Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Snarky spin on fairy tale aftermath in hilarious book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
At THE FAIRY TALE FAN CLUB, C.C. Cecily takes care of incoming mail for all the fairy tale heroes who are off living happily ever after (or not, as the case may be). Some letters are fannish and adoring, others snarky, suspicious-minded, or forlorn. Some are just seeking advice, like the long-haired young lady who asks now happily short-haired Rapunzel for her thoughts. Likewise, some of the responses they get are heartfelt and helpful, some oblivious, and some just plain silly. Sometimes poor C.C., who's just supposed to be relaying messages, is compelled to intervene.
Is It Any Good?
Happily ever after may not be as advertised, but there's a laugh a minute as the heroes of oft-told tales answer questions from their readers, often involving a side of the story we haven't seen yet. Like the suspicious-minded kid who writes to The Fairy Tale Fan Club questioning just how Red Riding Hood survived being devoured. Or another kid who can't believe the Emperor fell for the invisible-clothes scam. Or the prince who's questioning the whole premise of The Princess and the Pea, because peas are squishy, right? Long-suffering but hardworking curator C.C. Cecily has his work cut out for him—but as he says, it's good to see things from different perspectives.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories that show another side of fairy tales and their characters, as happens in The Fairy Tale Fan Club. Why do you think this is such a popular storytelling theme? Do you have any favorites?
Some fairy tales have a lot of different versions—like The Little Mermaid, who spends a lot of time here explaining how the Disney version got it wrong. Why do you think this is?
If you could ask a fairy tale character a question and get an answer, what would you ask?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : David Roberts
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy ( Fairy Tales )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Walker Books U.S.
- Publication date : October 1, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 133
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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