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vacanthungarian's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is an excellent children's book. Rather than one long story that may be daunting for some of the slower kids, there's a bunch of vaguely familiar short stories. Loosely based on old fairytales, but with a multicultural twang.
brettec's review
5.0
A fantastic collection of modern fairy tales. They have all the things I've always loved about fairy tales including the language, morals, pacing - everything that's needed to make a story feel like a fairy tale. I loved every minute of it.
gracegreenlaw's review
3.0
Blackberry Blue provides a selection of short stories that have the feel of traditional tales while making links to the modern day. The stories could definitely be compared to those of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen as they are quite gruesome and grisly but also simultaneously feel quite different as they represent a far more diverse group of children which makes the book engaging and personal. While I liked the more modern, diverse take on traditional tales I found many of the stories to be quite scary or creepy and some of the descriptions are quite graphic and gruesome. Although the chapters were short, I was not particularly motivated to read on once I finished the end of any of them.
The clearest patterns throughout the book were the structure with each story starting with a problem, the character going through a time of hardship and then everything being righted in the end. In most of the stories there was a witch or sorcerer who caused the problems in the first place. As a result this book could be good to work on for making inferences or predictions. To make a receptive context you could bring in items from nature such as twigs, leaves and flowers for children to explore or perhaps hang up a purple cloak and ask children who they think it belongs to.
The clearest patterns throughout the book were the structure with each story starting with a problem, the character going through a time of hardship and then everything being righted in the end. In most of the stories there was a witch or sorcerer who caused the problems in the first place. As a result this book could be good to work on for making inferences or predictions. To make a receptive context you could bring in items from nature such as twigs, leaves and flowers for children to explore or perhaps hang up a purple cloak and ask children who they think it belongs to.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of newly written Fairy Tales by Jamila whose themes and characters may, to some extent, seem familiar yet with added twists. Lush illustrations and encourages a re-thinking of those established tales.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
The premise behind this retelling of European fairytales was to rewrite stories which cover a diverse range of cultures and societies. The book tells six stories which are both familiar and unfamiliar and, for me, this was part of their appeal. I like some more than others but especially loved The Purple Lady which I thought was magnificent in its telling and scope. Recognition should also go to Richard Collingridge's illustrations which, I felt, supported the sense of diversity.
bardicbramley's review
4.0
A beautiful collection of classical European fairytales told through the mind of a modern day European.
The stories follow the traditional format of a fantasy tale with strong moral (each of which can be found as a brief introductory scented W at the beginning of the stories) but with an healthy dose of wider inclusion and diversity in characters and settings.
The stories follow the traditional format of a fantasy tale with strong moral (each of which can be found as a brief introductory scented W at the beginning of the stories) but with an healthy dose of wider inclusion and diversity in characters and settings.
heartframes's review
4.0
this book is so whimsical and kinda disturbing too. but i loved the way all the fairytales were written and enjoyed reading this book!
kaybethbookish's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0