Once upon a time was only the start... welcome to the Fairytale Woods! Listen to the big bad wolf's hilarious secret diary in this instant bestseller from author, comedian and actor Ben Miller.
'I need to raise my game again now spring is here, and get back in shape. Show the pack and the rest of these woods I’m BIG and I’m BAD, and I’m not to be messed with.'
The big bad wolf hasn’t had a great winter. He's cold, lonely and hungry . . . But things are about to change – he’s going to take the Fairytale Woods by STORM.
But while he knows he’s BIG and BAD, no one else seems to be scared of him, they just keep meddling with his plans – the troll under the bridge, the three annoying pigs, and that pesky Little Red Riding Hood! This is going to take all his brain power and his most cunning smile, to catch Grandma and reclaim his place at the top of the food chain!
Come down to the Fairytale Woods and discover what your favourite characters are really thinking in the bestselling series from Ben Miller, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.
A short, very amusing story by Ben Miller with our anti-hero, the Big Bad Wolf, and a number of other well-known fairytale figures such as Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs (of course), The witch from Hansel and Gretl, and the troll from Billy Goat Gruff. The Big Bad Wolf (BBW) is not quite the great lupine specimen he would like to think he is. He is lazy (thrown out of the pack for not pulling his weight), unfit and very, very hungry. He is also arrogant, rude, bigoted about his food and gullible. Despite these flaws, a number of the characters try to help him, but he rejects them – suspecting ulterior motives (granted, sometimes they just want a good laugh) and/or vegetarian food. BBW is a carnivore plain and simple, and his pride would never allow him to eat plants. He would rather die. And it soon becomes apparent, that might be his fate if he doesn’t get to eat something soon. Little Red Riding Hood is not so naïve in this story as usual. She is very clever, and constantly keeping the BBW on his toes. She is also very kind hearted. The story reminded me a bit of ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ crossed with the cartoon ‘Road Runner’. What the BBW has to learn is to not look a gift horse in the mouth, appearances can be deceiving and friends can be found in strange places. I listened to this book on Audible. Ben Miller did a very good ob of the narration, with some great voices (especially the troll). I didn’t think much of his wolf howl – but then we are talking about a rather pathetic wolf, so it probably fit. Highly recommended either to read or to listen to.
This book looked so much fun so I bumped it up my TBR pile. The big, bad wolf hasn’t had a great winter. He's cold, lonely and hungry . . . But things are about to change – he’s going to take the Fairytale Woods by STORM.
But while he knows he’s BIG and BAD, no one else seems to be scared of him, they just keep meddling with his plans – the troll under the bridge, the three annoying pigs, and that pesky Little Red Riding Hood! This is going to take all his brain power and his most cunning smile, to catch Grandma and reclaim his place at the top of the food chain!
How well do we know the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Well I thought I knew the story pretty well, well it turns out that we all forgot the Wolf’s side of the story. Lawrence (the wolf) has had a hard time of it recently, he’s fresh out of hibernation, he’s hungry, he has been kicked out of his pack and accident prone. And he’s actually not so much of a baddie. Written in the form of a diary we follow Lawrence in this hilarious book as he tries so hard to get something to eat. With hilarious pictures you will have the time of your life reading this book.
I love a twisted tale and I liked the short sharp diary style. It was fun to read like a big bad wolf. This one is a super fast read, with lots of laughs and the ending was a new finish for me. Great read allowed novel. I think I know someone who might like a lend of this one.
Evelyn (age 8) says "I liked that it was set in a fairytale and it was a diary of the big bad wolf. I thought it was really creative and I think Ben Miller came up with a really great idea, he spent a long time to make the book for all of us so he should be really happy and pleased."
Alice (age 5) says "I love that book because I love all of the fairy tales and Lawrence was really funny and this is the best book ever so everyone needs to read this book so you need to. And I'm going to tell you a part, that is, there is a troll under the bridge that says BRIDGE TAX and Little Red Riding Hood told the Big Bad Wolf so many lies and tricked him once. The End".
Mummy/Nichola "I saw Ben Miller promoting this book on TV recently. It sounded a funny take on the Big Bad Wolf, so treated the kids. It was a great read, kids loved it, very funny, great illustrations. A great bed time read for the kids".
We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood or, do we?
In this retelling of the Classic Fairytale we hear the story from Lawrence’s point of view. Just out of hibernation he’s on the look out for his first full meal of the season. Will that be the three pigs, whom happen to be good friends with Red? Or, will it be Red and Grandma?
Written in diary style, this fast paced story, allows those building their reading confidence to read short individual “chapters” (diary entries) with ease. Involving recognised characters, the reader will be familiar with, enjoy this new twist to the tale. Packed with humour, this is an enjoyable read, to read together or alone, with beautifully drawn illustrations.
The Big Bad Wolf has woken up ready to feast this spring but his hunting skills are not quite up to the task. Those three annoying little pigs keep giggling at him, Little Red Riding Hood somehow outsmarted him and the wolf pack won't let him join the annual spring barbeque! But he will prevail! After all he is the biggest, baddest wolf around, isn't he? Kids will have fun laughing at Big Bad's 'clever' ideas and Little Red being two steps ahead the whole way! This is a fun and silly story that takes fairy tales and turns them on their heads and has a bit of a message about eating vegetables (they really can be very tasty!). Excellent for middle grade readers 7-12.
I listened to the audiobook for this book, and found it to be adorable and very funny.
Ben Miller does such a great job reading the story, of the big bad wolf. You feel so much empathy for the poor guy, even though he does try, to eat little red riding hood, her grandma, and the three little pigs. At times it reminded me, of the Shrek movies with the different fairytale characters, popping up and playing a part in the story.
I'm glad Ben Miller, wrote another book dealing with retelling fairytales. I'm looking forward to also listening to it as well.
I listened to the audiobook and it was great! I didn’t really expect much from the beginning as the annoying wolf howling got on my nerves, but the story and how it was told was brilliant and would provide entertainment to a younger audience… Just a heads up the annoying howling at the end was what told me the book had finished! It really doesn’t need that to be a great story in my opinion.
God, I just loved this! Funny, charming, fairy tales all muddled up. Not everyone is what you expect them to be. Made me audibly laugh many a time. Mr Wolf and the folk of the woods have brought me so much joy… and gloriously illustrated! Would love more like this!
This was hilarious!!! I love this spinoff of a classic tale. Felt sorry for the poor guy cause all he wanted was some sausages. It’s also got fantastic messages mixed in the story as well as a wide range of loveable characters. Spice dog honestly slays. Glad Lawrence finally made some good friends.
Another disappointment - what is going on in children's fiction?!
Gets a second star for the illustrations, but when you compare this to a classic like "Clever Polly and the stupid wolf" of the last century, well, it's an insipid imitation.
Reimagined story featuring classic fairytale characters told in diary form from the big bad wolfs perspective. Simple spacious word layout plus monochromatic illustrations. Suit those moving on from their very first chapter books (eg/Billie B Brown/Hey Jack).
Told in diary format, this was a good spin on Little Red Riding Hood. The large text and fun fonts made it a quick and easy read that children will enjoy.
This was quite an easy book to read great for pre teens who enjoy reading 😃 left me feeling a bit sad at one point but most of it was funny and interesting.