The Three Billy Goats Fluff

by Rachael Mortimer

Summary: When Mr. Troll threatens to eat the three billy goats Fluff for being too noisy while going over his bridge, Mother Goat comes up with a plan.

I love this book! In this fractured fairytale, the traditionally-portrayed bad character, the troll, is the focus. I liked the goat mother who is strong and diplomatic.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives

  by Michael Buckley

Summary: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fractured fairytale. It is the first book in the Sister’s Grimm series. This is a wonderful book to recommend to older children that enjoy fractured fairytale books such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The beginning of the book is somewhat sad, but the majority of this book is light-hearted and entertaining. The sisters’ spunky personalities soften the blow. These strong female characters will resonate with less “girly” children as well as the feminine fairy tale loving crowd.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Summer Reading Theme 2011: One World Many Stories Reads for Preschool and Kindergarten Students

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Librarianjk recommends Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

by Ed Young

Summary: Three sisters staying home alone are endangered by a hungry wolf who is disguised as their grandmother
This is a wonderful Red-Riding Hood story. The illustrations are beautiful but at times blurry. I believe that was meant to symbolize illusion.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

by James Finn Garner

Summary: “Politically correct" versions of traditional fairy tales or bedtime stories that have been changed to be feminist, equal-opportunist, etc.

Though many people do not recommend this book for children because of content and comprehension, I enjoyed this book in fourth grade. I did not understand everything, but what I did understand I found hilarious. There are others in the series I found just as entertaining. However, for a younger child there are now more age-appropriate fractured fairytales.

Interest Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: Young Adult

Librarianjk recommends Fairy's Mistake

The Fairy's Mistake

by Gail Carson Levine

Summary: In this humorous retelling of a Perrault tale, the fairy Ethelinda rewards one twin sister for good behavior and punishes the other for bad, only to discover that her punishment is more pleasing than her reward.

I recommend this book to children who enjoy fairytales and are requesting a chapter book. This book is very different from many fairytales. It explores that sometimes what we think will be wonderful is not, that good intentions do not always give us the best rewards, but in the end, things seem to work out.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends The Rough-Face Girl

The Rough-Face Girl

by Rafe Martin

Summary: In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, the Rough-Face Girl and her two beautiful but heartless sisters compete for the affections of the Invisible Being.

This is my favorite picture book in the folk tale/fairy tale genre. The illustrations are beautiful along with the story line and moral of the story. I recommend this book for kindergarten to sixth grade, but adults also enjoy reading it!

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6