Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sly combo of two fairy tales makes for literary magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Three brave, hardy dwarves make their way to a dark-haired queen and tell her that a wave of sleeping sickness threatens her kingdom. Forgoing her wedding plans, the queen sets off with the dwarves in search of a castle shrouded by thorns, wherein lies a princess cursed by a wicked witch. By the end of THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE, the queen and her short companions discover secrets that will change their outlook on life and magic.
Is It Any Good?
With gorgeous black-and-while illustrations (with a touch of gold), this clever combination and retelling of two classic fairy tales brims with literary magic. Readers who like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty will see that this sly new take offers twists and turns in unpredictable directions. Neil Gaiman's prose and Chris Riddell's drawings mesh precisely, and their latest collaboration should appeal to a wide range of readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why folk and fairy tales have endured for centuries. What is it about these stories that make them so compelling to modern audiences?
How do people make choices when confronted by a dilemma? Isn't acting the same as making a choice?
Can you tell whether someone is "good" or "bad" just by looking at the person?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Chris Riddell
- Genre : Fairy Tale
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : September 22, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 64
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate