What’s the book about?
It’s once upon a time . . . as only the irreverently witty Richard Ayoade can tell it. In this series of letters organized by C. C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club, the fairest of them all (and a few bitter foes) correspond with curious—and opinionated—fans. So if you’ve ever wondered how a less-than-genius (and less-than-clothed) emperor fell for a certain con, how the Big Bad Wolf is handling meatless Mondays, or whether Rapunzel recommends going for the big chop, no need to look far, far away. Multihyphenate Richard Ayoade, author of The Book That No One Wanted to Read, hilariously imagines what questions modern children would have for characters such as Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming, and Little Red Riding Hood—and what they might have to say in return. Complete with clever, spoof-gothic illustrations from David Roberts, this wry storybook may have even the Brothers Grimm cackling in their graves.
Recommended for:
Ages 8+.
Three reasons to read it:
- The vibrant illustrations by Roberts perfectly complement Ayoade’s text. His distinctive style brings the characters and settings to life, adding a layer of visual humour and charm. Each page is filled with quirky details, making it a treat for both kids and adults alike.
- Ayoade brings his signature wit and creativity to this enchanting tale. The story weaves together the whimsical and the absurd, challenging traditional fairy tale tropes in a way that’s both hilarious and insightful. Ayoade’s clever narrative will have you chuckling and pondering what it truly means to be a “fan” of fairy tales.
- At the heart of The Fairy Tale Fan Club is a delightful exploration of friendship and community. As the characters come together to celebrate their love for fairy tales, the story highlights the importance of finding your tribe and sharing passions with others. It’s a heart-warming reminder that connection and collaboration can lead to the most magical adventures!
Buy a copy of The Fairy Tale Fan Club here.
About the author:
Richard Ayoade is a highly-tolerated British comedian, BAFTA-winning actor (The IT Crowd), writer, director and TV presenter (the 2021 BAFTAS, Have I Got News For You?, Travel Man). He regularly appears on comedy panel shows such as 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. He wrote and directed the film Submarine from the novel by Joe Dunthorne, and directed and co-wrote (with Avi Korine) The Double. He has written three books on film. His highly-acclaimed first children’s book, The Book That No One Wanted to Read, was published in 2022.
David Roberts is the author-illustrator of the Dirty Bertie books and the illustrator of many books for children, including the bestselling Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, written by Andrea Beaty; the Kate Greenaway-shortlisted The Dunderheads; non-fiction children’s book Suffragette: The Battle for Equality; and the picture books The Dumpster Diver and His Royal Tinyness. Born in Liverpool, he now lives in London.
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