The Great Fairy Tale Disaster: With the Best-Loved Fairy Tales

by David Conway, Melanie Williamson (Illustrator)

The Big Bad Wolf is fed up with blowing down the Three Little Pigs' houses. So off he goes in search of a new fairy tale to be in! Wearing the ball gown in Cinderella didn't work because "wolves don't wear dresses!", climbing up the beanstalk and seeing the giant's huge feet scared the wolf, and "yuck" getting kissed by the prince in Sleeping Beauty is not for the wolf at all! As the wolf runs from page to page the whole book of fairy tales becomes a great mixed-up mess! Children will enjoy spotting all of their favorite characters in this hilarious twisted-fairy tale adventure!

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Fractured Fairy Tales, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

David Conway is a children's picture book author who has written for Hodder, Random House, Frances Lincoln and Gullane Children's Books. He has been awarded The Peter Pan Silver Star by the Swedish wing of the IBBY and the Parents' Choice Gold Award in the US for Lila and the Secret of Rain. His first picture book The Most Important Gift of All illustrated by Karin Littlewood, was nominated for The Kate Greenaway Medal in 2006.

David's most recent picture book The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster was chosen as one of the children's books of the year 2008 by Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times and has been shortlisted for the 2009 Sheffield Children's Book Award. Shine Moon Shine was chosen as one of the top ten picture books of 2008 by The Bookbag.

David's picture books are published in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain (Catalan and Spanish) Columbia, Korea the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa and Japan. As well as writing David is a stay-at-home father and brings up his two children Bess and Jude and a cat called Bobby. David's wife works in academic publishing.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I intend to use this in my teaching lessons! It visits so many different fairy tales from both my childhood and children’s nowadays making it very enjoyable and engaging to read. It also isn’t very long only about 15 pages, which is great for reading to a smaller audience whilst still gaining their attention.

[Philippa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever way of bringing all the well known tales together. Could lead onto children writing their own book based on stories they know.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wolf, tired of his own fairy tale, goes off in search of another fun story... but doesn't have any luck. His transitions between tales are abrupt, and the humorous reactions to finding out his role in the new stories attempt to make up for that. Of course, at the end Wolf retreats to his own story, only to land in a pot of hot water, as usual. Will be fun for kids who have just learned their fairy tales.

The fun, chaotic illustrations are reminiscent of Lane Smith and are definitely grabbing.

[Emily Shilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Fairytale Disaster is a great book for young children, encompassing a range of pictures and different style fonts to retain their attention and make the book more interesting. I admired the way certain words were enhanced, whether this was in size or in font. It is effective because it means an adult who may be reading this book to a young child can emphasise their voice, making the story more interesting.
The book shows a range of traditional children's stories and tales including: Cinderella, the three little pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and many more. Children who are familiar with these tales will find the book exceptionally interesting because although this book incorporates these many different tales, it also puts a spin on them by using a wolf who is on a quest to be a part of a different fairy-tale. Therefore the traditional stories are different, and are even shown in slightly different lights to children which I really admired. Towards the end of the story, there is a double page where all the fairy-tales come together but are however mixed up and are intertwined with each other. This chaotic scene is humorous to children, because characters are part of the wrong fairy tale and children may find this amusing.
I have rated this 5 stars because the variation in colours, fonts, writing size and amazing pictures makes the book easily accessible to children of different reading abilities. It even allows a perfect opportunity for an adult reading this book aloud to put their own spin on the text.

[Tami Weers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Great Fairytale Disaster is a story about a bored wolf from Three Little Pigs. He decided he is going to try and find excitement in another fairytale. He tries to find something new and exciting in the other fairytales, only to make his way back to The Three Little Pigs. The concept of the story is so cute and the story is great, until the end. The ending was a disappointment for me. There was a huge build up with funny stories and then nothing. The wolf falls into hot water. The end. I felt the ending was rushed. I still believe children with a knowledge of all the fairytales would find the humor in this book. It's a great book, but fell a little flat for me. I did enjoy the fun text in the story and the illustrations. The pictures went nicely with the story, until the last few pages when things started to get confusing. This book would be best suited for older elementary students, although I think the younger one would find humor in it, they would get confused in the end.

[Lottie Botterill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. The pictures and the way the author put different words in different font, size and colour is really great, and it means that when reading the book you can really emphasise the words depending on how they have been written. When I have my own class, this is a great book I will use alot with them. The book can also be a good way to add a task onto for example it would be a great activity to then get the children to write their own fairytale stories, where anything can happen. It isn't too long either which is great to keep children engaged. The book also features lots of repetition and is made up of lots of familiar fairy Tale stories, which means that children are familiar with the characters.

[Lauren Schlueter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book under the fairytale category. This fairytale book is one that takes on a different perspective of typical fairytale and mashes a bunch of them together in one book. The big, bad wolf is tired of the story with the three little pigs so he decides to venture out into other fairytales and be a character there. One reason why I think many students will love this book is because it has all the different fairytales inside this one picture book. The other reason why children will love this book is because of the amazing illustrations full of color on every single page. This book is something that students will find comical and teachers can make it more fun for both parties by creating different voices for each character.

[Jaden]

Traditional Literature

This is a book that includes many traditional stories all in one, but with a few little twists. The Big Bad Wolf no longer had any huff and puff to blow the pigs house down and he was getting tired of falling into hot water. He decided he wanted a more relaxing fairy tale so he started hopping through the pages. He switches spots with Cinderella until he had to wear a dress, he left to find a different story. He went all the way through Jack and the Bean Stalk, Sleeping Beauty, Three Bears, Rapunzel, and many others to only end up back to the Three Little pigs in a pot of hot water.

[Libby Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book. It was very engaging, using bright illustrations on each page which I felt kept it engaging. It also used a little bit of humour which I feel would keep young children better engaged. There was lots of repetition and it cantered around classic fairytales which is a subject that a lot of children would be familiar with. This and the length of the story made it very easy for young children to follow and remain engaged in. I would use this book with KS1 as I think it might be a bit young for the older children. This book could also be used to encourage children to write their own fairytales, and think about the different characters and the plot of a story.

[Carla Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a clever book which takes all the traditional fairytales and merges them into one book. It follow the big bad wolf as he travels thought the different fairytales including, Cinderella, Jack and the beanstalk, sleeping beauty, Three bears, Rapenzel, Billy’s goats gruff, princess and the frog, Hansel and gretel, puss in boots and the three little pigs.

The book was enjoyable and the pictures were funny to look at however the storyline is a bit repetitive so younger children may get bored, also they was nothing new about it it just took lots of snipits of original fairytales.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wolf is just plain tired of falling into hot water at the 3 little pigs' house so he decided to search for a new fairy tale to inhabit for a change. Little does he know disaster lurks in the turn of a page. Kids 4 - 7 who are familiar with fairy tales will enjoy the humorous situations that occur when the wolf is out of place in the book The Great Fairy Tale Disaster by David Conway. This would be a great addition to a school unit on comparing and contrasting fairy tales.

[Alexandra Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great fairytale disaster
Wolf goes from 3 little pigs as he’s bored in to different fairy tales across the pages such as Cinderella when fairy godmother makes him ready for the ball and descides he’s infact best off in the 3 little pigs.
Gives an overview of classic children’s fairy stories, excellent introduction to all.
Could lead to reading the others in full, art project, story telling, oral traditions, long gevity, characterisation.

[Grace Wall]

• Quite funny.
• Fantastic links into various traditional-tales through including their characters and repeated language, (e.g Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair!).
• Interesting, colourful illustration, varied sized text and layout.
• Children can draw on previous knowledge and make connections.
• An interesting twist to the story of the Big Bad Wolf.

• Message: the grass isn’t always greener.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book involving many characters from a range of fairytales. A more engaging and funny book for older children who know the more traditional fairy tales well.
The big bad wolf decides to try and find a more relaxing fairy tale to be in but ends up not enjoying any of them for various reasons and goes back to his own story.

[Kaitlin Niedert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a spin off from the three little pigs, but in this story the wolf thinks he wants to be in a different fairy tale. After going into many other fairytales and realizing that wasn't where he belonged he decided to go back to the three little pigs. He realized that is where he fit in best and went back to his old ways. This book would be a great book for mid elementary students.

[Olivia Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional fairytales with a modern twist that turns into chaos! This book would be great for children to read once they have learnt about all the traditional fairytales. The bright colours and photos are sure to keep little ones entertained and maybe make them have a little giggle as it is very silly!

[Charlotte Hanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like children will love this book as much as I did. This is because is required their previous knowledge of al the traditional diary tales they’ve been read before and putting a spin on it, possibly making them laugh as the big bad wolf causes chaos in every fairytale he goes through. Not only this, the illustrations were fantastic too!

[Allie Outhouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pictures are dizzying!!! With the text floating everywhere it was hard to concentrate on the rude and troublesome wolf who learned nothing and was just as poorly off at the end as at the beginning.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another illustration disappointment. Colorful but too abstract. The story line would be hard to follow unless you know several fairy tales. Maybe a good read aloud after a fairy tale unit. A fun idea that just missed its mark.

[Ché Constable · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel that this book would be good for children who have just learned their fairy tales, however children could become bored with the transitions between each fairy tale as they get more abrupt each time. Overall, a very interactive and amusing book for children in a class room.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great art, but the only original thing in the story is that the wolf is trying to find himself a better fairy tale. When things go awry for him and he returns to the three pigs, there is no growth or appreciation for what he had and the story ends abruptly, almost insultingly so.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find anything particularly fresh or creative in this story. The big, bad wolf wants to find a new fairy tale and so he works his way through all the standard fairy tales with predictable results.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed this one. The big bad wolf is sick of his lot in the three little pigs story, so he decides to join a different fairy tale. He hops from story to story before finally deciding to go back to his old story. Funny with colorful pictures.

[Zoe Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as it interlinks lots of the best-loved fairy tales! Very simplistic and quick read but also very enjoyable as it takes you by surprise!

[William Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read for children particularly KS1. It captures the imagination of the children and includes some really interesting and fun stories. It is a book full of adventure for children.

[Ava Bondswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it's a very funny Twist on the traditional fairy tales like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and especially the three little piggies I think it's for year ones up to y5

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for kids they really enjoyed this one and were engaged in the story

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun to read!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a great fairy tale adventure? The Great Fairy Tale Disaster has all the old favorites like the Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, jack and the Bean Stalk and even Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The Big Bad Wolf is tired of all the repeated shenanigans of the Three Little Pigs. In order to make a change he decides to visit some of the other fairy tales for a change of pace. Cinderella's Fairy God Mother tries to send him to the ball in a dress and glass slippers. Of course, that doesn't go over very well. Next up, he's afraid of the giant on the beanstalk. He isn't taking any kisses from the prince in Sleeping Beauty. Things start to get hairy for the Big Bad Wolf when he eats the porridge of The Three Bears.

David Conway's creativity has generated a hilarious read for any young book lover. Cheerful illustrations and zany acts by the characters will engage young readers of all ages. Revisiting these classic tales open up a young child’s imagination to the possibility of creating their own fun endings.

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf has had enough of his fairy tale, "The Three Little Pigs." He decides to go on a journey to find a nice, relaxing story to be a part of. He finds Cinderella, Rupunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and a whole cast of other fairy tale creatures. Will he find a new tale to be a part of? Or will all of the fairy tales get mixed up, ending in disaster? Along with the fun and crazy story line, Melanie Williamson's illustrations are captivating. This book is great for kindergarteners and grade schoolers and will keep children wondering which fairy tale characters and plotlines will appear next.

Taylor W. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.