You may have seen that I have fairy tales on my mind, so why not indulge a little further by reviewing a fairy tale-themed book? The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller is fit for kids grades fourth through seventh. It’s both an original story and a retelling of five fairy tales: Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Swan Lake, and Brother and Sister.
Lana and her mother visit a supermarket that seemed to come out of nowhere. She meets a strange little man who knows a thing or two about selling stuff, and she and her mother buy a book of fairy tales. Readers will revisit the timeless Sleeping Beauty tale, only this version has twists (e.g. Sleeping Beauty’s mother takes up swimming.).
Lana returns to the supermarket, and she meets the funny little man again. Only this time, he shoves her into a candy bucket, and she finds herself in the Sleeping Beauty story. When she enters another candy bucket, she returns to the fairy tale. Later, she convinces Harrison, her way-too-serious brother, to join her on her fairy tale adventure, and they help a prince find Sleeping Beauty. The prince wakes the princess with a kiss, but not on the lips, respecting that she might have boundaries. Instead, he kisses her hand like a gentleman.
What about the other fairy tales I mentioned earlier? How do they come into play? As Lana sleeps, she receives a vision about Sleeping Beauty being in danger again, and Harrison and Lana read in the book that the princess’ children are Hansel and Gretel. The fairy who had cursed Sleeping Beauty has taken Hansel and Gretel captive. When Lana and Harrison re-enter the world, they find that Sleeping Beauty has turned into a swan. When the two are held captive, Lana tells a story that’s similar to Brother and Sister. But you have to read the book to see it for yourself.
Harrison learns that it’s okay to have fun and not be serious all the time. However, the book doesn’t put down people who have a more serious nature. Because Harrison is studious, he’s a help when he and Lana face obstacles (e.g. He refers to his knowledge of oxbow lakes when they try to cross the river.).
There’s a few incidents of lying (in Chapters One and Four) that parents may need to be aware of. Otherwise, this is a fun story that allows a fresh look at classic tales. If you’re looking for an adventure, give The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale a shot.
K.A. Ramstad 