Last year I read and reviewed one of Shurtliff’s other retelling books, Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk , and really loved it! I really can’t wait to read this one and definitely had to say yes when I was invited to do this blog tour! These MG novels are some I HIGHLY recommend for kids, and any age really!Â
If you could be any fairy-tale character, who would you be and what would you do?
Off the top of my head, if I could choose to be any fairy-tale character in the world it seems logical that I would choose to be someone magical, powerful, or part-human, like a mermaid. Iâve always wanted to be a mermaid. As a child I fantasized about it at the pool. Iâd put those diving rings around my ankles and try to swim like a mermaid. (Itâs pretty tough without fins.)Â
But that was childhood. Now I am a grown woman, a wife and mother of three children, so Iâm drawn more to the practical. Life is very busy. When Iâm not surrounded by people and noise, Iâm surrounded by their messes and stuff, which creates its own kind of noise. So, keeping that in mind, if I could choose to be any fairy-tale character in the world, I would be Rapunzel.Â
Yep. Locked in a high tower with a mile of hair, no one for company except a witch, who, from all I can gather, doesnât visit all that often. This translates into lots of me time. ME! No one to cook for or clean up after. No deadlines. Iâd read all those books piling up on my nightstand. Iâd do yoga every day. I could probably use my own hair as a mat, so long as itâs woven in just the right way. (Iâd have time to figure that out.)Â
At night I would star gaze and teach myself the constellations. If I started to feel really lonely, Iâd sing songs to myself, and to the birds, because honestly, any self-respecting princess-in-a-tower will sing to birds.Â
Eventually, after many years, I will start to feel lonely, like something is missing in my life, but Iâm not sure what. Itâs like a little hole somewhere in my chest or stomach or brain, and no matter what I do or eat or sing, nothing seems to fill it. In fact it seems to be getting bigger. Iâll talk to the witch about this hole, and sheâll brush it off as hormones, until one day the thing that has been missing suddenly appears. Chocolate. The witch left a chunk of dark chocolate with almonds and sea salt. I pick it up, sniff it, take a bite and the hole is suddenly filled.Â
That evening, a stranger comes to the tower. Heâs handsome and I feel strangely drawn to him. Sort of like the pressure I feel on my head when the witch is climbing my hair, but more pleasant. Heâll ask me if I want to escape the tower and run away with him, have some children and do all the cooking and laundry.Â
âIs there chocolate?â Iâd ask.Â
âAs much as you want,â heâd say.Â
It sounds like a fair trade to me, so I climb down using my own hair. (Why didnât I think of this before?!)Â
And weâll live happily ever after, with lots of noise, messes, children, and chocolate. Â
Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff
on April 12th 2016
Buy the Book ⢠Goodreads
Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. Sheâs not afraid of anything . . . except magic.
But when Redâs granny falls ill, it seems that only magic can save her, and fearless Red is forced to confront her one weakness.
With the help of a blond, porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red goes on a quest to cure Granny. Her journey takes her through dwarvesâ caverns to a haunted well and a beastâs castle. All the while, Red and Goldie are followed by a wolf and a huntsmanâtwo mortal enemies who seek the girlsâ help to defeat each other. And one of them just might have the magical solution Red is looking for. . . .
Liesl Shurtliff weaves a spellbinding tale, shining the spotlight on a beloved character from her award-winning debut, Rump.Â
And don't miss Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, "a delightful story of family, perseverance and courage" (Booklist).
- Tuesday, February, 2: Seeing Double In Neverland, Review
- Wednesday, February, 3: MundieMoms/Kids, Review
- Thursday, February, 4: BookHounds, Author Interview
- Friday, February, 5: The Lovely Books, Review
- Saturday, February, 6: I’m Shelf-ish, Guest Post
- Sunday, February, 7: Â Kid Lit Frenzy, Review
- Monday, February, 8: Mel’s Shelves, Review
- Tuesday, February, 9: Once Upon A Twilight, Author Random Facts
- Wednesday, February, 10: SciFiChick.com, Review
- Thursday, February, 11: Swoony Boys Podcast, Review
- Friday, February, 12: Bittersweet Enchantment, Review
- Saturday, February, 13: WinterHaven Books, Review except 18
- Sunday, February, 14: The Cover Contessa, Review
- Monday, February, 15: Pandora’s Books, Review
- Tuesday, February, 16: On Starships and Dragonwings, Review
- Wednesday, February, 17: As They Grow Up, Review
- Thursday, February, 18: Owl Always Be Reading, Review
- Friday, February, 19: Such a Novel Idea, Playlist and Review
- Saturday, February, 20: The Children’s Book Review, A Selfie and a Shelfie
- Sunday, February, 21: The Mod Podge Bookshelf, Author Movie Cast
- Monday, February, 22: Katie’s Clean Book Collection, Review
- Tuesday, February, 23: Words We Heart, Review
- Wednesday, February, 24: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, Author Guest Post
- Thursday, February, 25: Confessions of a Readaholic, Review
- Friday, February, 26: Bookish Antics, Review
- Saturday, February, 27: Bumbles and Fairy-Tales, Review
- Sunday, February, 28: Valerie’s Reviews, Review
- Monday, February, 29: Lili’s Reflections, Review
- Tuesday, March, 1: To Read, or Not To Read, Review
- Wednesday, March 2: Stories & Sweeties, Review
- Thursday, March 3: Cafinated Reads, Review
- Friday, March 4: The Book Monsters, Review
- Saturday, March 5: Twinning for Books, Review
- Sunday, March 6: Curling Up With A Good Book, Review
- Monday, March 7: The Compulsive Reader, Review
- Tuesday, March 8: The Reading Nook Reviews, Review
- Wednesday, March 9: Resch Reads and Reviews, Review
- Thursday, March 10: Beauty and the Bookshelf, Review
- Friday, March 11: Xpresso Reads, Review
- Saturday, March 12: Diamondâs Reads, Review
- Sunday, March 13: Blissful Book Reviews, Review
- Monday, March 14: Vi3tbabe, Review
- Tuesday, March 15: The Book Cellar, Review
This made me laugh so hard. I loved it. If I could be in a fairytale I would pick Alice in Wonderland. I would fit right in. I’m very curious about these books cause I love fairy tales and I love mg so ….ya know. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
â¤ï¸Britt
Britt READ THEM!! Seriously Jack is super super cute! I still need to get Rump, and I will be reading this one soon!
I’d choose Alice in Wonderland because during her adventures, she not only meets some truly unique characters but the adventure and characters together force her to discover who she is&what she wants which leads to aquiring self acceptance&confidence.
I love this! â¥
I’ve always been partial to all the different Cinderella retellings, although I’m not a huge fan of the Disney version.
Cinderella isn’t one of my faves either, but I love a lot of retellings too!
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale.
This is one of my top ones!
I love your Rapunzel/me time answer!! I’m definitely a Little Mermaid girl. But I love fairy tale rewrites in all shapes and sizes!
I LOVE Ariel, but I think Jasmine is my top pick, with Alice and Ariel following close behind!
I would probably be Goldilocks – I am very, very curious which sometimes leads to unintentional troublemaking.
Ohhhh that’s a good one!
beauty & the beast
ð Good pick!
My favorite has always been Little Red Riding Hood, so I am looking forward to reading this.
I hope you do!!
Ahh, these books looks SO CUTE ð Wishing I could read them. <3 But can't afford to buy them just yet. Ugh. One day, I hope ð So glad you love them Crystal. <3 Stunning blog tour post sweetie. Thank you so much for sharing about this book ð
I am entering on behalf of my family two kids vote for Rapunzel (she has awesome hair and doesn’t really sit around), my wife also votes for Rapunzel. I vote for Puss in Boots as he seems to be able to get his way (in Shrek anyways). Honorable mention to The Huntsman for me.
I really love Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid!
Mine is The Brothers’ Grimm
My favorite fairytale is Little Red Riding Hood.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sleeping Beauty is a favorite of mine and not just because I like the idea of waking up as a lovely blonde after a couple centuries of slumber!
My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I love humble characters who teach others to be the same way!
I guess it would be Goldilocks. I’m like a hundred years old, so it’s hard to remember.
Cinderella
Good choice!
Hello Crystal! Thank you very much for this amazing opportunity!! My favourite fairy tale is Alice nel paese delle meraviglie (it is the Italian name for Alice in wonderland)!! I still love it and I adore the retellings!! Kisses from Italy