Fairy Tale Fever

Do you have a favorite fairy tale from your childhood? Do you read the traditional fairy tales to your own children, grandchildren, students etc? In my regular trips to my local library to get books for my kids, I have come across some really cute modern fairy tales...

Title:The Princess and the Pizza
Author: Mary Jane Auch and Herm Auch
Illustrator: Herm Auch
Publisher: Holiday House (2002)

When Princess Paulina finds herself in a competition for the dubious honor of marrying Prince Rupert, she breezes through most of the tests - such as the pea in the mattress and trying on the slipper. It is the cooking test that causes her trouble. She decides to take a nap instead. Then she learns that the loser will be beheaded! In a panic she tries to concoct some sort of bread with her limited ingredients, but it doesn't come out quite like she expects...

Princess Paulina is a lovable character who displays a lot of ingenuity and high spirits. This funny story is illustrated with lively and colorful pictures. I particularly loved the fun conclusion!


Title: Beware of the Storybook Wolves
Author/Illustrator:Lauren Child
Publisher: Scholastic Press (2001)

Herb understands the danger of storybooks left unsecured at night. Wolves can escape from the pages and eat little boys. Luckily, Herb is more cunning than the wolves and for a while he manages to avoid being eaten. When he runs out of ways to hold them off, Herb shakes Cinderella's sassy Fairy Godmother out of her book and pleads for her help. Her interesting way of dealing with the wolves leaves the fairy tales of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella considerably altered.

Beware of the Storybook Wolves is a creative tribute to the power of a good book when it is coupled with a child's vivid imagination. The story and the illustrations make for a delightful and funny reading experience.

Title: Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter
Author/Illustrator: Diane Stanley
Publisher: HarperCollins (1997)

In this continuation of the traditional tale of Rumpelstiltskin, the miller's daughter and Rumpelstiltskin marry and have a daughter named Hope. On one of her trips to town Hope is captured by the greedy king and set to work spinning gold just like her mother was. Hope is kindhearted and intelligent and she concocts a plan to not just save herself but also to bring prosperity to the poor people of the kingdom.

The unique illustrations and creative plot make this a delightful book. The king's over sized wig and his shifty eyed guards are hilarious. Hope is a strong willed and intelligent young lady who's caring nature is a great example to the youngsters who read Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter.