Twisted Tales: Unhinged Retellings of Beloved Children's Stories

by Noelle W. Ihli

The stories you read as a child have come unhinged!

Twisted Tales is a spooky, funny collection of parodies inspired by iconic children’s books. Each story has been reimagined with a horror twist to deliver a delightful blend of chills and chuckles.

Enjoy twenty topsy-turvy tales
This collection of dark (but not TOO dark) stories is guaranteed to deliver laughs—and a few goosebumps.

Ready for an uncanny trip down memory lane? You’ll never see your favorite stories the same way again!

"Witty and darkly funny, Twisted Tales is full of nightmare fuel for all ages!"
—Steph Nelson, author of The Vein

"These twisted takes on classic stories will spook children one minute and crack them up the next. There are little gems sprinkled in specifically to make parents giggle. The whimsical illustrations perfectly mirror the book’s playful, irreverent tone."
—Dave Terruso, author of The Snake Lady Swallows You Whole

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Anthologies, Short Stories

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she's not plotting her next thriller, she's scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

Reviews

[Maddy (maddys_needful_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Tales is a fun, illustrated collection of twenty dark and unhinged retellings of children's stories. Some a silly, some are gross, most are absolutely hilarious. This collection is ideal for reading with a friend/significant other, so you can laugh together at the dark humor.

I don't want to give too much away, because most of the stories are very short, and a lot of the fun comes from being surprised by the absurdity of them. (I also have to mention how gorgeous the over is!)

I see some reviews asking who the ideal audience is, or saying these are too dark. I'm confused by that, because everything about the cover and synopsis tells you that these are unhinged, horror retellings. The ideal audience is people who would enjoy that! So, yes, there are really depressing parts and horrifying stories; I know plenty of people whom I'd buy this for, but it certainly wouldn't be someone who doesn't like horror. It also has to be someone who would enjoy the silliness. Overall, I had a ton of fun with it, and would recommend it to most of my horror-loving friends.

(TW for animal and pet death, among other general horrors).

— Thank you so much to Noelle Ihli for gifting me a copy of your book!

[clumsyplankton · Rating 2 out of 5]

They weren’t absolutely terrible. Some were fun to read but overall the majority were bad

[Rachael Fryman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Childhood classics but make them gruesome! This book twists classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Oh The Places You'll Go, and If You Give a Mouse A Cookie. Short, twisted and at time very funny.

As a librarian, I was probably easily fall into the target audience for this book. But I definitely had a hard time placing the target age with the student population. It was too dark and gruesome for littles who are currently reading the classics that are referenced here, and the social commentary and certain elements that reflected life as an adult will definitely go over the heads of middle grade readers, but I don't think this would be as appealing to YA readers. It seems like this will be a big hit with a very certain niche of readers - me being one!

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Twisted Tales by Noelle W. Ihli is a collection of twenty short, whimsical, and sometimes spooky parodies inspired by iconic children's books. The book features imaginative and eerie illustrations that capture its playful, irreverent, and occasionally unsettling tone.

Each story takes a cherished children's book and reimagines it with a twist of horror or dark comedy, creating a unique blend of chills and laughter.
One line specifically that made me laugh out loud was: "He grew and he grew until he was a grown man with a wife and kids and a therapist."

Those who enjoy horror, dark comedy, and twisted fairy-tale retellings will find this book delightful, offering both nightmare fuel and an entertaining horror-comedy experience.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

October 2023
Kindle edition

This was fun. It’s a long the lines of what I wanted when I switched out fairytales for the Grimm version. Twisted retellings of harmless children’s books and no happy endings. The hungry caterpillar is a monster, Green eggs and clams are food poisoning and The tiger coming to lunch chows down. Nice creepy twists for Halloween.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every classic, cherished book from your young childhood has been warped into a tale of horror. And I freaking love it. This book is absolutely hilarious and the perfect start to my Halloween reading.

[Megyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted Tales is a short story collection of popular children’s stories with a dark twist. We have things like the hungry caterpillar, the giving tree, and many others. This author is the writer of many other popular thrillers that I’m interested in checking out.

This book was a good short collection. It was creepy and twisty and dark. I won’t say much since it’ll be a spoiler. It also had some creepy illustrations, which added a lot to the stories.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Dynamite books for the arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

[BookstagramSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was fun. Unhinged retelling of kids stories… yes please. If you’re looking for a little pallet cleanser and for a good laugh, this is a great book!!
Loved that it was illustrated as well. I’m a huge fan of Noelle’s work so I had to get this book!

I’d say this is perfect for adult horror book lovers and teens!

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some we weird. Some were scary. I did not like the blueberry one and the octopus one. I didn't like the bear one either. Some just were 5 sentences and then was over an dmade no sense. I liked the last one because there was no dying and just funnies

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's an intriguing anthologie of macabre stories but it could be a bit too dark for children.
On the other side I enjoyed the creepy and weird story, an interesting take on horror.
Recommended to adults.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure who the ideal audience is for this book. It might be too dark for little kids, but too cringey for older ones. I liked the spin on the classic children stories, but only like two or three. The others were too absurd or just weird to me, personally. I will add that some made me laugh with how silly it was.

I don't think I'd read this again. But it is a quick read and might be your thing to read this Spooky Halloween season.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute fun read of short stories with a twist!! Totally loved them. Found myself laughing out loud one moment and then saying awweeeeee the next

[tracy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retellings of children's stories with a dark twist. Nice, quick read.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun conceptually, but the stories were hit or miss for me. The overall tone of the book is quite defeatist and pessimistic—there's some pretty dark social commentary here, making it hard to see the humor that the synopsis promised.

In the end, I found most of the stories and concepts too dark for children, and the writing too basic for adults.

[Coley D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

What did I just read?! 😳

[Behind The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of horror and enjoy a good twist on classic tales, then you absolutely must read Twisted Tales: Unhinged Retellings of Beloved Children's Stories!
Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Noelle W. Ihli, Author has managed to capture the essence of the original stories while giving them a hilarious and twisted spin that will have you grinning from ear to ear.
What sets this book apart is the perfect combination of storytelling and artwork. The pictures not only add to the overall mood, but the illustrator has truly nailed the sense of horror and dread that accompanies these tales. It's rare to find such synergy between words and images, and it makes for a truly immersive and enjoyable experience.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. These stories are often associated with children, but let me assure you, this is not just a children's book. As an adult, I found myself thoroughly entertained by the clever wordplay and dark humor. It's refreshing to see these beloved stories brought to life in a way that appeals to a more mature audience.
So, if you're looking for a perfect read for this time of year, or if you simply enjoy a good horror twist, don't hesitate to pick up this book. It's a delightful and captivating read that will leave you wanting more. Trust me, you won't regret it.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭,
𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐠𝐠
𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫.
𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦!
𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘
𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫.
𝐀𝐧𝐝, 𝐨𝐡, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡.

As many others have said, there is a niche market for this book. Who that market is, I don't know, but I think anyone with a dark sense of humor who enjoys tongue in cheek humor will love this collection.

The illustrations were simultaneously whimsical, hilarious, and horrifying. My absolute favorites were "The Taking Tree," A parody of the Shel Silverstein classic "The Giving Tree". Maybe years of working in public education made me hate that story with its message of how we're supposed to give and give until we have nothing left. Noelle's rendition righted all those wrongs for me.

Another favorite was "Are You My Father?", the retold version of the Seuss classic "Are You My Mother?" This one is DARK and so damn funny with its social commentary.

I'm ending with "I'll Watch You Forever" that was modeled after the creepy "I'll Love You Forever." In this rendition, Mom is a helicopter parent who graduates to a full-blown stalker. The illustrations had me cackling. Once again, the social commentary is spot on.

This collection is dark, twisted, and needs to be a part of your collection. Available now!

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because (1) I’ve read ALL of Noelle W. Ihli’s thrillers for adults and she’s one of my top favorite authors, and (2) I am a retired children’s librarian who is familiar with every last one of the stories that these were based on, and felt it was basically required reading for me. I have never rated her books below 5 stars, so it was a personal struggle to even knock off one star. However, as a former children’s librarian, there is no way I would ever have read this to children, even middle school ones. It seems to me that these are most appropriate for adults who would get a tongue-in-cheek kick out of the mutilation of several “classics” for children. Some of the situations and the vocabulary are far beyond a child’s reading and interest levels. Maybe for teens who grew up with these stories? Maybe so. I think if it was not billed as a children’s book, it probably would have gotten higher ratings. If judging it as a young adult or adult book, I think more people would have thought better of it. I am sure many people who reviewed this were thinking of it in terms of a child’s book. On a brighter note, this author has a new adult thriller coming out next week, and I cannot wait! It is already pre-ordered. If anyone reading this review loves a good thriller, you should definitely look into this author’s adult books!

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are there even words to describe how much I loved this one?
Also, this is NOT your regular fairytale retelling. Nowhere near it.
I know many may disagree here, but I’d label this one as a kid-friendly horror book. Of course, read it first for yourself and you know your kids best, it might not be suitable for everyone.

Yet it was totally suitable for my horror-loving tween who enjoyed it immensely.

My own favorite? The Taking Tree. You do know the classic of The Giving Tree? Yeah, I have always hated the original Giving Tree. Such a useless, senseless martyrdom. And a dumb one too. That’s the most unhealthy and most horrible “beautiful” tale of “virtues” and “goodness” out there, and it should be burned and banned (lol, I know, banning books, lol, yay!). But The Taking Tree takes it to the next level and makes it all right in the world. please, let’s replace every version of the stupid Giving Tree with this most awesome Taking Tree! The original Giving Tree was/is unhinged. The Taking Tree puts all the hinges in their rightful palaces and then adds a few more for good measure. Just to make sure, you know.

Somehow, I honestly think @noelleihliauthor has done the best job ever here. The. Best.

[Caralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darkly funny and subversive collection of retellings of popular children's books. The stories are kind of hit or miss - some of them are absolutely hilarious, some are just kind of mid, some are a little too on the nose, but overall I enjoyed them. This book is geared towards a pretty niche type of reader though. It's not for small kids, as the themes and the humour are quite dark, and a lot of it wouldn't land for them. Older kids and tweens who enjoy potty humour and think references to farts and diarrhea are comedy gold, or teens and adults who enjoy weirdness and revisiting nostalgia ironically, will have a good time with this book. The illustrations are starkly humorous and creepy, especially the fantastic cover. 3.5 stars for the story, half a bonus star for the art.

Thank you to the author, illustrator, publisher, and to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Memorymaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like maybe there is s specific audience for this delightful gem of a book, and apparently I fall into that audience! The book makes no apologies - it is exactly what the title says it is. The stories are unhinged and will make you think about what was wrong with the top children's books of your youth. Seeing macabre elements in classics like Goodnight Moon and I'll Love You Forever is jarring but makes the stories more interesting while pointing out some problematic flaws in the originals.

The Taking Tree was such a breath of fresh air for me - I have never liked The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and the a-hole kid in that story. It was nice to see it turned on it's heels and the kid getting what he deserved.

In addtion, I really enjoyed the drawings which were disturbingly and hilariously gruesome.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this. I enjoyed every second of this book. The author retells several stories, from The giving tree to Amelia Bedelia to Goodnight Moon.
While retelling the stories, she manages to keep the feeling of the original stories, such as the rhyme scheme or mood, while telling the stories in an entirely new and hilariously twisted way. As a devout horror fan, I found myself grinning through most of the book.
The pictures added to the mood, and the illustrator did an amazing job adding to the sense of horror and dread. I highly recommend this book -- although I would recommend that if your children read it, you stay with them to comfort them.

[Steph Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I LOVE Noelle Ihli and I am ALWAYS excited to read her books. This book was a change of pace from what she usually writes. It’s a compilation of short stories. They are spoofs of old Children stories most of us grew up hearing. She twisted them into gloomy tails with dreadful endings. The stories were fun and fast paced. None of them were very long, I personally feel like some of the stories needed a little bit more to complete them. Had those stories had more details, I may have rated the book a bit higher. But I will most definitely be buying the paperback copy to have on my self and to read to my boys when they are a bit older!

[Jenna Stensland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book! They certainly are twisted. Extremely twisted. And extremely fun. I might just be the perfect demographic for these as I have read all of the originals as a child and to my own children in the last few years. I was wondering exactly who these are for? Middle Schoolers maybe? I don't see high schoolers having the same connection but it is too twisted for those under middle school. I did read one or two of the less twisted ones to my 8 year old. Such as the spin on if you give a mouse a cookie. Maybe the target audience is parents! Parents who might be a little fed up with reading Goodnight Moon for the 50th time. Four stars if you are in the same demographic as me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Marillyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you ready to read the Twisted Tales? Are you ready to have your childhood favorites dance at the back of your brain while you enjoy Noelle's Twisted take?
I was able to read this whole book on my lunch break. My favorite Twisted Tales were If You Give A Rat A Cracker and I'll Watch You Fovever. Noelle does a wonderful job of paying homage to the classic while adding her flair. I enjoyed the art by Rein G.  Especially the portrait she did of the Burnstain Bears.
Thank you to NetGalley, Noelle W. Ihli & Dynamite Books for this ARC. This book is well be released in a few days so pre order now.

[Summer R Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Noelle W. Lhli and NetGalley for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

I absolutely loved reading this. The pictures that go along with each retelling were on par, and I didn't stop till the very end. Each story is the opposite of the original in either a terrible way or an extreme. This I think is more for young adults than children. Almost all the stories end in death. Bur they do teach important lessons.

I will definitely read this again as I enjoyed it so much.

If I had any complaints, it would be that I want more! I truly enjoyed each retelling and even had a laugh, and these stories truly were twisted.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jon's review (Age 9): 3 stars. Those stories were scary and I might have nightmares. My favourite one was the last one, The King's New Clothes.

Savannah's review (Age 13): 2 stars. some were weird, some were scary. I did not like the Blueberry one and the octopus one. I didn't like the Berenstain Bears one either. Some stories were very short. I liked the last one the best because there was no dying and just funnyness.

These stories did focus on death quite a bit, I was hoping the stories would be more funny than scary. Definitely wouldn't recommend for younger kids or very sensitive kids, on the other hand my daughter's friend loves horror and she would love this book for sure!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've Been reading this one with my kids at dinner and they've found it hilariously dark. Their favourites were The Taking Tree and Are You My Father?
I would have to agree. They were my favourite too.
The only downfall for them was the art. It's great art, don't get me wrong, but I think with the imagery provided in the stories some colour, and larger images would have really added something to it.
I look forward to seeing the full release.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

[Bailey Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was dying of laughter reading this book (but don’t tell Amelia Medelia, or else she’d be horrified to see me still alive). Having read so many of those children’s tales growing up, I loved reading a much darker twist on them as an adult. It’s a quick and fun read, and even more great to read before Halloween.

The little drawings as well made it still feel like a children’s book as well which as a fun addition. Definitely not for super young kids, but any older kids and adults that love dark humor like I do, would find this book hilarious

[Alexa | alexahasread · Rating 4 out of 5]

💥 Pub Date: 10/20/2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

• retellings of childhood stories with a spooky twist
• clever writing
• creepy illustrations

This collection of short stories is such a fun read for Spooky Szn! I remembered so many of these stories from my childhood and really enjoyed the fun/creepy twist to them. My favorite was The Tree!

🗣️ Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review your book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.