Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 99

Four Fairy Tale Related Ebooks on Sale

I will not be posting much this week with the holiday season but wanted to share these fairy tale related ebook titles that are on sale for those looking to fill up a new reader. I use Amazon links here but most of these titles are also on sale on Barnes and Noble for Nooks and other ebook sellers. Four books--3 newly released in 2013--can be acquired for a total of $12.

Stung by Bethany Wiggins is $2.99. It has been on sale previously and draws inspiration from Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

Book description:

Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered-her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right wrist-a black oval with five marks on either side-that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. And she's right. When the honeybee population collapsed, a worldwide pandemic occurred and the government tried to bio-engineer a cure. Only the solution was deadlier than the original problem-the vaccination turned people into ferocious, deadly beasts who were branded as a warning to un-vaccinated survivors. Key people needed to rebuild society are protected from disease and beasts inside a fortress-like wall. But Fiona has awakened branded, alone-and on the wrong side of the wall . . .

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Twelve Dancing Princesses) by Jessica Day George is also $2.99. This has been on sale previously. It draws inspiration from The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Book description:

A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn…

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above.

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

If the Shoe Fits by Megan Mulry has NOT been on sale previously to my knowledge. It draws inspiration from Cinderella. It is also $2.99.

Book description:

The only thing worse than being in the spotlight is being kept in the dark...

With paparazzi nipping at his heels, Devon Heyworth, rakish brother of the Duke of Northrop, spends his whole life hiding his intelligence and flaunting his playboy persona. Fast cars and faster women give the tabloids plenty to talk about.

American entrepreneur Sarah James is singularly unimpressed with "The Earl" when she meets him at a wedding. But she's made quite an impression on him. When he pursues her all the way across the pond, he discovers that Miss James has no intention of being won over by glitz and glamor—she's got real issues to deal with, and the last thing she needs is larger-than-life royalty mucking about her business...

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (Author), Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator) is still on sale through the end of December for $2.99. It has been a top fairy tale pick for 2013.

Book description:

At the School for Good and Evil, failing your fairy tale is not an option.

Welcome to the School for Good and Evil, where best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she'll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil.

The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed—Sophie's dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.

But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are . . . ?

The School for Good and Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

Saving P.L. Travers (With Fairy Tale Thoughts Thrown In)

(US / UK Links)
I wanted to make sure no one misses “Saving Mr. Banks” But Throwing P.L. Travers Under the Bus by Jerry Griswold on the SDSU Children's Literature Blog. It should be read and forwarded in hopes that some people will separate fact from screen fiction.

I admit I am a fan of Disney's Mary Poppins--it is perhaps my favorite Disney film. But I also understand how Travers was wrecked by the adaptation. The film is not her story. She was never happy with it and some of the changes in the more recent Disney stage production--which I saw in London and I myself DO NOT like--were made to try to appease her memory and desires for the story's portrayal.

I am bemused over the need to rewrite history and record on film Travers portrayed as someone she wasn't. And that's not to say that "Saving Mr. Banks" isn't an excellent film acted by two of my preferred actors--Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. But I admit I am verklempt over seeing it for I know the real story--well at least a more accurate version than the one offered on theatre screens this holiday season.

Anyway, I offer no solutions and really don't want to belabor the point. I will always be bewildered by Hollywood's money machine, even more so after living in the midst of it for three years. I understand its workings all too well anymore and perhaps that is why I gravitate to BBC productions--I am further removed from their production.

But as for P.L. Travers, well, again, don't miss Griswold's article. And don't miss his links to his earlier articles about Travers, especially his interview, P. L. Travers, The Art of Fiction No. 63 Interviewed by Edwina Burness, Jerry Griswold in the Paris Review.

Such as this:

INTERVIEWER

But is Mary Poppins perhaps instructing the children in the “difficult truths” you mention in “Only Connect” as being contained in fairy tale, myth and nursery rhyme?

TRAVERS

Exactly. Well, you see, I think if she comes from anywhere that has a name, it is out of myth. And myth has been my study and joy ever since—oh, the age, I would think . . . of three. I’ve studied it all my life. No culture can satisfactorily move along its forward course without its myths, which are its teachings, its fundamental dealing with the truth of things, and the one reality that underlies everything. Yes, in that way you could say that it was teaching, but in no way deliberately doing so.

And this gem:

Once, when Maurice Sendak was being interviewed on television a little after the success of Where the Wild Things Are, he was asked the usual questions: Do you have children? Do you like children? After a pause, he said with simple dignity: “I was a child.” That says it all.

But don’t let me leave you with the impression that I am ungrateful to children. They have stolen much of the world’s treasure and magic in the literature they have appropriated for themselves. Think, for example, of the myths or Grimm’s fairy tales—none of which were written especially for them—this ancestral literature handed down by the folk. And so despite publishers’ labels and my own protestations about not writing especially for them, I am grateful that children have included my books in their treasure trove.

And another:

INTERVIEWER

Do you read much before or during writing?

TRAVERS

No. I read myths and fairy tales and books about them a great deal now, but I very seldom read novels. I find modern novels bore me. I can read Tolstoy and the Russians, but mostly I read comparative mythology and comparative religion. I need matter to carry with me.

And finally:

INTERVIEWER

What do you think of the contemporary interest in religion and myth, particularly among young people? Do you sense that in the last few years a large number of people have grown interested in spiritual disciplines—yoga, Zen, meditation, and the like?

TRAVERS

Yes, definitely. It shows the deep, disturbed undercurrents that there are in man, that he is really looking for something that is more than a thing. This is a civilization devoted to things. What they’re looking for is something that they cannot possess but serve, something higher than themselves.

I’m all with them in their search because it is my search, too. But I’ve searched for it all my life. And when I’m asked to speak about myth, I nearly always find it’s not known. There’s no preparation. There’s nothing for the words to fall on. People haven’t read the fairy tales.

INTERVIEWER

What reading would you recommend for children and adults?

TRAVERS

I should send people right back to the fairy tales. The Bible, of course. Even the nursery rhymes. You can find things there. As I was saying, when you think of “Humpty-Dumpty”—“. . . All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again”—that’s a wonderful story, a fable that some things are impossible. And when children learn that, they accept that there are certain things that can’t be, and it’s a most delicate and indirect way to have it go into them.

I feel that the indirect teaching is what is needed. All school teaching is a direct giving of information. But everything I do is by hint and suggestion. That’s what I think gets into the inner ear.

Want to read more about Travers' thoughts on fairy tale and folklore? Then read What the Bee Knows (Codhill Press).

“The Sphinx, the Pyramids, the stone temples are, all of them, ultimately, as flimsy as London Bridge; our cities but tents set up in the cosmos. We pass. But what the bee knows, the wisdom that sustains our passing life—however much we deny or ignore it—that for ever remains.” —P. L. Travers

Travers also wrote about Sleeping Beauty, a fairy tale that resonated with her, in her About the Sleeping Beauty. The book is small with her own interpretation of the tale as well as five other variants, all of which are found on SurLaLune these days as well as in my own Sleeping Beauties: Sleeping Beauty and Snow White Tales From Around the World (Surlalune Fairy Tale).

The book is worth the admission for her story and afterword about the tale, of course. I have several passages marked in my copy. The other five tales included for comparison are the Grimms' Dornroschen (Briar-Rose); Perrault's La Belle au Bois Dormant (The Beauty Sleeping in the Woods); Basile's Sole, Luna, e Talia (Sun, Moon, and Talia); The Queen of Tubber Tintye, or The King of Erin and the Queen of the Lonesome Island (from Myths and Folk-lore of Ireland by Jeremiah Curtin); and The Petrified Mansion (from Bengal Fairy Tales by Francis Bradley-Birt).

Here's a scan of the cover of my copy:

Deep Sale on North American Bear Company Nesting Puppets Pigs/Wolf

For some unknown reason, the North American Bear Company Nesting Puppets Pigs/Wolf which retail for $39.99 and usually are listed for $30+ on Amazon are currently priced at $16.99. The price could literally change any minute. They make a useful storytelling tool for the story.

To show what a wonderful price that is, the North American Bear Company Nesting Puppets Bears/Goldilocks is currently at the retail price of $39.99.

Anyway, a gift add-on or something to save for the next baby shower--I always give books or puppets for shower gifts--they last longer than the clothes. :)

A Greek Animal Bridegroom: Mr. Semolina-Semolinus

(US / UK Links)
Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale by Anthony L. Manna (Author), Christodoula Mitakidou (Author), Giselle Potter (Illustrator) is a picture book version of a rare Beauty and the Beast type of tale. The tale, admittedly, on the surface, appears to be more of a gender switched Pygmalion, but upon closer inspection it grows in resemblance to ATU 425A, especially in the heroine's quest to retrieve her spouse when he is stolen away from her. For that reason, it is often classified as an ATU 425A tale for the husband is not a natural human either, qualifying him as an Animal Bridegroom in a loose sense.

This exact tale does not appear in my Beauty and the Beast Tales From Around the World, but another common variant from Greece can be found in that volume, "The Sugar Man." Variants with the groom made of sugar were more common in my research.

I will mention here that the Greek--along with some Italian-- variants of Animal Bridegroom tales are quite full of variety and surprises. The beast may be only a disembodied head, a pumpkin, or a cooked up concoction, to give a few examples. I should devote individual entries to those in January. For the rest of December, I am offering up picture book renditions of Animal Bridegroom tales so we can all look at pretty pictures together. There will be some other tales, too, but I have been rather focused on Beauty and the Beast of late.

And I'd like to add that this is a tale of girl power for those looking for that in their fairy tales. This tale is much happier than Pygmalion with a spunky heroine who knows what she wants and refuses to cower when she faces defeat. She is full of action and wit. I like her!



Book description:

Since she cannot find the perfect man to marry, feisty Princess Areti decides to create a man of her own, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus, out of sugar, almonds, and semolina wheat, but when he is kidnapped by an evil queen, Areti must brave a perilous journey to get him back.

A Note About This Story (from the book):

Tales that tell of inanimate objects brought to life appear in many countries. The theme of the person whose desire for love is so powerful that he or she can make even a doll or statue come alive is a favorite among the storytellers in the easter Mediterranean countries of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In Greece alone, there are some forty versions. Most common are ones like Mr. Semolina-Semolinus, in which the person who longs for a companion uses sugar and other common cooking ingredients like semolina, a wheat extract, to make an ideal human being.

Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Y. Craft

(US / UK Links)
Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft (Author) and Kinuko Y. Craft (Illustrator) is one of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale titles still in print. There aren't many picture books of Cupid and Psyche to be found and this is a gorgeous option with Kinuko Craft's artwork. I've discussed the tale repeatedly here and its influence and importance in the ancestry of Beauty and the Beast. So I'll just sit back and let you enjoy the pictures today.


Book description:

Psyche is the most beautiful woman in the world, yet the oracle at Delphi foresees she will fall in love with a creature feared even by the gods themselves.

Magically, Psyche finds herself in a magnificent castle fitted with sweet music, attentive servants, and a charming but invisible host. Soon she falls in love with this man she has never seen, but in a moment of doubt she betrays his trust. To win back his love, Psyche must show that she is as brave as she is beautiful by performing three impossible tasks.

Perhaps the greatest love story of all, Cupid and Psyche is unsurpassed in its richness and drama. Marie Craft's lively, suspenseful retelling of this classic Greek myth will appeal to young and old alike. And these legendary lovers have inspired forty lush luminous paintings by award-winning artist Kinuko Craft.

Lavishly illustrated and thrillingly told, here is a book to be treasured forever.

The Star Child by the Grimms, illustrated by Bernadette Watts

(US / UK Links)
The Star Child is a picture book of Die Sterntaler by the Grimms, usually known as The Star Money or The Star Talers (talers as in coins) in English. It's not as well known but it is beloved by many who do know it. The most famous image from the story is of the little heroine gathering falling stars into her dress. It appears regularly in fairy tale materials and many readers do not recognize the short tale. It is one I see the most questions about, so I thought I would highlight it here today.

This book--the only English language picture book version I am aware of--is illustrated by Bernadette Watts who has illustrated many fairy tales, especially the Grimms for picture books. The cover image is sweet, here's a slightly larger version:


For me, the story has become a Christmas tale although it is not Christmas related. However, it's theme of generosity and giving along with the star imagery make it feel like a Christmas tale, one that is much happier than the usual focus on "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen, the fairy tale perhaps with the strongest ties to Christmas in popular culture. Much less death and guilt, but a joy in giving is conveyed.


Book description:

There was once a young girl whose only possessions were the clothes on her back and a piece of bread some kind soul had given to her. But even these few things meant much to others less fortunate than herself, and in selfless love, the girl gave the little she had away. In this beautiful Grimm tale, her virtue is rewarded a thousand times over.

The Lady and the Lion: A Brothers Grimm Tale by Jacqueline K. Ogburn and Laurel Long

The Lady and the Lion: A Brothers Grimm Tale by Jacqueline K. Ogburn (Author), Laurel Long (Author, Illustrator) is unfortunately out of print, but still readily available through used booksellers. The picture book is based upon what is perhaps the best known Animal Bridegroom tale from the Grimms, The Singing, Springing Lark. It is an ATU 425A The Animal as Bridegroom, the same tale type as East of the Sun and West of the Moon. There are eleven Animal Bridegroom tales from the Grimms in Beauty and the Beast Tales From Around the World including this one.

It is a gorgeously illustrated book, one of the lushest versions of Beauty and the Beast around with vibrant jewel tones and detailed renderings. The style is reminiscent of Kinuko Craft who has many fans here at SurLaLune. It's a shame it is out of print.


Author's Note from the book:

This Grimms' fairy tale is also known as "The Singing, Springing Lark." It is an Aarne-Thompson tale type 425, "the search for the lost husband," a type that also includes animal bridegroom tales. The story combines "Beauty and the Beast" and "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." Our retelling condenses the action, but we chose to follow the dramatic spirit of the ending of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" in our treatment of the villain.

Book description:

Love and honor can overcome even the fiercest obstacles, as we see in this spellbinding fairy tale, with shades of "Beauty and the Beast." To save her father, a young woman must go to the castle of a menacing lion. She fears for her life, but finds kindness rather than danger there, for the lion by day is a gentle young man by night-a prince under the spell of a wicked enchantress. Soon the lady and the lion fall in love.

Unlike the more familiar tale, however, this story has only just begun. The prince is not yet safe from the enchantress, and it will take all of the lady's strength and courage, through a seven-year quest, to rescue him. Dazzlingly romantic and visually magnificent, this is a book for the ages-an exhilarating tale of virtue, heroism, and the power of love.

Storybook Toys: Sew 16 Projects from Once Upon a Time Dolls, Puppets, Softies & More by Jill Hamor

Storybook Toys: Sew 16 Projects from Once Upon a Time Dolls, Puppets, Softies & More by Jill Hamor has some sweet designs for a few fairy tale characters, Little Red Riding Hood puppets and a Goldilocks and the Three Bears topsy turvy doll. I thought I would share images. And wish I sewed so I could make the Red Riding Hood set. But I have enough time demands and don't need a new hobby!


Book description:

Kindle the imagination with these loveable handmade fabric toys! Inspired by vintage 1940s patterns, projects include dolls, softies, pillows, puppets, and little girl’s handbag. Learn toy-making tips to give your creation personal style and a sweet disposition. Author Jill Hamor gives ideas for involving children in the process to teach them basic sewing skills. Customize any project to fit your skill level and time commitment, and have fun making outfits for your dolly from your favorite fabrics, scraps, or even upcycled bits from old clothes. Share the love of handmade with your whole family…the young and the young at heart!

Lady with a Dragon by George Barbier

And since I was sharing beauties with dragons today, I thought I should share this illustration, Lady with a Dragon, by George Barbier.
Barbier was a French art deco artist, with an aesthetic similar to Erte and Kay Nielsen. He is apparently very popular in Japan, too. There is a new bilingual art book about Barbier, in English/Japanese: George Barbier: Master of Art Deco: Fashion, Illustration and Graphic Design (English and Japanese Edition).

The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale by Laurence Yep (Author), Kam Mak (Illustrator)

The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale by Laurence Yep (Author), Kam Mak (Illustrator) is not a new book, but one I wanted to share. I have already posted about The Fairy Serpent: A Chinese Beauty and the Beast Tale but forgot to post about this book the same day since it is essentially the same story. So today I will mostly share some images from the book.

There are many wonderful Beauty and the Beast tales, but very few have been offered in picture book format. Fortunately, this one has been and it has been done beautifully.

So what kind of Beast would you want? A bear? A wolf? A snake? A monster? Or a dragon? (Especially one voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. My niece Leighton votes for that one.)


Book description:

When a poor farmer falls into the clutches of a dragon, only Seven, his youngest daughter, will save him—by marrying the beast.

Publishers Weekly praised "Yep's elegant, carefully crafted storytelling" and Mak's "skillfully and radiantly rendered illustrations" in this captivating and luminous Chinese variation of the beauty and the beast tale.

A 1998 Notable Children's Trade Book in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)

A 1997 Pick of the Lists (ABA)