“Hensel and Gretel Ninja Chicks” by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Meet Hensel and Gretel: two ninja chicks that are anything but chicken! In Corey Rosen Schwartz’s latest picture book, these two sisters must use their ninja skills on a winding adventure to save their Papa who has been captured by a cunning fox. This fractured fairy tale depicts Hensel and Gretel learning the art of ninjutsu at the 3 Pigs Dojo and leaving a trail of bread crumbs to try and track down their Papa. Soon the chicks become lost as they grope through a twisted and tangled forest in complete darkness only to be lured inside the fox’s cottage made of yummy corn bread. When invited inside for a quick teriyaki, the chicks soon learn that they are in for trouble and quite the ninja showdown. Can the chicks rise to the challenge before their Papa and Mama end up chicken-pot- pied or stir-fried by the fox? 

With a clever rhyming story line and bright action packed illustrations children of all ages are sure to enjoy this story of empowered sister chicks. A great bedtime or story time selection, children are sure to be engaged and enthralled with this new ninja style take on the traditional Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.

Check out other books by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat as well!

--Alison R., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Princess Pink and the Land of Fake Believe" by Noah Z. Jones

Grab your favorite snack and tag along in the latest title from the series Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe! 

Princess Pink does not like princesses, fairies, or ballerinas, and she also “can’t stand pink!”. Princess does enjoy skateboarding, karate, and drawing cartoons. This fourth title in the series begins with Princess using her refrigerator as an entrance point for a very strange land where her friend Moldylocks lives. Together with Moldylocks’ cousin Jack they decide to watch some movies and gorge on snacks. But the pink jellybeans Jack has brought aren't very tasty so they toss them aside. Overnight, they sprout and grow into a huge stalk, which the youngsters climb finding themselves in Snackland where everything is made of yummy snacks. Filled with pizza-roll hills and nacho-cheese rivers, enjoy the vibrant illustrations as the youngsters play baseball in the Royal Cheese-Doodle Gardens and sword battle on the Great Wall of Chicken Fingers. But hang on tight as this gang of friends encounters a certain someone angrily storming through the castle yelling, “FEE-FI-NACHO-CHEESE! I SMELL THE BREATH OF SNACK THIEVES! BE THEY YOUNG OR BE THEY OLD, I’LL SMUSH THEM INTO A JELL-O MOLD!” 

This fractured fairy tale is a great way of engaging children in a conversation of what is similar and different from the original story.  The humor of the Land of Fake-Believe plays well off of traditional fairy tales so be sure to also check out a copy of Jack and the Beanstalk. Have fun comparing and contrasting elements of both stories. 

Early chapter book readers in grades 1-3 will enjoy the colorful illustrations and the graphic 
novel like design. This series is aimed at newly independent readers and features easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, thereby boosting reading confidence and stamina.

--Alison R., Headquarters

Review: "Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible" by Ursula Vernon

Who do you get when you cross an evil witch, some royal rodents, and a cursed hamster wheel? "Harriet the Invincible," that's who! When Princess Harriet Hamsterbone realizes that a sinister curse has left her indestructible until her twelfth birthday, she decides to abandon her royal obligations and go on a hero's journey. Armed with her sword, her wits, and her trusty quail Mumfrey, Harriet sets out on a quest to slay dragons, ogrecats, and any other monster foolish enough to pick a fight. On Harriet's twelfth birthday, however, the curse backfires, and it is up to the rough-and-tough princess to save her family, her castle, and the entire royal court. Written by "Dragonbreath" author Ursula Vernon, the "Hamster Princess" series is sure to be a hit among royal readers young and old. Recommended for readers in grades three to five.

--MacKenzie S., Natural Bridge

Staff Review: "Red Riding Hood, Superhero" by Otis Frampton

There's something universally fun about twisted fairy tales, and Otis Frampton takes full advantage of this as he goes hog-wild with the story of Red Riding Hood in his new graphic novel, "Red Riding Hood, Superhero." After an encounter with an alien, Ruby Topper is left with a super-power enhanced red cape. When Professor Cornelius Grimm creates the Big Bad Wolf-Bot to kidnap Ruby’s Grandma, the President of the United States, Ruby dons her cape to become Red Riding Hood, Superhero! With silly twists galore, your young reader will be delighted to discover this unique take on an old tale. For second to fourth grade readers.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom" by Christopher Healy

"Prince Charming is afraid of old ladies. Didn't know that, did you?"

Sleeping Beauty was a selfish jerk. Cinderella’s Prince Charming was really good at ballroom dancing, but pretty much useless at everything else. Snow White was really awkward around other people. Wait, you don’t remember reading any fairy tale like that before? Well, that means that you haven’t yet read Christopher Healy’s rollicking book “The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.”

The story begins after the Princes Charming rescue Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White. For some reason, none of the bards in any of the kingdoms seem to remember that each prince actually has his own name, and they are all having a bit of trouble with their “true-love” princesses. So from four different kingdoms, the four princes—Duncan the loopy, Gustav the brute, Liam the hero, and Frederic the fop—set out to resolve their separate issues. Along the way they bump into each other and eventually decide to form the “League of Princes” and save their respective kingdoms from the evil witch Zaubera.

The princes blunder their way from danger to danger (like grumpy dwarfs and vegetarian trolls), but eventually come out on top with the help of a few princesses along the way. Filled with witty conversations, hilarious action scenes and engaging illustrations by Todd Harris, Healy has written a twisted fairy tale book that will appeal to both boys and girls ages 8-12, and would be an excellent read-aloud for the whole family. The adventure doesn’t have to finish at the end of the book, either, as “The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle” is due to be published next year.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. If you like fractured fairy tales and haven't yet read Sarah Beth Durst's "Into the Wild," then click the picture below to reserve a copy today!

The Three Little Pigs Retold

A big bad wolf, a housing development, and ninja pigs.  What's not to like?  Check out the book trailer for "The Three Ninja Pigs" by Corey Rosen Schwartz below.

 

 

For more ninja action, check out "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear" by David Bruins.

Or if you'd prefer another silly take on the three little pigs, take a look at  "The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark" by Ken Geist.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Staff Review: "The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas" by Tony Wilson

Does Cinderella make you yawn? Do you cringe every time you hear Snow White sing? Are you sick and tired of poofy, pretty pink princesses? Well, then, do I have to book for you! For all those wishing for something different, I am pleased to introduce you to Tony Wilson's "The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas"!

You all know the story of the princess and the pea, right? The prince finds the sensitive and true princess by placing a pea beneath a zillion mattresses.  Well, that method worked for Prince Henrik's older brother Hans, who married Princess Eva. So when Henrik decides that he wants to get married, he considers the same process, but decides that Eva is a little too sensitive. Henrik declares that his princess "didn't have to be beautiful or sensitive.  She just had to like hockey and camping and have a nice smile." And so the quest begins.  With every visiting girl, Henrik leaves out an old sleeping bag and camping mattress with an entire bag of frozen peas underneath. Needless to say, the hunt does not go well. At least until his old friend, Pippa, shows up to play some hockey and spy on Eva.

A tale of substance over sparkle, Henrik and Pippa's adventure will make you giggle and feel good. Illustrated with engaging pencil and collage pictures, Sue deGennaro's artwork adds to the fun with a retro feel. "The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas" will be a favorite with everyone who reads it, regardless of age or gender. 

--Andrea W., H.Q.  


P.S. For more fractured fairy tale fun, check out the titles below!

"Waking Beauty" by Leah Wilcox

"Falling for Rapunzel" by Leah Wilcox