5 Fairy Tales Retold

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is perhaps the most famous reworking of Cinderella but Austen isn't the only author to take a traditional tale and create something original. Here are 5 more you could pick up in the library today.

1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinderella but as a android and in space.
2. Bloody Chamber and other stories by Angela Constance
An adult book this contains versions of Beauty and the Beast, Puss in Boots and others.
3. Tinder by Sally Gardner
A reworking of The Tinderbox by Hans Christian Andersen featuring wicked queens, werewolves and more.
4. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
Rapunzel gets to be the hero in a Wild West setting.
5. Beastly by Alex Flinn
Set in modern day New York, this version of Beauty and the Beast is told from the Beasts perspective.

Think you know Sleeping Beauty?

Fairy Tales aren't the cuddly versions Disney has given us, the originals are much darker so why not take some time out and read some of them.

WARNING: These stories contain gruesome, disturbing and bizarre events.

Grimms' Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Includes the Frog Prince (Disney's The Princess and the Frog), Rapunzel (which Disney filmed as Tangled), Hansel and Gretel, Little Red-Cap (a version of Little Red Riding Hood) and Snow-White and Rose-Red.

Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson
This volume includes The Snow Queen (which inspired Frozen), The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes.

The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault
Includes Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang
This series of tales includes Aladdin. It is also known as 1001 nights as each night a young girl tells a story to ensure that the Sultan doesn't kill her in the morning.

The Happy Prince and other Tales by Oscar Wilde 
Includes the story of the Selfish Giant.

If you'd rather listen to some stories then why not try a podcast -

Myths and Legends offers a short retelling of various tales and creature of the week.

A wee JYHS Fairy Tale Reading Challenge

It's #bookweekscot and we are celebrating with a #fairytalefeast - why not join in and challenge yourself to read 8 short fairy tales this week.

Language -
Yeh- Shen: Chinese Cinderella

Music and Theater -
The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Anderson

Creativity -
The Gingerbread Boy
(there are a number of versions of the tale including a bunch from Scotland were it's a bannock)

Health -
The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop
(You can listen to an audio version on the BBC website)

Wellbeing -
Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

Maths and Computing -
Computational Fairy Tales by Jeremy Kubica

Science -
The Fairy-Land of Science by Arabella B. Buckley

Social Subjects -
Arabian Nights 

Read them all (at least a story from the longer books) - comment on this post or pop in to the library and tell Mrs. Wilson for house points and a special pin badge.


What did Mrs Wilson read for the JYHS Reading Challenge?



Language - The Thirteen Clocks by James Thurber.
Creativity - Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Health - Rivers of London: Black Mould by Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel
Music and Theater -Curious by Rebecca Front
Wellbeing - Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie by Anthony Del Col
Maths and Computing - Too Much Information by Dave Gorman
Science - Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur by Amy Reeder
Social Subjects - Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

'The Red Ribbon' by Lucy Adlington

JYHS Library monitors got the chance to read 'The Red Ribbon' by Lucy Adlington.

What was the book about?
"The Red Ribbon is a story about love, loss and most importantly hope."

What did you think of it?
The general consensus was that it was a slow start but well worth reading on.

"I surprisingly liked this book. It had compelling characters and an interesting plot."

"It was really good. I didn't want to stop reading it. I liked the historical accuracy."

"...as the story developed I became more immersed."

"This book had me grinning then crying the next minute I can't recommend reading it enough."

"I thought it was a brilliant book with with a powerful meaning and was extremely moving."

"I really connected with all the characters and felt what they felt!"

"This was the best book I've read so far, I loved it!"

"...the actual book is perfect."

"...she needs to do a sequel to The Red Ribbon"

Fancy reading it yourself? Pop into JYHS Library and borrow a copy.

#TheRedRibbon @HotKeyBooks

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