8 Modern Fairy Tales

Fairy Tales aren't a thing of the past modern authors are creating their own from the Harry Potter to the novels of Terry Pratchett there are lots to choose from. So to help you out here are 8 we recommend:

1. The Princess Bride by Willam Goldman

2. An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

3. Tithe by Holly Black

4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

5. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

6. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

7. Princess Princess by Katie O'Neill
(you can read the webcomic online or buy her book)

8. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

For more ideas head into to the JYHS Library or the Lanthorn Library.

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.

Free Book Week Scotland Book

Download a free copy of the 'Nourish' ebook or grab the audio book version.

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.

Lari Don - visits JYHS Library

Were were delighted that award winning author Lari Don is joined us as part of our #bookweekscot fun to run a session with around 60 S1 pupils.

Lari has lived most of her life in Scotland, a writer and storyteller, she has written a number of books with a fairy tale link.

Her first series The Fabled Beast Chronicles starts with 'First Aid for Fairies' where a girl finds an injured animal but it's not one she can take to the local vet. So begins a series filled with mythical creatures, enchantments and dangerous enemies.

Her latest series The Spellchasers Trilogy launches with 'The Beginners Guide to Curses' sees our heroine cursed to turn into a hare whenever she hears a dog bark. It's only when she try to lift the curse by attending a special course for young cursed people that the problems really start.

Lari has also written riveting versions of traditional tales from around the world. If it's a straight re-telling you fancy then check out 'Serpents and Werewolves', 'Winter's Tales' or 'Girls, Goddesses and Giants'.

All of these and more of her titles are available in the school library.

A Night at the Library #5

#bookweekscot Lending a hand

A Night at the Library #4a

#bookweekscot Lego Club having fun

A Night at the Library #4

#bookweekscot choosing some new books

A Night at the Library #3

#bookweekscot Darth Vader gets some career advice before speaking to the SDS career adviser at lunchtime drop-in

A Night at the Library #2

#bookweekscot Getting in some practise for Tabletop Tuesday fun in the Library

A Night at the Library #1

#bookweekscot Getting some reading done for the Comic Book Club

As part of Book Week Scotland we are sharing what happens in the library when the school closes.