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Seriously Silly
Snow White and the Seven Aliens
FEATURES- Original black and white illustrations- About the Author and Illustrator information- Table of contents, index, glossary- Guaranteed sewn library binding and high quality paper- Accelerated Reader quizzes available Spring 2004. Accelerated Reader: Reading Level 4.1, 0.5 Points.
- GenresChildrensRetellingsHumor
66 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Laurence Anholt
208 books91 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 11, 2017
This book is labelled a 'seriously silly story' and it really is - but in a good way. It is a different take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; a more modernised version in fact (obviously from the title of the book). I enjoyed the new version and laughed at some of the antics of the wicked step mother, and the 'hippie' dad is a hoot. I randomly select books of the shelf in the library to read and I am glad I picked this one. It's seriously silly and a lovely read.
August 21, 2012
I chose to review this book from the ‘silly stories’ range by Laurence Anholt as the classic story is retold with a modern, creative twist.
The story begins with Snow White dreaming of becoming a pop star but the Mean Queen is very jealous of her beauty and singing voice.
The Mean Queen regularly asks the magic mirror who has the nicest nose to which the mirror replies with humorous rhymes until one day the mirror favoured Snow White over the queen. The Mean Queen then orders Snow White’s father to banish her from the house and once in the city Snow White finds a spaceship shaped disco where she is given a cleaning job. She meets a new band called the Seven Aliens who all wear matching space helmets and they invite her to sing with them on stage. The Mean Queen hears about this from the magic mirror and in a jealous rage attempts to scare Snow White so she cannot sing. Luckily Snow White’s favourite singer Hank Hunk came to the rescue and marries Snow White.
I have read this story with a young family friend who is 7 years old and thoroughly enjoys the book and so I feel an appropriate age range would be years 3 and 4 as children will already be familiar with the classic story of Snow White.
The modern transformation of the classic fairytale is light hearted, funny and inspires imagination whilst still following the basic framework of the original story.
The collection of books is called ‘seriously silly stories’. These allow the children to engage in the stories whilst enjoying the comical variations and understanding the ‘silly’ purpose of the books. In this particular story Snow White dreams of performing on Top of the Pops and the seven dwarves are recreated as seven aliens.
The magic mirror alongside the introduction of a spaceship and aliens create a sense of fantasy and myth to the story which again inspires creativity when children are asked to write their own stories. The story uses rhyme when the mirror speaks and also during the famous song ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho….it’s off to space we go.’
Rhyme is an important aspect of word recognition in literacy and by addressing rhyme in a comical way, the subject can be enjoyed.
This story is sixty two pages long but each page compromises of just one short paragraph and a large illustration. This makes the book perfect for reading to a classroom. Short paragraphs enable the teacher to read and ask children to retrieve information from the previous paragraph without overloading them with text. The illustrations are sketches which would be easy for the children to replicate in their own stories and in this story provide a visual aid for children to follow the story and maintain concentration.
Aside from the humour of this book there is also a moral message which can be discussed with the children. In this case it is the actions of the Mean Queen towards Snow White. It displays the traits of jealousy, spitefulness and selfishness in such a way that gets a person no rewards in comparison to the good natured Snow White.
The story begins with Snow White dreaming of becoming a pop star but the Mean Queen is very jealous of her beauty and singing voice.
The Mean Queen regularly asks the magic mirror who has the nicest nose to which the mirror replies with humorous rhymes until one day the mirror favoured Snow White over the queen. The Mean Queen then orders Snow White’s father to banish her from the house and once in the city Snow White finds a spaceship shaped disco where she is given a cleaning job. She meets a new band called the Seven Aliens who all wear matching space helmets and they invite her to sing with them on stage. The Mean Queen hears about this from the magic mirror and in a jealous rage attempts to scare Snow White so she cannot sing. Luckily Snow White’s favourite singer Hank Hunk came to the rescue and marries Snow White.
I have read this story with a young family friend who is 7 years old and thoroughly enjoys the book and so I feel an appropriate age range would be years 3 and 4 as children will already be familiar with the classic story of Snow White.
The modern transformation of the classic fairytale is light hearted, funny and inspires imagination whilst still following the basic framework of the original story.
The collection of books is called ‘seriously silly stories’. These allow the children to engage in the stories whilst enjoying the comical variations and understanding the ‘silly’ purpose of the books. In this particular story Snow White dreams of performing on Top of the Pops and the seven dwarves are recreated as seven aliens.
The magic mirror alongside the introduction of a spaceship and aliens create a sense of fantasy and myth to the story which again inspires creativity when children are asked to write their own stories. The story uses rhyme when the mirror speaks and also during the famous song ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho….it’s off to space we go.’
Rhyme is an important aspect of word recognition in literacy and by addressing rhyme in a comical way, the subject can be enjoyed.
This story is sixty two pages long but each page compromises of just one short paragraph and a large illustration. This makes the book perfect for reading to a classroom. Short paragraphs enable the teacher to read and ask children to retrieve information from the previous paragraph without overloading them with text. The illustrations are sketches which would be easy for the children to replicate in their own stories and in this story provide a visual aid for children to follow the story and maintain concentration.
Aside from the humour of this book there is also a moral message which can be discussed with the children. In this case it is the actions of the Mean Queen towards Snow White. It displays the traits of jealousy, spitefulness and selfishness in such a way that gets a person no rewards in comparison to the good natured Snow White.
April 28, 2008
This is the best book. At least on Seriously Silly Stories. It was great but I read better ones.
October 4, 2017
In Laurence Anholt's Snow White and the Seven Aliens, Snow White is constantly being told by her evil stepmother that she will never make it as a famous band member. However, her stepmother becomes jealous of Snow White's beautiful voice and dancing moves that she orders her husband to get rid of her. As a result, Snow White ends up in the city alone. Fortunately, she gets a job at a local night club and meets seven aliens. Together, they form a band and become super popular all throughout the city.
After reading the original story of Snow White and then this version, I thought it was really silly. The pictures and story itself kept getting weirder. It's a really good example of a fractured tale of Snow White though. The tale mimics the popular European folk tale in a silly way which gains young readers' attention and possibly gives them interest in traditional literature.
After reading the original story of Snow White and then this version, I thought it was really silly. The pictures and story itself kept getting weirder. It's a really good example of a fractured tale of Snow White though. The tale mimics the popular European folk tale in a silly way which gains young readers' attention and possibly gives them interest in traditional literature.
May 22, 2017
It was very spooooooky! I like spooky books. I liked the skeletons and the ghost rider. Wooooooooo!
(L, aged 5)
(L, aged 5)
November 4, 2019
4.25 stars
February 20, 2020
Great little variation on a classic
August 19, 2022
Amusing modern retelling of snow white and the seven dwarfs sure to be enjoyed by developing readers aged 8+
February 25, 2023
La historia esta basada en un cuento clásico.
La protagonista es una niña que quiere ser cantante pero su madrastra la odia.
Me ha parecido divertido!
La protagonista es una niña que quiere ser cantante pero su madrastra la odia.
Me ha parecido divertido!
March 3, 2013
Week 6: Retold Fairy Tale Assignment
Hated and tormented by her evil, washed-up, stepmother, Snow White is constantly told she will never be a famous band member. Snow White's stepmother becomes jealous of her beautiful voice and dancing abilities and orders her husband to get rid of her. Forced to live in the dangerous city alone, Snow White survives by finding a job at a local night club. She meets seven aliens and together they rock the music charts, gaining popularity and fame.
"Snow White and the Seven Aliens" is appropriate for ages 7+ (Grades 2+).
Mimicking the popular European folk tale, this silly version will gain readers attention and possibly interest them in traditional literature. I read this version of Snow White after I read the original and I loved it. As I was reading I kept thinking that the story couldn't possibly get weirder, but each page surprised me by taking a direction I didn't see coming. I will definitely be using this book in the future to help teach students to compare and contrast stories.
Hated and tormented by her evil, washed-up, stepmother, Snow White is constantly told she will never be a famous band member. Snow White's stepmother becomes jealous of her beautiful voice and dancing abilities and orders her husband to get rid of her. Forced to live in the dangerous city alone, Snow White survives by finding a job at a local night club. She meets seven aliens and together they rock the music charts, gaining popularity and fame.
"Snow White and the Seven Aliens" is appropriate for ages 7+ (Grades 2+).
Mimicking the popular European folk tale, this silly version will gain readers attention and possibly interest them in traditional literature. I read this version of Snow White after I read the original and I loved it. As I was reading I kept thinking that the story couldn't possibly get weirder, but each page surprised me by taking a direction I didn't see coming. I will definitely be using this book in the future to help teach students to compare and contrast stories.
Read
September 10, 2011Like I said before, it is a seriously silly series! I love them! If you read the story, and didn't know the title or Snow White's name, then you wouldn't have known what the folk tale was changed from. But, since I did know the title and her name, I think it's cute that they changed "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" to "Snow White and the Seven Aliens." I laughed the whole way through it!
May 4, 2012
Another seriously silly reworking of a classic tale. Here Snow White becomes a modern girl who wants to be a rock star and meet her hero Hank Hunk from Boysnog. Her stepmother used to be a rock goddess called Mean Queen, who tries to thwart Snow White at every turn. He father is an old hippie who likes doing jigsaw puzzles and making plasticine models. A fun retelling.
December 24, 2007
As shown on the book cover, it is a 'seriously silly' version of the traditional folk story Snow White. This time Snow White sings a song with seven aliens from the space, not the seven dwarfs living in the forest. The book is available in the school library.
December 23, 2010
Monsteh Mash for children - who knew!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2014
An Amazing children's book
June 3, 2015
One of a collection of humorous retellings of classic tales for 5-8 year olds.
January 1, 2016
Amusing re-telling of the children's fairy tale.
February 16, 2020
Old tale in a new plot!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews