Modern Retellings of Fairytales

When my son was a toddler, I questioned whether he'd ever become familiar with the fairly tales I grew up with.

I didn't hear them being taught in his preschool, and the books I used as a teacher were packed away.

But that didn't last very long because fairy tales are referenced everywhere. In television shows, movies, and books.

Of course, nowadays, more PC versions are available, and that doesn't surprise me. Because let's face it- there's lots of meanies, death, despair, and wolves in fairy tales.

So recently, I went to my teacher box and pulled out the books I loved. The books that take traditional fairy tales and mashes them up.

Jon Scieszka books.

Like, THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS.
In this book, the Big Bad Wolf (who asks to be called Al) recounts his version of what really happened in the story of The Three Little Pigs.
I admit it's for kids six years and older. My little guy was amused and said the wolf must be lying!

*****

Another Scieszka book is THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES

If geese had graves, Mother Goose would be rolling in hers.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales retells--and wreaks havoc on--the allegories we all thought we knew by heart. In these irreverent variations on well-known themes, the ugly duckling grows up to be an ugly duck, and the princess who kisses the frog wins only a mouthful of amphibian slime.
*****

And last (but not least), is Scieszka's SQUIDS WILL BE SQUIDS.

In this one, Jon makes up his own fables, and they are HYSTERICAL.
My son's favorite:

SKUNK, MUSK OX AND CABBAGE were sitting on the porch at Skunk's house.
Slowly but surely, the porch filled with a terrible smell.
"Whoa!" said Skunk. "Is that you, Musk Ox?"
Musk Ox shook his shaggy head.
"No way, Skunk. That's Cabbage."
"UH uh," Said Cabbage. "That's not me."
Musk Ox and Cabbage looked back at Skunk, who suddenly became very interested in tying his shoe.
MORAL OF THE STORY: HE WHO SMELT IT, DEALT IT!

*****

So here's to you, Jon Scieszka! Keep bringing it!


(credit: amazon.com)