Customer Reviews

Fairly Fairy Tales

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4 star:		(1)
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This collection of mixed-up fairy tales begins with the premise of a mother reading to a child at bedtime. "Kiss? Yes./Water? Yes./Bedtime? NOOOO!" While the text is rather slight, the retro illustrations reminiscent of the 60's carry the story forward, and make the most of some of the ridiculous juxtapositions. For example, in the story of the Three Little Pigs, sticks, straw and bricks are followed by, "Solar panels? NOOOOO!" and the next page concedes, "Well, maybe," as readers are treated to a double-page spread depicting hippie pigs hanging solar panels on their brick townhouse next to a community garden where a folk music concert is taking place. Sharp-eyed readers will spot the first of many visual jokes: a wolf strolling by, handing out flyers promoting wind power.

The addition of shampoo to Little Red Riding Hood's story turns her grandmother into a manicurist at a beauty salon, and Red gets her nails done, as the woodsman expertly shampoos the wolf's mane. What really makes this book fun to read are all of the little details filled with sly humor. The salon contains baskets of sale items, including "Den Head" fur wax, and a copy of "WQ" magazine (Wolf's Quarterly, no doubt) for waiting patrons to read.

The addition of a disco ball to Cinderella's story ends up with Cinderella shimmying in a silver jumpsuit and platform heels with a suspiciously John-Travolta-esque Prince Charming, as a bellbottomed Fairy Godmother looks on and giggles.

The recurring refrain of, "Well, maybe," finally comes in to play at the end of the book as the mother and child say, "Kiss? Yes./Water? Yes./Bedtime? Well, maybe," leaving the child snuggled soundly into bed. This book would be great for sharing one-on-one. For ages 4-7.

In my school library each spring I share many versions of different fairytales with all my students. So by now every kindergartener through 6th grader is familiar with all the fairytales in this terrific picture book. By the second story in this book the students are chiming in with "nooooo" and a few "well, maybes" while gaping at the details of all the pictures. This is a wonderful book and author and illustrator have done a terrific job. Recommended for fans of the genre for reading alone or sharing.

In the fairy tale world, we know what happens (and if we don't, this book will be extremely confusing). Codell puts a spin on familiar fairy tales by asking the reader to imagine "what if?"

We know little red riding hood wore a red hood, and we know there was a wolf. We also know there was no shampoo involved in the story. But what if shampoo made an appearance? Everyone involved in the story would hang out at a beauty salon!!

The limited text and style of writing repeats itself which is wonderful for new readers. The illustrations are beautiful and will draw any child to the book.