which the brief body of text competes with the illustrations of events and many speech balloons. There are lots of amusing cartoon-y details to enhance the tales, including anachronistic objects like doorbells and alarm clocks to add to the fun. 2010, A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press, Ages 4 to 8, $19.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781596434714
Toads and Diamonds
Heather Tomlinson
Tomlinson (The Swan Maiden) retells the Perrault fairytale of two sisters whose gifts could equally be regarded as blessings and curses. Tomlinson sets the story in a fictionalized kingdom that owes many of its elements to India during the Mughal period. Colorful geography can be found here in plenty, with elephants, mahouts, cobras, temple groves, and the scents of sandal and jasmine. Thankfully, the fantasy outshines the exoticism, so that the overwhelming impression is not of India but of a well-crafted fairytale world. In it, a goddess-worshiping, vegetarian culture is ruled by an austere, meat-eating, monotheistic one, with sisters Diribani and Tana at the center of the story. Each of them encounters the goddess Naghali by the village well, an inciting incident that remains true to the Perrault tale. As a result, Diribani begins to let gems and flowers fall from her lips with every word she utters, while Tana starts to speak with snakes and toads falling from her mouth. The story spins out in third person narrative with the sisters as alternating viewpoint characters. While Diribani is taken to the ladies' court as a guest of the crown, Tana is sent to live by a sacred well. Lush settings, a calendar with animal-named months, a classic premise, ancient stepwells, and a few surprising turns of story combine to make this an interesting addition to the fantasy bookshelf. 2010, Henry Holt/Macmillan, Ages 12 up , $16.99. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2011 Finalist United State
ISBN: 9780805089684
Tom Thumb: A Grimm Graphic Novel
Scott Sonneborn
Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen
Can you imagine being as small as a thumb? Every day would be filled with danger. Such is the life of Tom Thumb. A cat chases him, bread crumbs dropped from the table hit him on the head, and once he is swept up the chimney. Up in the air, he grabs onto a leaf and rides it like a plane. This ride takes him far away from home, where he faces even more serious dangers. His entire world changes once he is away from the safety of his home. He misses his parents very much. But he has no idea where he is or how to get home. Fortunately, he has landed in the kitchen of a king and, while running, fallen into a pie. When he jumps out of the pie and the king sees him, Tom decides to tell him what has happened and how badly he wants to go home again. The king believes him, but with problems of his own can't help right away. Will the story have a happy ending? Have fun reading the book to find out. This story is retold wonderfully. The illustrations are fantastic, and it is a perfect book for both boys and girls. The pictures add much to the story, and the format makes it perfect for a reluctant or beginning reader. At the end of the book, there are pages with additional information about the author of this version, the illustrator, discussion questions, writing prompts, and a glossary. I recommend this book. 2011, Stone Arch Books, Ages 8 to 12, $23.99. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781434225191
The Three Bears: A Folk Tale Classic
Paul Galdone
With whimsical pen and ink drawings, Galdone brings a faithful retelling to the familiar story of the three bears living in the forest. Due to the bears' three sizes, Galdone shows very well the different sizes of bowls, chairs and beds. The size of text font also works nicely for beginning readers. One morning, the bears decide to walk in their woods as their porridge cools. While the bears are away, Goldilocks, a little girl, arrives. Again, Galdone's whimsy with a tooth missing and striped stockings, Goldilocks comes across as a childhood friend rather than some distant fairy tale heroine. She tries to make herself at home by tasting the porridge, trying the chairs and finally falling asleep in Wee Bear's bed. When the bears return, they discover they are not alone in their house. Goldilocks wakes up and runs from the rather startled residents. The story ends with our bears gazing knowingly out their window. This reissue works nicely for story-telling or for young readers. The repetition can also help those learning how to read. While other versions of the story exist, Galdone's remains faithful to the most common retelling, but adds delightful illustrations that can entertain preschool and early elementary readers. 2011 (orig.1972), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 5 to 7, $8.99. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780547370194
Tuesdays at the Castle
Jessica Day George
What a delight to find a princess tale with a strong, smart, brace, and clever princess! Princess Celie of Glower Castle is all of those things, and beloved by her family, but especially by her living, growing castle, for having these traits. Castle Glower is quite a remarkable place since it grows and shrinks and changes at will—it's will—and only Celie seems to be able to communicate with it. Celie; her sister, Lilah; and her brother, Rolf, are left behind when her parents go off to celebrate the wizardly graduation of their oldest brother, Bran. While initially disappointed at being left behind, Celie finds in a mixed blessing when her parents and brother are ambushed and presumed dead, while she and her siblings are left to puzzle out the disappearance and save the kingdom from the clutches of the evil Prince Khelsh. Dastardly Khelsh has underestimated the magical castle's dislike of him and definitely underestimated Celie's cleverness and determination to find her parents alive and save the kingdom. Rolf, a reluctant regent in his father's absence, is a smart foil for Celie. Older sister Lilah, suffering at first from a bad case of maturity, bows to her younger sister's inventive ideas and joins the effort to save castle and kingdom. For readers who aren't quite ready for the romance of Gail Levine's smart fairy tales, but need a jolly adventure with lots of action, excitement, and devious pranks, this book is a certain winner. Princess Celie is an eleven-year-old to be reckoned with and heaven (and Castle Glower) only know what she will be capable of when she reaches the age of twelve. 2011, Bloomsbury Children's Books, Ages 8 to 12, $16.99. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781599906447
The Wager
Donna Jo Napoli
Don Giovanni knows that he is the most handsome youth in Messina, groomed to become one of the most important men in Sicily. He is certain of his own power and beauty, trampling over his servants to ensure his place in society and protect his reputation, until an earthquake and ensuing tidal wave washes away everything he owns and leaves him alone and destitute. The disaster, it turns out, could have been prevented if Don Giovanni had saved any of the three women placed in his path to test him. He is then offered a wager by the devil: he will be given unlimited money in the form of a magic purse which he will be able to keep but he won't be able to wash, change his clothes, or even comb his hair for three years, three months and three days. If he loses the wager or breaks the rules, he will lose his soul. Napoli ably describes the ensuing tribulations Don Giovanni undergoes as he becomes more offensive to be around even as he longs for companionship for the first time in his life. The slow regaining of his fortunes, made possible by the purse, is supplemented by his intelligence, the willingness to learn from his misfortunes, and the gathering of a group of servants and friends who care for him. Napoli's reworking of this Sicilian tale will attract readers of fractured fairy tales as well as fans of historical fiction. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2010, Henry Holt & Company, 272p., $16.99. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Betsy Fraser (VOYA, June 2010 (Vol. 33, No. 2)).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cybil Award, 2010 Finalist United States
ISBN: 9780805087819
When Apples Grew Noses and White Horses Flew: Tales of Ti-Jean
Jan Andrews
Illustrated by Dusan Petricic
And, as anyone who is familiar with their fairy tales and folklore knows, once the third and youngest child is mentioned, the reader understands where the tale will take them. Fortunately for readers of this fine collection of retold traditional French-Canadian tales, the reader goes on three long and episodic journeys along with the reluctant Ti-Jean. Jan Andrews introduces the reader to the everyman qualities of Ti-Jean in a concise and succinct introduction before plunging into the talesthemselves, neither concise nor succinct, but, instead, ringing with a lilt that engages the mouth and ears of the reader from the onset. Ti-Jean's first adventure sees him matching wits with a vain and covetous princess, his second has him in confrontation with a vindictive troll after losing a game of marbles and, in the third tale, he learns to play the fiddle. All three tales involve Ti-Jean's determination, cleverness, strong work ethic and his sense of fair play and humour. Delightfully rendered black and white cartoon-like illustrations add to the sense of frivolity of the retellings. Fully fleshed source notes round out this attractive book and end with Andrews' assertion that "the stories might need the history that is our own." (69) She has amply done just that. Highly Recommended. Rating: **** /4. Grades 3-6. 2011, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, 67 pp., hardcover, $16.95. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Gail de Vos (CM Magazine, May 27, 2011 (Vol. XVII, No. 37)).
ISBN: 9780888999528
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
Lucy Cousins
Clever animals, daring adventures, and gruesome ends for the bad guys pop off the pages of Lucy Cousins' collection of eight beloved fairy tales with the common element of food. The popular author-illustrator applies her characteristic bold art style to retellings of the classics: "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," "The Enormous Turnip," "Henny Penny," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "The Little Red Hen," "The Three Little Pigs," and "The Musicians of Bremen." Though Cousins uses simple language to tell the stories to a younger audience, she manages to convey the wit and wonder of these tales with an admirable economy of language. Her illustrations fill the page with strong lines, vivid colors, and significant events that bring the story to spine-tingling life: the Big Bad Wolf's head sails across the spread when the heroic hunter rescues Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, the hairy troll with his big warty nose as he encounters Big Billy Goat Gruff, a little pig with his pot full of wolf for supper. Though some parents may be squeamish about sharing the unvarnished versions of these fairy tales with youngsters, children will relish the rollicking good time they will have as good triumphs over evil, teamwork is rewarded, and humans are outwitted by animals. The book's large format makes this an ideal read-aloud for story time, and large text occasionally sprawled across the spread will engage curiosity in early literacy experiences. 2009, Candlewick Press, Ages 3 to 7, $18.99. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780763644741
Updated 12/30/11
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