Tell a Fairy Tale Day

As a self-proclaimed fairy tale nut, I am not sure how this fact escaped me before, but today is "Tell a Fairy Tale Day" (thanks to the blogging crew behind YALSA's The Hub for the head's up)!

To celebrate, here's a super-quick list of some of the many fairy tale retellings and novelizations available:

East: Edith Pattou
One of my all-time favorite fairy tale novelizations, Pattou spins a very detailed and gorgeous version of the Norse fairy tale "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon"

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow: Jessica Day George
Another take on the "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon" tale - I love seeing how different authors tell the same story. Everyone has their own interpretation, but the heart is always the same.

Beastly, Cloaked, and A Kiss in Time: Alex Flinn
Flinn has a number of fairy tale novelizations, bringing the traditional tales into modern/contemporary settings, with a unique twist. I look forward to Towering, where she tackles the Rapunzel story.

Wildwood Dancing: Juliet Marillier
A blend of many fairy tales, in one gorgeous story, this one will sweep you off your feet into a new enchanted world. Seriously, it's that well-written. I had a lot of fun picking out all the different fairy tales woven into the mix.

Enchanted: Alethea Kontis
Another tale that pulls from many fairy tales to tell one story, and the proposed beginning of a new series. I know I was left wanting more of the Woodcutter family's stories!

Beauty and Rose Daughter: Robin McKinley
It's one thing to read the novelizations of one fairy tale written by different authors, but McKinley wrote two different versions of "Beauty and the Beast" herself! Beauty, the first, is a sweet retelling that is enchanting in its simplicity. Rose Daughter, in contrast, is a much more detailed, elaborate retelling, with slightly darker edges. Both are beautiful stories, and each has its own appeal.

Fairest: Gail Carson Levine
Here's a unique twist on the "Snow White" story, where the Mirror has a devilish mind of its own, and Aza (our "Snow White") isn't necessarily the most beautiful in the land. Set in the same fantasy kingdom as Ella Enchanted (an interesting retelling of "Cinderella").

The Frog Princess series: E.D. Baker
This is a fun and entertaining series that begins with The Frog Princess - in which a spell goes horribly awry, jump-starting a whole host of adventures.

Entwined: Heather Dixon
A surprisingly deep novelization of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," that I didn't want to end.

Mermaid: Carolyn Turgeon
A fairy tale geared for adults, this lush retelling of "The Little Mermaid" takes readers on quite an emotional journey. Beautifully written, with perfect pacing, it will keep you reading - and catch you by surprise.

The above is just a quick sampling of the fairy tale retellings available for your reading pleasure ... and this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface! There are breathtakingly gorgeous picture books, and many more novelizations. And the movies! Oh, the movies!

Why not join the celebration, and share your favorite fairy tale! The world needs more "Once upon a time" ...

(Links go to Goodreads pages)