Fairy Tale Reverso Poems for National Poetry Month

Has it really been FIVE years since Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer was released? I was contemplating poetry posts since April is National Poetry Month and many favorites came to mind. Then I remembered Singer's work and got all sparkly thoughts again. This book and the companion book, Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems, are favorites on my fairy tale poetry shelf. I have some sample pages from the second book below with some of the reverso poems to read. Reversos are poems that read backward and forwards (by lines) with some punctuation changes and doing so reverses their meanings and/or perspectives, too. They are so clever and fun and I adore these.

And the illustrations by Josee Masse fit the illustrations perfectly and colorfully. These should be owned in hardcover. It's the best way to enjoy them and that's from a confirmed ebook addict.

Publisher's description for Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems:

What’s brewing when two favorites—poetry and fairy tales—are turned (literally) on their heads? It’s a revolutionary recipe: an infectious new genre of poetry and a lovably modern take on classic stories.

First, read the poems forward (how old-fashioned!), then reverse the lines and read again to give familiar tales, from Sleeping Beauty to that Charming Prince, a delicious new spin. Witty, irreverent, and warm, this gorgeously illustrated and utterly unique offering holds a mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the fun and magic of both.

Images from Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems. You can click on the image to get a larger version for easier viewing:

The Librarians and the Fables of Doom

The Librarians is a new series on TNT here in the US. I tried it out because, as a librarian, I'm always interested to see how we are portrayed in pop culture. It's a thing for librarians, the majority of which are not buttoned up, bespectacled spinsters with a shushing finger and obsession with cats. I admit to the often bespectacled and occasionally buttoned up myself though, but I am far from typical and much less interesting than most of the librarians I've known.

Episode 6, And the Fables of Doom, aired this past Sunday night and it has A LOT of fun fairy tale references in it from Emperor's New Clothes to Little Red Riding Hood to a troll under a bridge in Three Billy Goats Gruff--and that's all in the first ten minutes. Anyway, if you are in the US, the episode is available to stream online for free for a month or so, so I am providing a link. There's a list of 57 fairy tale magical items from fairy tales and folklore and some overall kitsch, but it's fun overall. I'd consider the series from what I've seen so far--I've not watched them all--to be family safe, fine for most school age kids and up. There is some jeopardy and violence but not to the levels of say, Doctor Who or any of the superhero shows on right now. Yes, I watch Arrow and Flash regularly with the hubby.

Episode description:

Near a small town in Washington, a truck is thrown off a bridge and the clipping book sends the Librarians to investigate. They find that the event was caused by a troll, and that other strange events have been occurring in the town, each fitting into the pattern of a well-known fairy tale. The cause is traced to an old book that has recently come into the possession of the town's own librarian (René Auberjonois). The Librarians must race to stop the effect even as they themselves are swept into the stories.

The link to the episode is at http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/the-librarians/season-1/episode-6/and-the-fables-of-doom.html

And here are some preview videos:

Fairy Tale Romances by Victoria Alexander

Back in the last century, granted the very end of it, romance novels with fairy tale themes were popular. Actually, things haven't changed much. They still are or are again depending on your perspective.

Two of the titles on the fairy tale romance novels list that have always intrigued me are The Emperor's New Clothes, first published in 1997, and The Princess and the Pea, first published in 1996, by Victoria Alexander. Stand alone novels, according to Alexander's site, the novels were out of print for a while but have been reissued in recent years. Recently, they have also been released digitally for the first time which means they don't have to ever go out of print again. (Do you get sick of my glee over books staying in print as ebooks? I don't obviously. I still am thrilled every time I see older titles are released and achieve a new life.)

So why do these books stand out to me--I've not read them I admit--they weren't even readily available again until recently. It's probably obvious to some of you but I'll explain myself. These are two fairy tales that are rarely reinterpreted in modern fiction of any sort. Whatever the result, I admire an author who takes on that challenge. Alexander chose two Hans Christian Andersen tales, too, which I doubt was a coincidence. Those are some tricky fairy tales to reinterpret in a novel length effort. To remind ourselves of the short list, visit the Modern Interpretations pages at Emperor's New Clothes and Princess and the Pea. Romances aren't on the lists there but on a separate list. To my knowledge it's the only novel length interpretation of Emperor's Clothes ever. All others have been short stories or in the case of Adam Gidwitz's In a Glass Grimmly, it was a chapter of a novel.

Are you interested in a list of fairy tale romance novel titles? I have a list hidden on SurLaLune at Fairy Tale Romances. It hasn't been updated in a while, but it's still one of the best lists around of that nature. The Cinderella list could be almost doubled by now. She's a favorite trope for romance authors. Ditto Beauty and the Beast although those interpretations tend to be much looser than the Cinderella ones. The others, not so much.

Book description for The Emperor's New Clothes:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander spins the unforgettable story of a beautiful grifter and an irresistible mayor ...

Mistaken for the Countess of Bridgewater, expert con artist Ophelia Kendrake can't believe her good fortune. This could be the opportunity she needs to secure the future of the sister who means so much to her. But when she meets Tyler "Tye" Matthews, her plans to dupe the sleepy town of Dead End, Wyoming, prove difficult—for she's met her match in the wildly attractive mayor.

As the reluctant new mayor of Dead End, Tye is irritated to learn his first duty in office is to escort a visiting countess. But when he sees the stunning beauty, he wants to spend every waking moment with her. Suspecting Ophelia has secrets, Tye vows to uncover them—and thoroughly seduce her.

Book description for The Princess and the Pea:

The classic tale of a fervent courtship between an American heiress and a dashing British earl from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander

Feel the pea through this bed and win the heart of the man you'll wed.

A true American princess, Cecily White stood to inherit her father's business empire. And with the twentieth century right around the corner, the independent beauty had no intention of marrying some foreign nobleman seeking her money. Then, on a trip to England, Cece fell under the spell of a dashing peer who had more to recommend him than the length of his title and the size of his countinghouse. But Cece wouldn't surrender her heart to the virile Earl of Graystone until he proved that the only treasure he wanted was her love.

High Recommendation by Leighton: In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz

Leighton received her stack of gift books from me during her visit last weekend. Her first pick to read? In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz. Although it has been a year since we read A Tale Dark and Grimm together, she was eager to jump right into this one. Alas, we didn't get to read it together due to time constraints and quite simply her eagerness to read it right away and finish it in a matter of hours. Which resulted in her finishing another book or two, so I will report on those, too.

But the result? She loved it. Her favorite chapter, "The Wonderful Mother," referenced The Emperor's New Clothes, which we got to discuss briefly. Yes, her only memorable exposure to it previously was The Emperor's Cool Clothes by Lee Harper.

But beware that it is dark. There was no giggling girl in the backseat or in the bed or on the couch while she read this one. It didn't bother Leighton and most kids will adore it, but some parents and children will want to steer clear. But I doubt they read here since many of the original tales we discuss all the time at SurLaLune are dark, too, aren't they?

And the book appeared on many best lists for 2012--including Kirkus--so we can only hope there will be more from Gidwitz in the future!

New Book: Diane von Furstenberg and the Tale of the Empress's New Clothes (Fashion Fairytale 3)

Diane von Furstenberg and the Tale of the Empress's New Clothes (Fashion Fairytale 3) by Camilla Morton is officially released today, December 4th. The first two books in this series were released in 2011, Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty (I posted about it here) and Manolo Blahnik and the Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker. These are admittedly aimed at a different audience that the one that forms the majority here at SurLaLune!

Book description:

The third book in Camilla Morton's unique Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir series, Diane von Fürstenberg and the Tale of the Empress's New Clothes wraps the life story of the iconic designer, international jetsetter, and one-time Andy Warhol muse around one of our most beloved and enduring ‘once-upon-a-time' fables. Royalty and fashion collide in this delightfully fresh take on the classic Emperor's New Clothes tale written by London-based fashion writer Morton (American Vogue, The Wall Street Journal) and art directed exclusively by Diane von Fürstenberg herself—as the iconic designer helps the story's young Empress discover all the colors, shapes, and sizes of inspiration, in a grown-up fairytale that teaches women how to feel creative and empowered.

About the Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir Series

Each book in this inspired series from fashion writer Camilla Morton inventively reimagines one of our favorite "Once Upon a Time" stories, blending with it the real-life story of a famed fashion designer. Lushly illustrated by the designers themselves, these tales illuminate each iconic individual's creative magic while also celebrating his or her unique life and career. The result is an intriguing combination of whimsy and memoir.

In this contemporary twist on The Emperor's New Clothes, Diane von Furstenberg's iconic prints and bright color palette are reworked with signature DVF humor, grace and immense charm. Her illustrations reveal not only all that is regal about her, but all that is very real, as well.

 

Fairy Tales in Stitches: DMC Fairy Tale Classics Series

Today we have a series of fairy tales kits by DMC with three tales by Hans Christian Andersen. I tried to discover if there were more of these, but three is fun considering we get a Snow Queen and an Emperor's New Clothes along with the ever popular Princess and the Pea. I also like the usage of quotes in the design since words are always important to me. I found most of these on Ebay through international sellers which makes me wonder if they are a European exclusive.

Advertising: Sky TV Spots and Fairy Tales

Frog Prince

I first featured the Princess and the Pea Sky commercial when this blog was fairly new and the ad campaign of Sky fairy tales was brand new. But I have never shared the other spots, so here they all are together. Surprisingly enough, I think the Aladdin is my favorite followed perhaps by Emperor's New Clothes. Red Riding Hood annoyed me with its editing.



Aladdin



Princess and the Pea



Emperor's New Clothes



Little Red Riding Hood

Nathan Hale's Fairy Tale Humor

 

Back in February, Nathan Hale--illustrator of Rapunzel's Revenge and Calamity Jack--featured a Picture Book Marathon on his blog in which he brainstormed picture book ideas and created cover art for them for almost every day of the month. It was all in fun and a few were fairy tale related and my favorite wasn't but it was obviously children's book related, so I am going to show it anyway. The text is Nathan's and just as fun as the illustrations.

The Three Little Trilobites

The story of the three little pigs, told in the pre-historic Silurian sea. Instead of being chased by the big bad wolf, the three little trilobites are on the run from a nasty Mixopterus--a sea scorpion. First the trilobites build their homes from loose shells, then Crinoid stalks, last of all they build themselves a home deep in the mud, where they live happily ever after--they even end up as a fossilized display in a museum!

Don't confuse this story with last year's "One Trick Ponies," where the three Pleistocene ponies were on the run from the Giant Terror Bird. That was a prehistoric take on the Seven Chinese Brothers--this one is based on the Three Little Pigs. Similar, but different.

 

The Emperor-tron's New Mecha-Battle Armor

The story of The Emperor's New Clothes told with giant killer robots.

 

The Very Hungry Computer Virus

"On Monday he ate through an Apple computer, but he was still hungry..."

 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Last year, he offered The Ugly Pterodactylus and Goldilocks and the 300 Bears.
 
If you're a fan of the Rapunzel and Calamity Jack books, do look for the Lego tie-ins on Nathan's blog, too, such as here and here. 

Fairy Tales Retold from BBC on DVD

For the last few years, the BBC has been airing modernized movie-length retellings of classic literature. First was Canterbury Tales in 2003 which hasn't been released stateside. That was followed by Shakespeare ReTold (US link and UK link) which also aired on BBC America.

Most recently, the series offered Fairy Tales in 2008 which included movie treatments of Cinderella, Rapunzel, The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Emperor's New Clothes. For some reason, the DVD set for Fairy Tales [2008] has never been released in the states, but it is available at over well over 50% (63% off at the time of this writing) from Amazon.co.uk right now. Actually, all three series are listed at deep discounts for a short time if any of the above interest you. Just follow the links provided.

I haven't seen these movies but have been eager to see them for well over a year since they were first announced. The DVDs from AmazonUK are Region 2 but if you have a region free player, they should play without a problem.

Here's a link to the original press releases about The Series, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Billy Goat.