Storybook Playsets: Activities During Corona--With Thoughts on SurLaLune Changes on Horizon

I've had the Hansel and Gretel Toy House and Storybook Playset and the others below in my list for posting for a while. I really love the design on all of these, but the Hansel and Gretel is my favorite. All of the candy and the oven right there front and center in the house design makes me cringe and smile. The other two sets are much more innocuous but also pretty, too. I like the Three Bears' house, too.

And don't worry, like yesterday's Princess and the Pea craft, as I share ideas for fairy tale related activities they are not all going to require a purchase. I know economic hardships are going to be one of the biggest challenges for many during this time. And the activities won't all be for kids--or those of us with kid-like hearts for playing with playsets, making crafts, etc.

In fact, I have some ideas of how to allow for volunteer work with getting the new SurLaLune Fairy Tales Database  more populated. I just need to ponder some logistics on that and will share some ideas next week. These are interesting times we live in and I am finding actually one of the things I miss most is the opportunity to do service. I am putting that energy into SurLaLune again after a long year of grief and other distractions. I am determined for this pandemic to bring about some blessings, too. The opportunity to spend some time finishing my current books that have been nearly done for almost two years now and finally getting the new SurLaLune website ready for launch. Good times ahead for those who use the SurLaLune site.

STORYTIME TOYS The Three Little Pigs and Bad Wolf, Book and Toy Set

STORYTIME TOYS Goldilocks and The Three Bears Book and Toy Set

SurLaLune's Small Print:

As an Amazon Associate, the SurLaLune Fairy Tale site earns a percentage from qualifying purchases as a referral incentive which helps support the site. Your cost does not increase by using the links on this site. Read SurLaLune's Privacy Policy here.

Miniature Libraries: Activities During Corona

  

Looking for some small activities while spending extra time at home right now? I recommend My Miniature Library: 30 Tiny Books to Make, Read and Treasure by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini and My Fairy Library: Make a Magical World of Miniature Books by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. (These are Amazon links, see the note at the bottom of this entry.)

My 10-year-old niece got the first set for her birthday in February and has fallen in love with putting together many of the little books. The My Miniature set contains many fairy tale titles including Beauty and the Beastm Cinderella and Goldilocks. She has been out of school for the last 10 days due to Coronavirus shutdowns in her area. This has been one of the activities that has kept her and her mother (my sister) sort of sane.

My Miniature Library:

My Fairy Library:

SurLaLune's Small Print:

As an Amazon Associate, the SurLaLune Fairy Tale site earns a percentage from qualifying purchases as a referral incentive which helps support the site. Your cost does not increase by using the links on this site. Read SurLaLune's Privacy Policy here.

New Book: The Mermaid by Jan Brett

The Mermaid by Jan Brett is officially released this week. Jan Brett has illustrated many favorite fairy tales. This one is an unusual twist, perhaps the most unusual from her to date. It's a Goldilocks story told with mermaids! Catnip for some people I know!

Book description:

A striking under-the-sea version of Goldilocks as only Jan Brett could create.

When Kiniro, a young mermaid, comes upon a gorgeous house made of seashells and coral, she is so curious that she goes inside. She’s thrilled to find a just-right breakfast, pretty little chair, and, best of all, a comfy bed that rocks in the current.

But when the Octopus family returns home, they are not happy to find that someone has been eating their food and breaking their things. Baby has the biggest shock when she finds the mermaid asleep in her bed! Luckily, shock turns to happiness when Kiniro gives her a thoughtful gift before escaping from the twenty-four arms coming her way.

Vibrant, intricate scenes of an underwater paradise transport this classic fairy tale to a magical setting inspired by the seas off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Chock full of fish and fauna and adventure, Kiniro’s story will enchant readers of all ages.

As always, here are some illustrations that you can view these larger by clicking on them.

Fairy Tales in Advertising: Purple Mattress and Goldilocks

Hubby John shared this with me several weeks ago and I kept forgetting to post it, cause LIFE.

I've seen a lot of advertising for mattresses using Goldilocks over the years--funny how it's almost always mattresses, never chairs, and rarely food--and this is one of my favorites to date. No, not the egg test but the fun references to the fairy tale make it charming for me. Mallory Everton, or Goldilocks here, is a favorite, too.

There is also a behind the scenes video:

New Book: Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff

Officially released today is Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff, Shurtliff's third fairy tale retelling for younger (and older who are ageless) readers, following her Rump and Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Okay, I will admit I don't get overly excited about Red Riding Hood retellings unless something really unique is in them. This is a fun series, so that is a bonus, but what actually had me smiling at this book description is the inclusion of Goldie (you know, Goldilocks) as one of the main characters. I am now hoping she gets her own book next. Because Goldie and those bears don't get as many retellings and interpretations as they deserve. And I think that is because Goldie is a less likeable character, because she is thoughtless and destructive, but there is so much scope for the imagination for that which has yet to be explored.

Shurtliff is certainly exploring some of the non-princess characters that children are most familiar with and that thrills me no end. And readers agree judging from the star ratings of her books on book retailers.

Book description:

"Red is the most wonder-filled fairy tale of them all!”—Chris Grabenstein, New York Times Bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.

Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. She’s not afraid of anything . . . except magic.
But when Red’s granny falls ill, it seems that only magic can save her, and fearless Red is forced to confront her one weakness.

With the help of a blond, porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red goes on a quest to cure Granny. Her journey takes her through dwarves’ caverns to a haunted well and a beast’s castle. All the while, Red and Goldie are followed by a wolf and a huntsman—two mortal enemies who seek the girls’ help to defeat each other. And one of them just might have the magical solution Red is looking for. . . .

Liesl Shurtliff weaves a spellbinding tale, shining the spotlight on a beloved character from her award-winning debut, Rump.

And don't miss Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, "a delightful story of family, perseverance and courage" (Booklist).

Bargain Ebook: Someone's Been Sleeping In My Bed by Linda Jones for $.99

Someone's Been Sleeping In My Bed by Linda Jones is another ebook reprint of an out of print book originally published by another publisher. It is on sale today for 99 cents. This is a very rare example of a full length novel--a romance--inspired by The Three Bears. It is usually priced in the $4 range.

Book description:

Of late, life had hardly been a fairy tale for the lovely, golden-haired Maddalyn Kelly. Nearly killed in a stagecoach robbery, the beautiful blonde escaped deep into the forest of Wyoming. This was a far cry from the simple life she had planned for herself as a modest schoolteacher. Hungry, lost, and weary, Maddalyn finally came upon a cozy mountaintop cabin. There were three of everything: three delicious meals, three comfortable chairs, and three warm beds. She could not help dozing for just a moment . . . Maddalyn quickly learned that the cabin belonged to three burly and intimidating brothers: Karl, Conrad, and Eric Barrett. She had eaten Eric's food, slept in Eric's bed. He seemed a wild animal, but did his gruff manner belie a softer side? Feisty Maddalyn was determined to find out . . .

FAO Schwarz Fairy Tale Hand Puppets

FAO Schwarz Hand Puppets - Little Red Riding Hood

I haven't seen these before--and if you have been reading my posts for any length of time you know that I am a puppet enthusiast. I love the Little Red Riding Hood set but the other ones are charming, too. But since they are FAO Schwartz branded, they are not inexpensive. So I will enjoy the images.

I have actually found many new puppets for this year and will be sharing more this week. There will be others that are more affordable. I have nephews and nieces who are young enough to still enjoy storytime with me and the puppets are a key part of that. Sometimes I use them to share the story and other times I let the kids use them to enhance the story, acting it out as we read along. It makes for creative play that we all enjoy.

FAO Schwarz Hand Puppets - Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

FAO Schwarz Hand Puppets - Fairy Tale

Crafty Friday: Amigurumi Fairy Tales - Crochet Your Own Enchanted Forest by Tessa van Riet-Ernst

Amigurumi Fairy Tales - Crochet Your Own Enchanted Forest by Tessa van Riet-Ernst was released this year.

As always, pictures speak louder than words when it comes to crafts. You can click on the images below to see them larger.

Book description:

Amigurumi-expert and fairy tale lover Tessa van Riet-Ernst puts numerous world famous fairy tale characters in a new crochet jacket. Of course Tessa put a bit of herself in there as well. The big bad wolf is secretly a softy, but he tries to look more dangerous by wearing a spiky collar. And Prince Charming is still not sure which princess stole his heart: the lovely Snow White or Cinderella. Or maybe Rapunzel, with her beautiful long hair? Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, the seven goats, the ugly duckling and the three little pigs all play a leading role.

This book contains 8 world famous stories and more than 20 new patterns. Projects ranging from beginner to advanced crocheter. Find complete instructions for all basic stitches needed and lots of pictures of each character from all sides.