The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairy Tale

by Anne Lambelet

Sometimes bad decisions come back to bite you…

The princess is too sweet, too kind―but the witch knows just how to handle a princess like that. One bite from a painstakingly made poisoned apple should do it! Once the apple is in the hands of the princess, the plan is in motion. But when the kindhearted princess gives the apple away , the witch watches as her plot spirals out of control. Can she get the apple back before it’s too late? Who will end up with a happily ever after?

What goes around comes around in this darkly humorous fairy tale, sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats and howling with laughter.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Witches

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Anne Lambelet earned a bachelor’s degree in illustration from the University of the Arts longer ago now than she cares to admit. Since then she has worked with several clients including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and Hatchette Book Group.

She has illustrated many children’s books and has even written a few of her own including The Poisoned Apple (Page Street Kids, October 2020) and I am a Dumbo Octopus (Graphic Universe, March 2025).

She currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband, her two-year-old son, and her exceptionally fluffy dog, Eevee. She loves long jogs, listening to fantasy audiobooks, and she highly recommends that everyone attend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at least once in their lives

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Once there was a witch who detested a princess. This particular princess was getting a little too sweet for her own good..."

This particular Snow White tale is told from the perspective of the witch who decides that a local princess (aka the "Snow White" must die). And the best way to do that? A la poisoned apple...but that's not an easy spell.

"For months and months, the witch had worked tirelessly to collect countless rare ingredients."

But at last, the witch was ready. Only one problem.

"She only had enough for a single apple-poisoning spell, so everything would have to go exactly according to plan."

And (of course) when the witch hands off the poisoned apple to the princess, she decides to be kind and pass it along to someone who needs it more.

Whatever is a poor evil witch to do? But try, try again!

This is a very loose Snow White tale. There are a few elements that are the same - we do keep the princess (though she has long brown hair), and she's poisoned by a mean witch but for the most part, this version stands on its own two legs.

I rather liked all of the changes because I've read so many versions of Snow White that sometimes I do feel a bit sick of the same ol'. But this one surprised me - the dark comedy aspects were funny, the witch was evil (and yet I almost (almost) rooted for her).

And the ending? Well, I don't want to spoil it but it was quite the eyebrow raiser (though it was fitting given the overall tone of the story).

All in all, a fairly good version of Snow White!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the ending alone

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy! I did not peruse this one before sitting down to read it with my four-year-old, and watching his anxiety rise steadily through this suspenseful fractured fairy tale was a real treat. First I had to explain what "poisoned" means (yay for increasing vocabulary!) but he literally protested out loud every time a new woodland creature came into possession of the apple. And the illustration on the last page stunned him speechless for a moment, hahahaha. "Mom...what...what happened to her BODY?!" I would maybe skip this one if you have especially sensitive kiddos, because it is just a little scary. We loved it though and have read it multiple times already!

[Rod Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

A retelling of Snow White from the perspective of the witch that trifles with a theme of kindness and sharing but then gets real stupid with amnesia and karma elements before revealing an ableist slant with its spiteful and dark ending that may be too grim and macabre for some children.

[Elevetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because I enjoyed the illustrations, the overall story, the whole vibe of the book. But with the large caveat that the ending might be a bit too dark/gruesome for some kids, and honestly I was disappointed that she died in the end. They made her mannerisms and expressions throughout too likable for her to end up dead. However, it does teach the lesson that bad actions will come around to bite you in the end.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like darkly humorous twists on fairy tales, then this is your picture book.

The witch has slaved away creating the perfect poisoned apple for a too-sweet princess. But when the princess gives away that perfect poisoned apple to a dwarf... well, the story gets a little tangled up from there.

This is a hilarious story. I loved the text they used for the words "the poisoned apple." It made it spookier and funnier somehow. I can just imagine reading this aloud to some children and doing a creepy voice whenever those words show up in the story. All in all, a fun fairy tale with twists and turns and a witch who just can't seem to have things go her way.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Snow White hadn’t eaten the poisoned apple? What is she gave it away? What would the witch do? Oh how I love a good fractured fairy tale and this one is a delight. With excellent suspense and genius page turns and uniquely beautiful illustrations, this tells a what if version of Snow White that is just tremendous fun.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the wood-cut looking art, but the story didn't wow me. Looking forward to checking out Maria the Matador because isn't that a great title?

Library copy

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took the time today at work to get myself acquainted with the books in the children’s department. Reading children’s books is also a part of my regular yearly challenge to expand reading genre’s that I normally don’t gravitate to naturally.

If you and your kid(s) enjoyed The Paperbag Princess, you’ll have just as much silly fun with this story!

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, humorous twist on a classic fairytale. The witch gets what is coming for her and everyone else lives happily ever after.

Thanks to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this -- what a fun read with a deliciously dark twist!

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful twisted tale full of suspense and surprises.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever, funny, retelling of the Snow White fairytale.

[Karen Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ending of this fractured fairy tale. I read it to my storytime

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustration style and the fun little twists along the way.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great retelling of a classic tale! Builds so well to the ending!

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really, really, really, really love these illustrations. They're strange and beautiful and so interestingly textured. The story is super dark though! I did not like it at all. I will definitely seek out more illustrations by Anne Lambelet, though not a narrative.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom's Review
Fractured fairytales seem popular at present, and The Poisoned Apple is a solid addition to the genre. Imagine what would happen if Snow White's stepmother gave her the apple, but it got passed along, uneaten, until it made its way back to that evil queen. That's the premise of this picture book. Tense, funny, and satisfying in the end, Lambelet's work has us reading again and again. We laugh at the witch's fingernail biting, hair-pulling anxiety as the she watches the apple get handed off from one hungry character to the next, hungrier one. (T's favorite part is when the witch finally tries to get the apple back by climbing a tree, only to fall out of it, yelling, "💩!" as she goes down.) We coo over the cute animals, noticing new details in the textured drawings. And we cheer the demise of the witch by her own diabolical plan. It's also worth mentioning that the writing flows enchantingly for those reading aloud.

The Poisoned Apple is a captivating fractured fairy tale that is well worth the read.

Son's Review
Age: 5

I like it. It was funny. I thought the witch was super dumb and silly. The witch is dumb-silly.

Her [the witch's] arms are longer than her legs.

I've never noticed her [the witch] back there [behind the tree] either.

She said poop, because she has to poop I think.

Fav animal:
The squirrel, and also the squirrel babies of course. I just think the little guys are cute

What Mommy should be sure to include in the review:
That the squirrels are really cute!

Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book retells the story of Snow White and the poisoned apple. This version focuses very cleverly on the witch herself. It tells of the hard work she put into creating just one poisoned apple and no more. The witch gets the apple directly into Snow White’s basket, but then her plans go awry as the apple is passed to the dwarves as part of their lunch. Luckily, none of them take a bite, instead sharing the apple with some hungry forest animals, who in turn share it with a squirrel looking for food for her babies. As the squirrel climbs high into the tree, the witch follows, desperate to get the apple back and give it to Snow White. But her plans continue to fail her as the branch snaps from beneath her weight.

Lambelet has very nicely twisted and fractured this retelling of the classic Snow White story. The book will work best for children who know the classic version, as this one quickly moves away from that tale and into a riff of its own. Snow White and the dwarves make appearances, but are not the main focus of the story. The witch herself stays at the center, conniving and evil, making this just right for a witchy Halloween read.

The art is marvelous, full of fine lined details that come together to form dramatic moments that fill the page. From the creation of the poisoned apple itself to the witch’s fall from the tree, these moments are elongated by the art and the format to great effect.

This witch-focused retelling of Snow White is creepy, dark and satisfying. Appropriate for ages 5-7.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicious fractured fairy tale about a poisoned apple that takes a journey through the forest.
I don't want to give it away, but it's a good one. A great tale to share for a not-too-scary Halloween storytime. If you're sharing a fairy tales storytime, I would pair this one with The Goblin and the Empty Chair by Mem Fox.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a fairytale, even a fractured fairytale.
There once was an evil witch that loathed the sweet and charming princess. So, she decided she would fix her problem with a poisoned apple. With one bite, all her problems would instantly go away. However, the evil witch’s plan quickly gets foiled when the kind princess shares her apple and as the kindness spirals, so does the evil which’s plan.
In a beautiful story of cause and effect and negative actions yield negative results, The Poisoned Apple is a delightfully, fun, cautionary tale that is bound to be a new fairytale favorite.

[Andrew Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this spin on one of my favorite fairy tales, Snow White. The story follows the apple as the kindhearted princess gives it away and the evil witch watches as her happy ending slips from her grasp.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah! This is dark! But AWESOME!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: there's a death in this book. But it's the death of the "bad guy." So if your little one has an aversion to death, choose another book.

Me? I enjoyed it.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mean old witch eats her own poisoned apple.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book with dark humor and textured illustrations.

Possible red flags: death (where one sees the remaining skeleton) and attempted murder; plots and characters in peril.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humourous, but dark. For older children, it is a spin-off of Snow White and will have them laughing.

[Nathalie Wargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha! The dark twist of an ending is so perfect!

[Anjanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely artwork - My daughter and I read this to see if it would be good for her preschool class that she’s teaching

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fun read aloud with a great surprise ending.