Fairy Tale Gift Shop Discoveries at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

As I mentioned last week, I was blessed to go on vacation in October--mine and John's first vacation in four years, almost to the day. We were LONG overdue. Our vacation was long and eventful and occasionally I saw fairy tale things.

One of the best sightings was on our first day of the trip when we were in Barcelona at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. The gift shop had lots of fun things in it. I was so tired and jetlagged at that point that I also didn't care about taking pictures and the gift shop staff didn't say me nay either. So here are my photos for my own reference and where I found them later online for more information and better pictures.

It was an amazing museum, too, by the way. I really was exhausted and John ended up sleeping on a couch for a bit because his body just shuts down on him. He wasn't bored, just couldn't keep his eyes open anymore.

These Build Your Own Bobble Head - Fairy Tales were something new to me and looked like fun. If I was still working in a library, I would have snatched these up and assembled them for a display in the children's room. I had a few fun displays back in my day.

This Prince Philippe with the frog prince is by Djeco Toys--apparently made by France's Papo which I see has many fairy tale themed items--some I've investigated before. I will research and share more in a separate post soon! The Djeco site has that animated stuff you are forced to load and watch before you can really see much which is followed up by mystery meat navigation which I don't have time to mess with today. Or any day for that matter. Sells and informs absolutely nothing to anyone. 

These Shrinkables - Fairy Tale were perhaps the most tempting but on the first day of a trip, I was very reluctant to add ANYTHING to my luggage. Fortunately, I found these online and now have them in my wishlist for a possible splurge someday in the future. These reminded me of the Shrinky Dinks I loved when I was in 4th grade, many moons ago.

Again, I am a school supplies and stationary junkie, so I wanted these Fairy Tale Color Pencils and the erasers pictured above them, too. But I practiced self control yet again!

Finally, there were a few pieces from the UK's Tyrrell Katz brand. With further research, I've learned these are part of the Princess line and include many items, such as the backpack at the top of this post and more. The museum didn't have the Tyrrell Katz Princess Beaker, which is a good thing because I bet I would have bought that to hold pencils on my desk. Which may have convinced me to buy the Fairy Tale Color Pencils and then the self mastery would have been sliding down that slippery slope of indulgence. I ended up with room in my luggage by the end of the trip, but I didn't know that at the beginning! And since international delivery is very cost prohibitive for a beaker, I think this will remain as an image in my files instead of a pencil holder on my desk! 

Fairy Tale Gifts Winners

Using Random.org, the winners of the books in the  December Giveaway: Favorite Fairy Tale Things are:

Fairy Tale Gifts 7: Paula Richey wins the copy of Cinder by Marissa Meyer

and since I have another copy, albeit the one I gently read--I thought I'd give away another copy, so Fairy Tale Gifts 1: Karly Noelle Abreu also receives Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I don't think you'll realize I read it first, Karly!

Fairy Tale Gifts 11: Davina wins the copy of Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

and while we are here, I never announced the winner of The Enchanted Screen by Jack Zipes from a few months ago. The winner is Rachel Ayers.

I will be sending emails to you, but if you read this first, please send me your mailing address. I hope to ship everything on Monday--I have other things to mail for the Magick4Terri auction, too.

Congrats and happy holidays everyone! And thank you for sharing your lists.

Fairy Tale Gifts 12: Pambelina

We ended up with 12 entries for the December Giveaway: Favorite Fairy Tale Things with a great ending from Pambelina. Thanks to everyone who participated!

In her words:

From pambelina:

I debated whether or not to send this email, Heidi. I assumed that everyone loved the same fairy tales that I love and it would be redundant. But with this being the last day I realized that I couldn't sit idly by while some of my favorite fairy tale things were overlooked! So here is my list. (Let me know if you would like me to send specific links, etc.)

  

1. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (and the rest of the Bayern series) and Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. I've loved Ms. Hale's books since the day that The Goose Girl fell on my head at a bookstore where I was looking for a new book (true story).

 

2. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. These two books, along with The Goose Girl inspired me to start researching fairy tales and trying my hand at writing my own.

3. Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan with a foreword by Jane Yolen. This exposed me to so many tales that I had never heard before

4. Fairy Tales by James C. Christensen jigsaw puzzle. So hard, but so fun!

5. Any fairy tale figurines by Jim Shore (they're Disney characters, but SO gorgeous).

6. The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry. My ten-year-old niece can't get enough fairy tales (it's my fault, I'm happy to say), so I'm always excited when I find one that's age-appropriate for her. (Heidi's note: This is currently bargain priced in hardcover for $6.80 on Amazon.)

  

7. The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde. You've never seen Rumpelstiltskin's story quite like this collection of short stories, all re-imagining the original tale. (Heidi's note: I'd add her Cloaked in Red while we're here!)

8. The gorgeous artwork of Emma SanCartier. (Heidi's note: I didn't have time to research more, just found one book, but I will see about doing a post later.)

9. The Better to Stick to You tape dispenser from shopruche.com.

10. And, for that person who has everything, a Don't Piss off the Fairies yard sign.
Thanks for your blog, I read every day!
pambelina

Fairy Tale Gifts 11: Davina

Today is the last day to send me your fairy tale gift wishlist to be entered in the giveaway. With only 11 entries, there are some good chances of getting a book! Details at December Giveaway: Favorite Fairy Tale Things.

For today, I have the latest entry I have received from Davina. Here it is:

Hi, Heidi!

First I would just like to say that I recently discovered your website and blog and am so delighted to dive into all the fairy tale information you have put together. It is truly impressive and I am glad to have so much reading ahead of me!

Here is my list of Fairy Tale Gifts:

1. Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl
Already mentioned on the site, but still one of my absolute favorites! A whimsical YA fairy tale story that draws on multiple tales to make a surprisingly cohesive and satisfyingly fresh tale. The wit and spunk of the narrator really charms!

 

2. The Seventh Swan by Nicholas Stuart Gray

Also already mentioned, but another personal favorite of mine. It is a continuation of The Seven Swans tale and goes on to make a new story. It cleverly draws on fairy tale tropes while providing great characterization. It also brilliantly mixes comedy with tragedy.

3. I Was A Rat! by Philip Pullman
Already mentioned too, but I thought it warranted another spotlight. It is an adorable take on the aftermath of the Cinderella tale. (I have not yet been able to see the movie version and would like to know what everyone on SurLaLune thinks of it.)

4. Jim Henson's the Storyteller Volume 1
Coming out this month! It is the continuation of the Storyteller TV series in graphic novel form, which means new tales in the Storyteller fashion! Here is a list of the new tales included in the book.

5. Dreamkeeper 2003 movie
A wonderful TV movie full of Native American myths and folktales! Fun and informative.

6. Custom Order Large Dragon by Creatures From El on etsy.com
Exceedingly beautiful hand-sculpted fantasy creatures! (Heidi's note: the one pictured has sold, but there are more!)

7. Tiny felted dragon by Ruta Felt on etsy (Heidi's note: This is sold, too, but there are other adorable critters!)

If you can't afford Creatures From El, maybe this little one is right for you! I love the fire emerging from its mouth. ^^

8. Dear Little Brother by Ravenari on deviantArt.com
A beautiful illustration of one my favorite Grimms tales. (Heidi's note: One of my favorites, too! Although I never discuss it here, hmmmm.....)

I would like to share three other things as well but not as gifts/wishlist items, just as some fun things other fairy tale enthusiasts might enjoy. First, on hulu.com, there is a Korean drama (with English subtitles) called Secret Garden which is quite entertaining and magical in its own right but also happens to repeatedly mention The Little Mermaid throughout as a foil to the main romance plot line. The re-interpretation of that fairy tale is very interesting. Alice In Wonderland also gets some mention. Secondly, there is a Russian cartoon of Sleeping Beauty on youtube (with English dubbing). (Heidi's note: This has been feature on the blog previously.) It is very beautifully drawn. Lastly, an online comic I found illustrating The Hare's Bride. I think the art really captures that tale! (Also featured on the SurLaLune blog last year!)

Thank you!

Davina Behin Jones
Familiar Oddlings on etsy.com
Davina Behin Jones on wordpress.com