Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 113

New Book: Film and Fairy Tales: The Birth of Modern Fantasy (International Library of the Moving Image) by Kristian Moen

Film and Fairy Tales: The Birth of Modern Fantasy (International Library of the Moving Image) by Kristian Moen is officially released this week although it doesn't appear to be shipping from most online retailers quite yet.

Book description:

Far from a realm of pure fantasy helping people to escape harsh realities, fairy tales and the films that rooted themselves in their tropes and traditions played an integral role in formulating and expressing the anxieties of modernity as well as its potential for radical, magical transformation.

In Film and Fairy Tales, Kristian Moen examines the role played by fairy tales in shaping cinema, its culture, and its discourse during its most formative years. Through analysis of early film theorists and detailed case studies of films of Méliès, Tourneur and Walt Disney, Moen shows how the visual tropes and theoretical vocabulary of the fairy tale negotiated different experiences of modernity - the giddy adventures of social mobility, consumer culture and identity transformation, the threats and anxieties of cultural change, impermanence and mutability. From the nineteenth century 'fairy play' to the self-aestheticising fantasies of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moen shows how cinema made fairy tales modern - and fairy tales helped make cinema what it is today.

And since this always matters to me, I have an image of the Table of Contents. It looks like we have the usual fairy tale film suspects with Méliès and Disney.

Dragon and Ogre Castle Toys on Sale Today Only

Today only, Amazon has the following deal: Gold Box Deal of the Day: 50% Off Select Fisher-Price Favorites. Toys have already sold out on the list, but I had to round out my house's Imaginext Castle collection with two items that are a hit with the nieces and nephews. They are currently $17.49 each. The other toys in the castle series are not on sale, but these were the ones at the top of my wishlist, so I had a lucky day, saving at least $20 off the prices I had considered earlier. And there are other non-fantasy toys on the list, too, if you are interested. But dragons and ogres belong on SurLaLune!


Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Dragon is $17.49

The Imaginext Dragon is a new twist on kid-powered adventures. With a handle on his back and the ability rear up, this Dragon is the ultimate Imaginext Dragon. Squeezing the handle will lunge his neck forward, easily grabbing things (figures, boulders) with his mouth, and when you lift him off the ground his wings will spread for a quick getaway. Equipped with “Action Tech” technology a squeeze of his handle will send a signal to the castle to warn the knights within of the approaching Dragon. He even has his own lights and sounds to have a roaring good time.

Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Ogre is $17.49

Imagine … a world of action and excitement where you decide what happens next! This time, it’s a world of Medieval adventure, with a fist-smashing ogre that kids control! Squash! He can step on an Imaginext® figure—and it “sticks” to his foot! Grab handle & walk him along for stomping sounds! Spring-loaded fingers let him hold a figure! Press on his tongue for chomping sounds as he “eats” a figure! Requires 3 AAA batteries.

These are adding to the Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle of which I have an earlier version, nearly identical. (I lucked out again on a clearance price at a seldom visited K-Mart one day when I ran in looking for something else.) These are some of the most popular toys at my house and I love that they are not connected to a TV show and other merchandising. And the girls in my life like it as well although there needs to be more girl figures with the toy series, my biggest complaint with it. But they just use the girls from the Little People Lil' Kingdom Castle that I also own. Before they made gender specific versions instead, darn them. But I have one enjoyed by all without any color programming. I know, you have a hard time imagining me with castle toys, right?

 
See these are the options now. Very discouraging:


Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace

Fisher-Price Little People Play 'n Go Castle
As the girl who preferred boy oriented toys as a kid (and adult), I hate the color typing that made me feel "wrong" as a kid when I wanted to play and build instead of dress and makeup my toys. I didn't mind Barbies, but I only ever asked for one and then that was over. I spent more time with my blocks constructing homes for her than actually playing with her.

Bargain Ebooks: Once Upon a Curse: Stories and Fairy Tales for Adult Readers

Once Upon a Curse: Stories and Fairy Tales for Adult Readers by Peter Beagle (Author), Nancy Kress (Author), Cindy Lynn Speer (Author), Patricia Wrede (Author), Imogen Howson (Author), Lucy Snyder (Author), Siobhan Carroll (Author), Anna Kashina (Author) is temporarily discounted to 99 cents. The paperback, released this past December, is $16.95. And as the title states, this is not a children's or YA book, unlike the rest I've shared the last few days. Judging from the author list, this doesn't mean the book is erotica or the like, just grown-up themes. The reviews have said it was overall acceptable for YA readers.

Book description:

“Gorgeous, haunting, and a wonder to read” – San Francisco Book Review

“An appealing way to rediscover the classic tales” – Publishers Weekly

“A beautiful addition to the adventurous fairy tale fan’s shelf” – Portland Book Review

STEP INTO THE WORLD OF MYTH AND MAGIC…

Fair maidens, handsome princes, witches, and fairy godmothers all show their dark and dangerous side in this anthology inspired by myths and fairy tales, retold by some of the best authors in this generation and by some upcoming new talents. Told with a dark twist, focused on the lure of the gorgeous evil, this collection will take the readers on a wild ride through magical realms of Ancient Greece, old Russia, medieval Europe, and modern day America.

Bargain Ebook: Sweetly (Fairy Tale Retelling) by Jackson Pearce

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

Sweetly (Fairy Tale Retelling) by Jackson Pearce is $2.99 in ebook format. This hasn't been discounted before to my knowledge either. It was the second release in Pearce's fairy tale books, following Sisters Red (Fairy Tale Retelling) and preceding Fathomless (Fairy Tale Retelling) neither of which are discounted right now although Sisters Red has been previously.

Book description:

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Bargain Ebook: The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide by Michael Buckley

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide by Michael Buckley is $3.99 in ebook and is only for tablet type devices since it is graphics heavy. This was released a year ago and hasn't been discounted before.

Book description:

Since 2005, Michael Buckley's bestselling Sisters Grimm series has delighted fans with the story of the Grimm family, guardians of the world's fairy-tale characters. There's only one book left in the series, and this comprehensive guide provides the perfect refresher for fans looking to brush up before the dramatic final installment and is the perfect introduction for new readers. Featuring character profiles, maps of the town, found objects from life in Ferryport Landing, fairy-tale facts, and much more, this artfully designed guide supplements and enhances the beloved series. Even fan favorite Puck weighs in with his cheeky alternate take on all things Grimm.

Bargain Ebook: The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore is $2.99 on the list and doesn't pull from a specific tale but it has elements reminscent of The Water of Life from the Grimms.

Book description:

Ephraim Appledore-Smith is an ordinary boy, and up until his father's stroke he lived an ordinary life. But all that changes when his family moves to the Water Castle-their ancestral home in the small town of Crystal Springs. Mallory Green's family has always been the caretakers of the Water Castle-and the guardians of its secrets. She has been raised to protect the legendary Fountain of Youth, hidden on the estate grounds. But ever since her mom left, she's stopped believing in magic. Will Wylie's family has been at war with the Applegates for generations, all because of the Water Castle's powerful secrets. But Will has rejected legend and magic, putting all his faith in science.When Ephraim learns of the Fountain, he's sure finding it can cure his dad. With Mallory and Will's help, the trio embarks on a mission that brings them deep into their families' shared history, through every secret room in the Water Castle, and on a quest that will blur the lines of magic and science, creativity and discovery, leaving readers left to wonder: Do you believe in the unbelievable?

Bargain Ebook: Mermaid Cookbook by Barbara Beery

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

Mermaid Cookbook by Barbara Beery is $1.99. This is not fiction but an actual cookbook. I'm considering it since we are also working on Leighton's cooking skills this summer.

Book description:

Dive into this new cookbook by bestselling children's book author Barbara Beery! Mermaid Cookbook offers themed recipes perfect for mermaid, ocean voyage, treasure island, and pirate parties for kids. The book brings magic and whimsy to the kitchen, teaching kids to create fun snacks and tasty treats while learning valuable cooking skills. Perfect for birthday parties, sleepovers, or afternoon playtime, Mermaid Cookbook offers an abundance of playful recipes including Paradise Pineapple Fruit Dip, Sea Foam Floats, Treasure Island Trail Mix, Goldfish Gorp, Mermaid Hair Salad, Sea Turtle Cookies, Little Luau Cakes, Water Fairy Ice Pops, Rainbow Fish Fudge, and more. Mermaid Cookbook is sure to make a big splash with your little ones!

Bargain Ebook: My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski (Leighton Recommended)

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski is $1.99. It has been bargain priced before and I acquired it then. However, my niece Leighton just read it this week, loved it and asked for more like it. How convenient that the sequel, My Epic Fairy Tale Fail (My Very UnFairy Tale Life), released just a few months ago is only $5.79 so I can be a cool aunt for another day.

Book description:

"You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies." Twelve-year-old Jenny has spent the last two years as an adventurer helping magical kingdoms around the universe. But it's a thankless job, leaving her no time for school or friends. She'd almost rather take a math test than rescue yet another magical creature! When Jenny is sent on yet another mission, she has a tough choice to make: quit and have her normal life back, or fulfill her promise and go into a battle she doesn't think she can win.

Bargain Ebook: Fairy Lies (Fairy Tale) by E. D. Baker

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I posted several of the titles on Thursday, but more have been added to the sale in the past 24 hours. And more are fairy tale related. A really great percentage for 284 titles! Each title will get its own post.

Fairy Lies (Fairy Tale) by E. D. Baker is more fairy than fairy tale related although Baker is no stranger to fairy tale retellings. I didn't have this one in my library yet so if it has been bargain priced before, it's been a long time. It is currently $2.99.

Book description:

In this funny and romantic sequel to WINGS, the half-human half-fairy princess Tamisin is kidnapped by Oberon, the king of the fairies. Forced to leave her boyfriend, Jak, behind in the human world, Tamisin feels completely lost. In the land of the fey, Oberon tells her that her mother, Titania had been lying when she'd said Tamisin was half fairy, half human. Who is telling the truth? And how can she get home again? Oberon doesn't have much time to explain. And Dasras, the odd blue boy who's meant to look after her, doesn't have the answers either. Tamisin must rely on her own sense of right and wrong, of truth and lies, and most importantly, of friendship and love, to sort out who she really is.

Bargain Ebook: The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

Amazon has a Splash Into Summer Book Sale sale going on for a few days and several of the titles are fairy tale related. I'm going to give each title it's own post today.

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson is the third book in Dickerson's fairy tale inspired Christian inspirational series. The previous two have been bargain priced previously. This one, released this past January, has been $8-9 until this sale where it is now $2.99. Lucky you, if you missed them and these books are your taste, the first two are also $2.99 for a short while, The Healer's Apprentice and The Merchant's Daughter.

Book description:

Sophie has long wished to get away from her stepmother's jealous anger, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be her chance at freedom---but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe knows he defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the orphan girl has stolen his heart. Though romance is impossible---she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else---he promises to himself he will keep her safe, no matter what.

When the pair are forced to run to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help---but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Can they find a way to protect Sophie while also safeguarding their hearts?