CINDERELLA'S NOT SO MEAN STEPSISTER

The popular fairytale, Cinderella, is retold with a fun twist. In this version, Cinderella has three stepsisters. The two are as mean and cruel as the original version but one stepsister, Gertie, is very kind, sweet, and helpful with the house chores. Ironically in this adaptation, Cinderella is lazy and not very nice.

When Gertie is invited to the Ball, her mother does not let her go because she is an embarrassment to the family. She does not live up to their family reputation of being mean and evil. Throughout her training, Gertie meets different fairytale characters and has trouble being mean. What is Gertie to do? She really wants to go to the Ball but doesn’t want to be mean like the rest of her family. Will the Fairy Godmother come to her rescue? Will Cinderella go to the Ball? Will Prince Charming finally find his princess?

Cinderella’s Stepsister and the Big Bad Wolf by Lorraine Carey, illustrated by Migy Blanco, is a great read-aloud. With references to other fairytales, the twist in this adaptation can be amusing to readers, especially if they are familiar with the other stories. Great read for grades K-2^nd. 

A NEW FAR OUT GRAPHIC SERIES...UMMM... NEW COMIC BOOKS

A new contender to enter the chaotic foray of graphic novels is a series of amazing fractured fairy tales by many different authors and illustrators.  

Red Riding Hood, Superhero:  a Graphic Novel by Otis Frampton

When Red Riding Hood (RRH) visited Area 54 some years ago, a very frightened alien threw his magical red cape at her giving the young girl extraordinary powers such as laser-ray vision and super strength. In this action-packed version, Grandma is no helpless elderly lady but the president of the United States, RRH is empowered, her mom is still clueless and our canine villain, Professor Grimm,built himself a giant wolf robot in order to kidnap the president while trying to also rid himself of the awesome superhero. This fractured tale is has a great layout and fantastic illustrations.  

Reviewed by Cecile 

In Ninja-rella by Joey Comeau and illustrated by Omar Lozano, the expected path for the trod-upon title orphan gets turned on its head. Her stepmother and stepsisters are still evil and self-serving, but instead of having starry-eyed aspirations of marrying the prince, Ninja-rella dreams of protecting him with her fierce ninja skills. And when her fairy godninja sends her to the royal ball with a special glass katana sword, she finally gets her chance. But when she must flee at midnight, she leaves the glass sword behind--the only clue by which the prince might find his new royal bodyguard. This twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella, is a empowering and action-packed story, sure to make readers cheer for the katana-wielding heroine.

Reviewed by Meghan

Super Billy Goats Gruff: a Graphic Novel by Sean Tulien; illustrated by Fernando Cano

In a retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Sean Tulien, two squabbling billy goats and their mediating brother embark on an unexpected journey when they consume three mysterious mushrooms en route to their favorite grassy hillside. Unbeknownst to the hungry goats, these curiously pixelated, Minecraft-styled mushrooms endow super powers, transforming them into the Ninja-Goat, Wizard-Goat, and Warrior-Goat. Transported to a grim landscape where a dark castle awaits them, the new Super Billy Goats Gruff must battle their way through a trove of video gaming references, including giant directional arrows, diverging paths, mysterious doors, magical monsters, boss fights, and power ups. It’s a wacky, action-packed, fractured fairy tale, graphic novel, multiplayer video game kind of adventure, where the winner is crowned the fattest goat of all time.
Reviewed by Sherry

Also check out Snow White and the Seven Robots where everyone in Techworld is green skinned except for Snow White, who with her white skin, red lips, black hair and seven additional virtues is the smartest of of them all for which she has been exiled to another world far from the ruling queen.

Each entry in the Far Out Fairy Tales graphic novel series include some excellent backmatter to communicate information in a highly entertaining way, including an explanation of the origins of the tale, a quick rundown of the twists seen in this version, a glossary, and a set of “visual questions” meant to show story comprehension and analysis in the graphic format.

Any one of these tales will make lively and engaging reads for kids in 3rd grade and up.

REFORMED FAIRY TALE VILLAINS?

OUR MISSION:  TO TURN WICKED DELINQUENTS AND FORMER VILLAINS INTO FUTURE HEROES.  

Can "baddies" really be reformed?
All is not as it seems at Fairy Tale Reform School just outside of Enchantasia where the teachers are former fairy tale villains and the new student, Gillian, knows something strange is happening.
Flunked is new a fast-paced fantasy adventure for 4th-6th grader readers by Jen Calonita.  

NINJAS!!!!!!

Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz and illustrated by Dan Santat is a whole mess of asian stuff thrown together in the story but somehow with Santat's illustrations I just had fun reading it.  It's very reminiscent of their previous collaboration of The Three Ninja Pigs.

This visually packed story about a boy practicing to be a ninja in his home where there's danger at every turn (napping father) is a fun read for all ages. Ninja! by Arree Chung definitely understands that every child has wanted to  be a ninja or at least thought about being one at some point in their life.

For ages 3 and older.

NEVER AFTER CONTINUED

After Raven Queen decided not to sign the Storybook of Legends, Ever After High has been turned upside down.  It's Rebels vs. Royals, with Raven leading the rebels and Apple White leading the Royals, but neither of them can seem to get the two groups talking and getting along again.  That is, until they all have a cause to unite behind when Madeline Hatter gets into trouble and might be expelled out of Ever After High - forever!  Can Raven and Apple bring the school back together?  Can they reconcile their own differences?  Will Raven's mom, the Evil Queen make an appearance in her mirror and wreck havoc?  Find out in Shannon Hale's second installment of Ever After High, The Unfairest of Them All for kids in grades 6-8.

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

At Ever After High, each student must prepare to fulfill their destinies by living the story their parents and their grandparents all lived out for them.  For Apple White, that story is becoming Snow White, eating the poisonous apple from the Evil Queen, and being woken up by Prince Charming and living happily, ever, after.  Sounds easy enough, but all the characters in the story need to commit to living Apple White's happily ever after and Raven Queen just isn't sure she can follow in her mother's footsteps.  She's just not evil.  She loves puppies and painting toe nails - not hurting people and taking power that doesn't belong to her.  High school is a long journey and Raven Queen only has a few months to decide.  Will she fulfill her destiny or discover what lies outside of happily ever after?

For students in grades 6-8, join Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale in Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends.
Read the another review of this book by Casa Verdugo's librarian, Vivian.  

FAIRY TALES WITH A TWIST

Legacy Day is fast- approaching!  It is the day when the children of classic fairytale heoes and heroines have been waiting for- to sign the Storybook of Legends.  They each must commit to carrying on their parent's fairytale tradition.  When Apple White, Snow White's daughter, learns that the Evil Queen's daughter, Raven, has no interest in carrying on the Legacy she becomes mortified and will do everything she could to change Raven's mind, even try to be the best of friends. 

The STORYBOOK OF LEGENDS by SHANNON HALE is fun, and is filled with memorable characters but there's no denying that Raven will win reader's hearts as she goes through a journey of self discovery.

FALLING IN

Imagine following the sound of a mouse's squeak into a closet and falling into a world that is so different than yours that all the children fear you and don't really want to be your friend because they are convinced that you are a witch.  And because all the children believe that you are a witch, no one wants to play with you or hang out with you.  And so Isabelle search for good friends and hopes that one day she will be able to convince all  that she doesn't have witch like powers, however she starts to experience things on her journey which could prevent her from proving this. In this new world of hers, she befriends a girl named Hen who is on the hunt for the evil witch.  

Together, they embark on a journey of make believe and fantasy.  Will Isabelle ever get the courage to tell her new found friends that she is actually not from their world or will she start using her " witchy" powers in her new world and never go back?  Falling In by Frances O'Roark Dowell  is a whimsical and mystical story that will raise the reader's imaginations.  

For grades 5th and up. 

SEPTEMBER, A GIRL, AND SATURDAY, AN "ALMOST HUMAN" BOY

I like adventure. I like traveling to new and exciting places I've never been before. I do not, however, want to solve all the problems when I get somewhere. Maybe one or two small problems, like giving some first aid cream to a kid with diaper rash, or food for a homeless person. This is how September felt when she ended up in Fairyland, hoping for a nice, calm, relaxing adventure. Instead she is faced with evil creatures and a bunch of Fairyland problems that she is asked to help with. She meets a dragon who loves books more than she does (reading them, not eating them), and a boy named Saturday who is blue. Like blue as in color, not as in he's sad. Together they defeat evil and triumph over Fairyland. 

If you like Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia, you will definitely love THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING by Catherynne Valente. For grades 5 and up.

JULY 2013

READING IS SO DELICIOUS... REHASHED

These three beautifully illustrated rehashed fairy tales are hilarious and in one instance, someone is literally eaten.  Read them and see if you can figure out who it is. 

Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat have created an over the top rework of The Three Little Pigs as martial arts warriors defeating the Big Bad Pig with their moves.  The Three Ninja Pigs is worth a few chuckles while being read-a-loud to the family.  




In Goldilocks and Just One Bear, Leigh Hodgkinson sets Baby Bear on a path through the city where he becomes  lost and accidentally stumbles upon an old friend's house and their friendship is renewed, but does Baby Bear really belong in the city?    


Each two page spread has a different nursery tale character in the middle of a crime.  Now that you are familiar with the classic rhymes, you'll love reading these twists on them.  Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteries by David Levinthal and John Nickle is a hilarious romp for everyone. 

GRIMMEST OF THE GRIMM



This is not a story for the faint of heart or gentle of spirit. What we’ve come to know and love as fairy tales are a far cry from the original Grimm’s tales that have inspired countless Disney films and picture books. But, in reality, Grimm’s fairy tales are the stuff nightmares are made of. In fact, few people know about the more gory elements found in Cinderella or Rapunzel. Check out a copy of the original Grimm’s stories to see for yourself.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz follows Hansel and Gretel from the well-known candy house though several other Grimm’s tales (some familiar, some not). The narrator lets you know right from the start that things will not be easy and painless for Hansel and Gretel. It’s a dark and scary world out there in fairytale land, and the pair will need to keep their wits about them in order to survive. Their story is one of bravery and forgiveness in the face of betrayal and danger. As the narrator tells us in the first chapter, “…the land of Grimm can be a harrowing place. But, it is worth exploring. For, in life, it is in the darkest zones one finds beauty and the most luminous wisdom.”

So, if Goosebumps fails to thrill you, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark makes you yawn, and you can read Cirque du Freak in the dark, all alone, on a dark and stormy night, then A Tale Dark and Grimm may just be the book for you.

For grades 5 and up.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WEIRD BOOKS IN THE WORLD...

Katherine Paterson, author of well-known books like Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, has stepped into the world of English fairy tales with her new book THE FLINT HEART. Actually, the story itself is based on a book from over 100 years ago by someone named Eden Phillpott. This book starts in the time of "Early Man" (a long, long, LONG time ago) and ends up in what seems to be present day. It does take place in Dartmoor, England and it involves fairies and "jacky toads" and badgers and "Zagabogs". Things you've never heard of, I'm sure, but you'll be glad to know them once you read about them. Oh, and you'll absolutely love Charles and Unity who save the day from the evil flint heart that ruins everyone's lives! You may want a dictionary nearby because there's a lot of new words to learn...for grades 4-8.

JANUARY 2013

ANNIE, SLEEPING BEAUTY'S NON-MAGICAL SISTER

On her sister's sixteenth birthday, Annie helped the palace guards search for illegal spindles, but before the day ends her sister falls under the bad fairy's spell and falls asleep for who knows how long. It's up to Annie, the sister with no magical fairy gifts whatsoever to bring her family and the rest of castle back awake and break the 100 years spell, otherwise she might never see her family again.

First, she must go and recruit Gwendolyn's betrothed to kiss her awake and just in case, as many other princes as possible. But when any royal beings go near Annie they lose their magical luster. The princes don't look as handsome and lose some of their charms. Everyone looks a little older, and not as perfect, but she will do whatever it takes to bring her sister and the rest of the castle out of the wicked spell before the whole kingdom falls into ruins or... the wrong hands.

The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker writes another fun fairy tale adventure for readers in 4th - 8th grade.

SHORT BUT NOT VERY SWEET

There are two sides to every story. That's what you've always heard, well now we get to hear from our famous villains and how they got the short end of the stick.

Those goats were really stupid to have gotten eaten. It's really not the troll's fault. What a bunch of silly girls those 12 dancing princesses were.

Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villanous Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling is a collection of 15 short tales not just reimagined by the best children's fiction authors. A delightful read for fantasy fans 5th-8th grade.

THE GINGERBREAD MAN/EL HOMBRE DE PAN DE JENGIBRE

This classic story is about an old man and an old woman who make a gingerbread cookie in the shape of a man. The gingerbread man comes to life and runs from all those who try to catch him in order to make a little tasty snacks out of him. This beautifully illustrated classic tale – retold in English and Spanish will capture children’s imagination page after page.

For readers Kindergarten, 5-6. Retold by Catherine Mc Cafferty, illustrated by Doug Bowles.

A GRIMM SHOCKER!

If you've been keeping up with the madcap adventures of this crime fighting family, you will be shocked to the core by the unmasking of The Master of the Scarlet Hand in the final chapter!

Sabrina and Daphne's parents awake after two years of magical sleep and are confused by all that has happened. Daphne and Sabrina's wish for a happy family reunion with their parents are dashed when their father insists they give up their detective ways and return to New York City. Before anyone can leave Ferryport though the Scarlet Hand's army begin to assault the Grimm home and they must make a run for safety deep in the forest. The only option open to the family is to join Prince Charming's ragtag army of Everafters in order to destroy The Master's plans of taking over the town and eventually, the world.

The seventh exciting book, The Everafter War by Michael Buckley is for readers in 4th and up.

NEVER ENOUGH FAIRY TALES...

RAPUNZEL AND OTHER MAGIC FAIRY TALES selected and illustrated by Henriette Sauvant, and translated by Anthea Bell was a short but sweet conglomeration of some all-time favorite fairy tales and some I'd never heard. I was initially attracted to this collection of fairy tales because of it's size and beautiful cover page. I especially liked this collection because you could easily read these fairy tales out loud to a group of kids without losing their attention. The illustrations are gorgeous and tell a tale by themselves. A great book to read for grades 2 and up!

TORTUGA IN TROUBLE

This story is a variation of Little Red Riding Hood. Tortuga is bringing a delicious supper to his abuela. Iguana, Conejo and Culebra are following him. But they’re not the only ones who want to steal his dinner. Coyote has his own dinner plans for Tortuga and his grandmother.Includes a glossary of Spanish words used. Full color and funny story written by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by Ethan Long.

Kindergarten, ages 5-6

FAVORITE FAIRY TALES

The Twelve Dancing Princesses was always one of my most favorite fairy tales--the story of twelve sisters who elude their father and dance the night away wearing out their shoes every night. It has all the elements of a good story, princesses, dancing, mystery, magic and romance. In Jessica Day George's Princess of the Midnight Ball the author takes the fairy tale and further develops the story. In addition to the above elements she has included evil kings, princess and kindly old crones. The story is taken to new heights and has become something not to be missed.

For grades 5-8.

ADVENTURE, FANTASY AND ROMANCE ALL ROLLED TOGETHER

Julie, grandaughter of a witch, sister to Puss in Boots, and child of Rapunzel and the Prince. Wow! What a load to carry around, especially in this modern world where everyone thinks fairy tales are just that... tales. But Julie just grits her teeth and bear the burden along with her mother to keep The Wild from expanding and taking all the storybook characters back into its fold. But somehow, someone made a magic wish in the wishing well and unleashed The Wild. Her family, friends, and even the townsfolk have been pulled into repeating old tales over and over again and are trapped within the Wild. Julie has no choice but to battle the Wild for control of everyone she loves.

In this second installment, Julie's father, The Prince, suddenly appears at her grandmother's motel. She had not seen him since she had to reluctantly leave him behind at the magic castle. What is the Wild up to? It has never willingly released a fairytale character before. Now it has taken over her town and captured her mother. No matter what she tries, it seems that the Wild is always one step ahead of her. Along the way, crossing the country, she enlists the help of other fairytale characters and a boy like herself until everything converges at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. And it is anything but a happy ending.

Both books by Sarah Beth Durst are a fantastic and complex adventure woven into a world of fantasy and the modern headed by a spunky heroine who just won't give up. A great, fast, fun read for 6th grade readers and older.