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Once Upon a Fairy Tale #1
The Magic Mirror: A Branches Book
Magic, friendship, and adventure are the perfect ingredients for a new twisted fairy tales Branches series from Anna Staniszewski! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!The Enchanted Kingdom is in a heat wave until the Ice Princess uses her magic mirror to make winter come -- no wonder Kara and Zed are too hot. But the magic mirror is broken! And no one else wants to help the princess. Can Kara and Zed find out how to fix the mirror and bring back winter? Or will it be summer forever? Macky Pamintuan's illustrations are on every page, welcoming readers into the adorably silly world of the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series.
96 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2019
43 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Anna Staniszewski
34 books323 followersAnna Staniszewski lives in the Boston area and teaches in the MFA Writing for Children Program at Simmons University. She's the author of over twenty books for young readers, including the The Dirt Diary series and Clique Here series, the picture books DOGOSAURUS REX and BEAST IN SHOW, and the Once Upon a Fairy Tale chapter book series. You can visit Anna at www.annastan.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/annastanisz.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 16, 2021
Kara lives with her mother and father in their shoe shop. When Kara goes to her Friend Zed's house, she finds out that the wax seal on one of the rolls has melted due to the heat wave. Zed is a royal messenger and he advises against opening the letter but Kara opens it and reads it and finds out that the Ice Princess needs help in repairing her magic mirror. Kara and Zed the understand the reason behind the heat wave.
Kara and Zed head over to the Ice Princess's castle and they solve the mystery of the broken mirror and they also help unite the Ice Princess and her sister, the Sun Princess.
It was a nice story with a mystery and fairytale vibe. I liked the story at the beginning more than the end. I also liked the illustrations.
3.5 stars
Kara and Zed head over to the Ice Princess's castle and they solve the mystery of the broken mirror and they also help unite the Ice Princess and her sister, the Sun Princess.
It was a nice story with a mystery and fairytale vibe. I liked the story at the beginning more than the end. I also liked the illustrations.
3.5 stars
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December 24, 2020This is the second book I’ve read from the Scholastic Branches line. I’ve been buying more of these for my library because they seem like really good stepping stones from beginning reader books to longer chapter books. This one was cute and fun, full of adventure and mystery. I can see this simple but intriguing story appealing to young readers.
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July 2, 2019@kidlitexchange #partner - Thank you KidlitExchange Network, Scholastic, Anna Staniszewski and Macky Pamintuanfor the ARC of THE MAGIC MIRROR - Number one in the about-to-be-brand new chapterbook series Once Upon a Fairy Tale. All opinions are my own.
Honestly, there are so many ways to do a retelling that it’s never going to get old - or at least I hope not! THE MAGIC MIRROR in particular is a fusion-retelling of The Snow Queen (the real Hans Christen Anderson one of course) and… the author’s whacko imagination (Anna’s words not mine). There are other little Easter eggs throughout, such as Kara’s parents are shoemakers and trolls work in the palace.
Anyway, kid duo Kara and her BFF Zed are appointed by their fellow townspeople to figure out why the Snow Queen won’t flip the switch from Summer to Winter. Everyone’s hot and all the ice cream is melting. Come on… Enchanted Village a 18th-century village; it’s not like everybody has a deep freezer in the garage.
The Snow Queen and the Sun Queen are finger-pointing over a broken mirror and fighting over custody of a pet monkey who loves them *both*. It takes Kara’s sleuthing and a lot of patience dealing with the cranky Snow Queen to get the mirror fixed and winter started.
The mystery resolution is so subtle I had to go back and re-read parts. Kara is definitely the brains of the operation but bestie Zed is the clear moral support and comic relief. (A good message IMO, that we need both in life).
My only caveat is that the Snow Queen’s attitude STUNK for 99% of the book, and nobody called her on the carpet for it. It was a good jumping point for a conversation with my 6 and 8 year old (girl/boy) though.
To note, Zed appears to be Black, although with all the missing monkeys, broken magic mirrors, and melting ice palaces race doesn’t factor into the story.
THE MAGIC MIRROR releases September 3, 2019 from Scholastic (just in time for your first Fall book order!) with at least three more books to follow in the 2019-2020 school year. I’m looking forward to returning to Enchanted Village soon!
Honestly, there are so many ways to do a retelling that it’s never going to get old - or at least I hope not! THE MAGIC MIRROR in particular is a fusion-retelling of The Snow Queen (the real Hans Christen Anderson one of course) and… the author’s whacko imagination (Anna’s words not mine). There are other little Easter eggs throughout, such as Kara’s parents are shoemakers and trolls work in the palace.
Anyway, kid duo Kara and her BFF Zed are appointed by their fellow townspeople to figure out why the Snow Queen won’t flip the switch from Summer to Winter. Everyone’s hot and all the ice cream is melting. Come on… Enchanted Village a 18th-century village; it’s not like everybody has a deep freezer in the garage.
The Snow Queen and the Sun Queen are finger-pointing over a broken mirror and fighting over custody of a pet monkey who loves them *both*. It takes Kara’s sleuthing and a lot of patience dealing with the cranky Snow Queen to get the mirror fixed and winter started.
The mystery resolution is so subtle I had to go back and re-read parts. Kara is definitely the brains of the operation but bestie Zed is the clear moral support and comic relief. (A good message IMO, that we need both in life).
My only caveat is that the Snow Queen’s attitude STUNK for 99% of the book, and nobody called her on the carpet for it. It was a good jumping point for a conversation with my 6 and 8 year old (girl/boy) though.
To note, Zed appears to be Black, although with all the missing monkeys, broken magic mirrors, and melting ice palaces race doesn’t factor into the story.
THE MAGIC MIRROR releases September 3, 2019 from Scholastic (just in time for your first Fall book order!) with at least three more books to follow in the 2019-2020 school year. I’m looking forward to returning to Enchanted Village soon!
September 10, 2019
{My thoughts} – I am and have always been a huge fan of all things fairy tales. So of course I am very excited to be able to read and review this specific book for Scholastic!
Kara and Zed are your average kids in the Kingdom. Zed has a job as a royal messenger and he gets a letter from the Ice Princess that he is meant to deliver. He isn’t able to deliver though and his friend Kara sees that the seal is broken and decides to read it. Once she reads it she learns that the Ice Princess is in trouble because her magic mirror is broken. Without her magic mirror working she isn’t able to start winter and put an end to summer.
Kara decides that her and Zed should go on adventure. She decides that they should go to the Ice Palace and offer to try and help the Ice Princess. They are two kids that have no idea what they are doing and most importantly do not know how to fix a magic mirror. When they get there they aren’t exactly welcomed with open arms, but the Ice Princess does decide to give them a chance since everyone else has ignored all her pleas for help.
I really enjoyed this book. It isn’t typical as to what you’d think when you hear magic mirror. It is however, typical in all other things of the story. I like that it is a lesson about learning to get a long and share. I think that every child that reads this book can learn how important those things are. I also think that it was a fun story that helps to show children, that even though they might not know how to do something, it doesn’t hurt to try something new either.
I look forward to reading more books in this series as they are released.
Kara and Zed are your average kids in the Kingdom. Zed has a job as a royal messenger and he gets a letter from the Ice Princess that he is meant to deliver. He isn’t able to deliver though and his friend Kara sees that the seal is broken and decides to read it. Once she reads it she learns that the Ice Princess is in trouble because her magic mirror is broken. Without her magic mirror working she isn’t able to start winter and put an end to summer.
Kara decides that her and Zed should go on adventure. She decides that they should go to the Ice Palace and offer to try and help the Ice Princess. They are two kids that have no idea what they are doing and most importantly do not know how to fix a magic mirror. When they get there they aren’t exactly welcomed with open arms, but the Ice Princess does decide to give them a chance since everyone else has ignored all her pleas for help.
I really enjoyed this book. It isn’t typical as to what you’d think when you hear magic mirror. It is however, typical in all other things of the story. I like that it is a lesson about learning to get a long and share. I think that every child that reads this book can learn how important those things are. I also think that it was a fun story that helps to show children, that even though they might not know how to do something, it doesn’t hurt to try something new either.
I look forward to reading more books in this series as they are released.
June 26, 2019
@Kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you to @scholasticinc and @anna.staniszewski for sharing this review copy with #KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own. The Magic Mirror (Once Upon a Fairy Tale #1) will hit shelves on September 3, 2019. Pre-order your copy today!
After reading an urgent letter from Aspen, the ice princess, Kara and Zed set off an adventure to help fix Aspen's broken mirror. Without the mirror, Aspen is unable to call on the clouds and bring winter back to the kingdom. Kara, Zed, and his crow, Rooster, must work together to figure out what happened to the mirror and how to fix it.
This book is the first in a series and is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches. The book has an engaging story and fairly short chapters making it the perfect bedtime read or a great book to start encouraging individual reading and/or reading the book aloud together. The characters are cute and unique. I like the focus on friendship and sisterhood. It contains important lessons about forgiving others and sharing, but presents them in an approachable and fun way. I liked the elements of mystery and that you got to follow Kara and Zed while they collected the clues and solved the mystery. The teacher in me also loves that it ends with some comprehension and critical thinking questions for the reader to answer/discuss as well as a fun drawing activity. The book also includes fun and beautiful illustrations by Macky Pamintuan that are sure to draw in and spark the imaginations of younger readers.
Thank you to @scholasticinc and @anna.staniszewski for sharing this review copy with #KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own. The Magic Mirror (Once Upon a Fairy Tale #1) will hit shelves on September 3, 2019. Pre-order your copy today!
After reading an urgent letter from Aspen, the ice princess, Kara and Zed set off an adventure to help fix Aspen's broken mirror. Without the mirror, Aspen is unable to call on the clouds and bring winter back to the kingdom. Kara, Zed, and his crow, Rooster, must work together to figure out what happened to the mirror and how to fix it.
This book is the first in a series and is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches. The book has an engaging story and fairly short chapters making it the perfect bedtime read or a great book to start encouraging individual reading and/or reading the book aloud together. The characters are cute and unique. I like the focus on friendship and sisterhood. It contains important lessons about forgiving others and sharing, but presents them in an approachable and fun way. I liked the elements of mystery and that you got to follow Kara and Zed while they collected the clues and solved the mystery. The teacher in me also loves that it ends with some comprehension and critical thinking questions for the reader to answer/discuss as well as a fun drawing activity. The book also includes fun and beautiful illustrations by Macky Pamintuan that are sure to draw in and spark the imaginations of younger readers.
March 17, 2019
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This book is set to publish 9.3.19 and will be part of the popular early chapter book line Branches by @scholasticinc
The Magic Mirror is book 1 in the new Once Upon a Fairy Tale series. This whimsical story is sure to be a hit. It includes an enchanted kingdom, magical objects, feuding princesses, a good mystery and one cute Artic monkey named Clyde.
We really enjoyed the main characters, Kara and Zed. I always love finding a girl / boy best friend relationship in a story. Kara was a great junior sleuth while Zed definitely provided plenty of comedic relief. We had a fun time tagging along on their adventure and trying to sort out all of the clues they collected.
The book and chapters were short so it would be easy to encourage young readers to work through or use as a bedtime story or group read. It did include a few discussion questions at the very end and would even make a great companion read to any unit on fairytales. Macky Pamintuan’s (@mackyart) fun illustrations were an extra treat. They were detailed and helped bring the fantasy characters and settings to life.
We will definitely be on the lookout for the series to continue. So far, it appears that it will include 4 books!!
The Magic Mirror is book 1 in the new Once Upon a Fairy Tale series. This whimsical story is sure to be a hit. It includes an enchanted kingdom, magical objects, feuding princesses, a good mystery and one cute Artic monkey named Clyde.
We really enjoyed the main characters, Kara and Zed. I always love finding a girl / boy best friend relationship in a story. Kara was a great junior sleuth while Zed definitely provided plenty of comedic relief. We had a fun time tagging along on their adventure and trying to sort out all of the clues they collected.
The book and chapters were short so it would be easy to encourage young readers to work through or use as a bedtime story or group read. It did include a few discussion questions at the very end and would even make a great companion read to any unit on fairytales. Macky Pamintuan’s (@mackyart) fun illustrations were an extra treat. They were detailed and helped bring the fantasy characters and settings to life.
We will definitely be on the lookout for the series to continue. So far, it appears that it will include 4 books!!
May 23, 2020
Anna and Zed live in the Enchanted Kingdom. Zed is a royal messenger. One day, Anna sees a message that was returned to sender. Apparently Prince Patrick has no interest in what Princess Aspen (the Ice Princess) has to say to him. But Anna does, so she opens the letter. Aspen is begging for help because her magic mirror is broken, so she can not bring winter to the Enchanted Kingdom. Zed thinks summer all year round is a good plan, but Anna knows that nature needs to take its course. So, she convinces Zed to go with her to the Ice Palace to see if they can help.
When they arrive, they see a spoiled Princess Aspen feuding with her sister, Princess Sola, the Sun Princess, over a snow monkey named Clyde. But who broke the mirror? Was it Princess Sola? So she can keep the land in summer forever? And how do they repair the mirror, which seems to be missing a piece?
Princess stories are always big with my 2nd and 3rd grade students, so this should get some attention.
When they arrive, they see a spoiled Princess Aspen feuding with her sister, Princess Sola, the Sun Princess, over a snow monkey named Clyde. But who broke the mirror? Was it Princess Sola? So she can keep the land in summer forever? And how do they repair the mirror, which seems to be missing a piece?
Princess stories are always big with my 2nd and 3rd grade students, so this should get some attention.
January 14, 2021
Now that my oldest is 6, we've started reading some chapter books at night, one or two chapters per night depending on how long each chapter is. This is a great "entry" book for kids. It has large font and short chapters, and still has pictures to add to the story and help kids start building their own imaginations when reading.
This book was pretty short, but was fun. My daughters really enjoyed the story and trying to predict who broke the mirror. I also really liked the questions at the end of the book to check for comprehension. I definitely recommend these books for your young reader who is starting to be ready for chapter books.
This book was pretty short, but was fun. My daughters really enjoyed the story and trying to predict who broke the mirror. I also really liked the questions at the end of the book to check for comprehension. I definitely recommend these books for your young reader who is starting to be ready for chapter books.
September 19, 2021
Kara and Zed are best friends who end up going on an adventure to help the Ice Princess. Her mirror has broken and she cannot fix it which means it will be Summer forever. It's so hot the Ice Castle is even melting. Kara and Zed, along with a crow, solve the problem and restore harmony to the land. This is the 1st of a Branches chapter book series. The sentences are great for students moving towards chapter books and the pace moves fast. The developments are clear and the illustrations help support the reading. I like that the main characters are a boy and a girl. The story could be read by anyone.
August 14, 2019
This fun middle grade/early chapter book shows what can happen when sibling rivalry threatens to make a kingdom endure summer forever. The Enchanted Kingdom is experiencing a summer that just doesn't seem to quit. Kara and Zed intercept a piece of royal mail and find out that the Ice Princess' magic mirror is broken and she can't fix it. Without the mirror, she can't change the season back to winter. When they travel to her castle to help, they realize the mirror has a missing piece and the Ice Princess suspects that her sister, Princess Sola is responsible.
March 14, 2020
*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*
Like all the branches books, this is a cute illustrated beginning chapter book. I think the cover will be appealing to both boys and girls (unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I still have a lot of boys who refuse to read "girl" books) and the story will be a fun read for the intended audience. It does provide a little challenge to readers about making assumptions and giving people a chance.
Like all the branches books, this is a cute illustrated beginning chapter book. I think the cover will be appealing to both boys and girls (unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I still have a lot of boys who refuse to read "girl" books) and the story will be a fun read for the intended audience. It does provide a little challenge to readers about making assumptions and giving people a chance.
December 5, 2023
I read this early chapter book for the young reader with my 5.5yo daughter and she loved it! I liked the two main kids in their quest to solve a mystery in a land of royalty and fairy tales. Two feuding sisters drive the key plot point as the Ice Princess is unable to access her wintry power because her magical mirror is broken. Meanwhile her sister is exhausted keeping summer in play. I think I liked the world building most of all in this fantasy adventure and will certainly be eating more from this series. The grayscale illustrations are nice, too.
October 23, 2024
This story was about 2 sisters coming together for a purpose. I kind of liked this lesson, but I'm not into the idea of sharing everything with everyone, as with the monkey in this story. I think we should have our own toys and pets and maybe share with your sister or brother sometimes, but still have your own stuff to play with. I believe that sharing is overrated, to be quite honest. But, that's just me.
I loved this story enough to give it 5 stars, just not so much the lesson of sharing. It was a great read, though, so I would recommend it to people who'd enjoy it.
I loved this story enough to give it 5 stars, just not so much the lesson of sharing. It was a great read, though, so I would recommend it to people who'd enjoy it.
December 9, 2019
A serious heat wave has hit the kingdom even though winter is supposed to be on the way. Kara and Zed learn that the ice princess cannot use her magic to bring winter because her magic mirror is broken. Can they help the princess fix her mirror?
This is a great introduction to the fantasy adventure genre for beginning readers. There's a little magical mystery to solve. A fun magic system to learn about, and an interesting array of characters to meet. Recommended to fantasy fans.
This is a great introduction to the fantasy adventure genre for beginning readers. There's a little magical mystery to solve. A fun magic system to learn about, and an interesting array of characters to meet. Recommended to fantasy fans.
February 5, 2020
Cute beginning chapter book! Kara and Zed work together to discover why it’s been so hot: the snow princess has broken her magic mirror and can’t summon the winter!
A lot of plot for such a short book. The mystery is a little lame (how could a piece of glass stick to the bottom of a shoe and not break?), but I liked the feuding princesses and their Clyde solution.
I would definitely recommend!
A lot of plot for such a short book. The mystery is a little lame (how could a piece of glass stick to the bottom of a shoe and not break?), but I liked the feuding princesses and their Clyde solution.
I would definitely recommend!
November 20, 2020
Kara, daughter of a shoemaker in a fairytale land, reads a letter from the ice princess Aspen, discovering that her magic mirror is broken and her realm is melting. Kara and her friend Zed head to the realm to see if they can solve the mystery before it is too late.
A unique idea, to pair mysteries and fairy tales. The books also have a modern feel and engaging pictures. This is a series sure to be loved by elementary children.
A unique idea, to pair mysteries and fairy tales. The books also have a modern feel and engaging pictures. This is a series sure to be loved by elementary children.
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May 4, 2021Kara and Zed live in a kingdom. Once the find out the ice princesses magic mirror isn't working, they decide to go on an adventure to help the ice princess. The ice princess decides to give them a chance.
I enjoyed this book. it was fun to read and also has a good lesson on how to share with others.
I would recommend this book for young kids ages 5-8. It is a fun story that can show children that even if they don't know how to do something, they could try something new!
no diversity
I enjoyed this book. it was fun to read and also has a good lesson on how to share with others.
I would recommend this book for young kids ages 5-8. It is a fun story that can show children that even if they don't know how to do something, they could try something new!
no diversity
March 17, 2019
Adventure, magic and two feuding princesses! This latest series from Branches will be a great addition to classrooms. Loved the Q & A at the back of the book to help with discussions at home or in school. This series seems a bit more advanced than some of the others in the series-perfect for those ready to make the transition to chapter books!
December 5, 2019
I read about 2-3 chapters a night of this to my 4 year old and we both loved it. It was entertaining and easy to follow right away and held her attention. When she begs for “just one more chapter” after every one we ended, you know it’s a good one! I already bought the next in the series and we can’t wait to read that one too.
July 2, 2020
I like the story. My 4 and 6 year old were entertained and eager to unravel the mystery presented to them. My ONLY COMPLAINT is the name Zed. Why oh why choose this name!!! Did anyone read this allowed?!? Zed said. Zed said. Zed said. It's everywhere!! So distracting. I'm thinking about changing his name.
July 10, 2024
I've been reading a lot of early chapter books to my 8-year-old, and this is by far one of the best ones. Colorful characters, with a solid mystery, and clues for you to figure it out before the characters do--if you're paying attention!
My daughter can't read and has trouble following stories that are too rambly. This book was perfect for her. It held her interested, and she was even able to answer the reflection questions at the end of the book. Definitely good for younger readers.
*Why is this series not in any of the bookstores?!
My daughter can't read and has trouble following stories that are too rambly. This book was perfect for her. It held her interested, and she was even able to answer the reflection questions at the end of the book. Definitely good for younger readers.
*Why is this series not in any of the bookstores?!
June 17, 2019
This book is perfect for readers who are ready for beginning chapter books with a more in-depth plot and text challenges. The names are unusual but overall the descriptive language will help readers develop the visualization skills.
August 25, 2019
Really cute addition to the Branches series - I look forward to adding the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series to my classroom library! At 90 pages, it fits in character development, plot, a mystery, and cute illustrations!
November 23, 2020
This illustrated first chapter book is perfect for young Disnerds and fairy tale readers. It avoids heavily gendered storytelling, and Kara and Zed have roughly the same amount of page-time. The writing is straightforward, but descriptive for the target audience.
3/5
3/5
January 27, 2021
Easy to read, fun adventure/mystery chapter book for young readers. Good for fans of Princess Pulvarizer and Princess in Black.
(I kinda wanna cosplay as the Princesses with a friend, but that would probably be way too obscure.)
(I kinda wanna cosplay as the Princesses with a friend, but that would probably be way too obscure.)
May 16, 2021
When I ordered this for my library at school, I thought it looked so cute, I just had to read it. And I loved it! Such a good book for young readers. Full of all the fantasy world. Princesses, trolls, magic and a little mystery. A good one for early readers to enjoy!
March 16, 2019
A cute story of friendship and sisterhood. This series should be a good addition to the Branches family.
September 25, 2019
A great new series in the Scholastic Branches imprint. In this story, two princesses are feuding over a pet monkey and the whole Kingdom is in an uproar.
October 2, 2019
A global warming mystery.
December 1, 2019
I think this book is about teaching how to fix problem together with out getting in a fight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews