Fairy Folk Literature
2006-2007
Kris Dinnison and Peggy Johnsen
Andersen, Hans Christian. Mitchell, Stephen (retold). The Tinderbox. Candlewick Press. 2007. ISBN 9780763720783.
This new edition is gorgeous; Bagram Ibatoulline’s watercolor and pen and ink illustrations are stunning. This
oversized reproduction beautifully retells the fleeting fortune of a returning soldier who learns the secret of the witch’s
tinderbox and her three magical dogs.
Brothers Grimm. Bremen Town Musicians. Minedition, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0698400429
This classic story of the four underdog animals who form a band and go off to seek their fortunes is also part
trickster tale. Lisbeth. Zwerger’s delicate but effective illustrations are a perfect fit.
Buehner, Caralyn and Mark. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Dial Books. 2007. ISBN 9780803729391.
The Buehner’s edition of this favorite fairy tale is a delightful as their other endeavors.
Dann, Penny (Illustrator). Bedtime Stories. Running Press. 2006. ISBN 9780762424257.
This collection of eight fairy tales in the over-sized collection are good choices: The Glass Mountain; The
Princesses and the Pea; King Midas; Stone Soup; and The Little Red Hen are examples
Eden, Cooper, editor. The Big Book of Little. Chronicle Books. 2006. ISBN 9780811850858.
This is a collection of tales that delights in everything small. Set with antique illustrations by such renowned
artists as Honor C. Appleton, and Arthur Rackham.
McKissack, Pat Porch lies : tales of slicksters, tricksters, and other wily characters Schwartz & Wade Books, c2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-93619-7
There are so many good trickster tales, and McKissack has pulled together a great assortment of them in this
book. These are the stories told on the porch after dinner, called Porch Lies by McKissack's family. They are funny and
well-told.
Miller, Edward. Three Tales Retold & Illustrated. Henry Holt and Co, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0805079166
3 pigs, 3 bears, and 3 goats. These are traditional re-tellings with graphic comic style illustrations.
Nesbit, E. Jack and the Beanstalk. Candlewick Press. 2006.
This charming retelling by E. Nesbit was first published in 1908. Tavare’s dynamic illustrations call out for fairy
folk collectors to add this to their library.
Root, Phyllis. Lucia and the Light. Candlewick Press. 2006
In the Far North, the sun has disappeared; someone has stolen it. Lucia sets out to find the lost sun with
nothing but a bit of bread, a tinderbox, and her milk-white cat. Inspired by Nordic Lore, Root spins a golden yarn of
love, light, and courage.
Stanley, Diane. The trouble with wishes HarperCollinsPublishers, c2007 ISBN-13: 978-0-06-055452-1
Stanley is a wonderful storyteller, and this retelling of the Pygmalian myth is no exception. Jane is the
sculptor's assistant, and the one he comes home to when his "perfect" woman turns out to be anything but. As
contemporary fantasy takes over publishing, the Folk and Fairy genre has been shrinking more every year, which makes it
even more important to pay attention to books like this.
Young, Ed. I, Doko. Penguin Young Readers, 2004. ISBN: 0399236252
This fable, told from the point of view of a basket, or doko, is classic Ed Young: beautiful, simple, and poignant.
The basket sees the family through trials, joys, and several generations. There is a touch of The Giving Tree here.