Happily Ever Afterwards

Tales From a Tall Forest #2

by Shaun Micallef

Happily Ever Afterwards is a smart, satirical and deliciously silly follow-up to Shaun Micallef’s award-winning Tales from a Tall Forest.

The queen of Tancred and her royal retinue are on a mission - to ensure all the citizens of Tancred are happy. But that’s a lot harder than it sounds - especially when the Happiness Tour accidentally stumbles into the neighbouring region of Hamelin. Oops. Soon, Queen Mathilde smells a rat. A whole kingdom of them, in fact…because Hamelin has been overrun with rodents. Why is a rat on the throne? Where are all of Hamelin’s children?

And what is happiness anyway? The answers - presented in Micallef’s signature fairy-tale-twisting style - will surprise you!

Genres: Humor, Childrens

Audible Audio

Published September 29, 2021

About the author

Shaun Micallef has starred in television, films, stage shows, radio and several books. He also has won four Logies, an ARIA and an AFI but, admirably, hasn’t let any of this go to his head.

Reviews

[Jacq.and.the.readstalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that Shaun Micallef (one of my favourite Aussie comedians) returned to his wacky fairy-tale world after a few years prior to the first one, accompanied once again with beautiful illustrations!

Micallef's take on fairy tales are just as funny and as zany as the author himself. His plot is blended with humour that adults will enjoy just as much as children, even mocking politics and religion. Shaun has this way of writing for children that doesn't dumb the story or his words down, adding his signature cheeky wit for all to enjoy.

There were great pieces of Aussie humour and culture thrown in that made me laugh out loud, especially the mistaken reference to my favourite biscuit Tim-Tams! Oh and there is a skeleton lady named Karen.

I do hope the author continues with these stories as I feel (dear children), that there are other stories to tell for another time...

[Smitchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A giggle inducing fairy-tale romp from Tall Forest to far off kingdoms! If you love the humour of Shrek then this is for you. I listened to the audio edition that was very well narrated by Emily Taheny.

The Good Queen Mathilde has embarked on a quest to help every one of her subjects become happy. With the help of the Royal Woodcutter, his two children Hansel and Gretel, and a growing retinue of famous fairytale faces, Queen Mathilde needs to rescue the lost children of Hamelin, convince a troll that eating people is not really the thing to do, defeat a monkey who believes he is a god, and hardest of all she needs to work out what happiness really means anyway!

This is a story for kids and adults alike and will make an excellent bedtime story for younger children and will be eagerly devoured by independent readers 8+

This is the second fairy-tale book from Shaun Micallef and while it does follow on from the first, it is not necessary to have read "Tales from a Tall Forest" to enjoy this one.

[Rob Messenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, disproportionately in favour of the artwork...

[Eleah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of old twisted, funny, fairy tale books I used to read as a kid; Shaun Micallef has managed to write another great children's book.
Mind you, this book holds a surprising amount of jokes that would float gently over most children's heads these days. However, they are perfect for any adult who may feel the old fashioned urge to read a book out loud to their kids at bedtime.
Having something for everyone to enjoy makes this a great book in my opinion.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the same vein as Spike Milligan and to some degree Shrek, Shaun weaves a hilarious and ridiculous reimagining of children's rhymes from the pied piper, to Jack Spratt. Plenty of humour for the parents to enjoy as well as kids. You may find yourself enjoying this more than your children will. I listened to this as an audio book and it was a delight.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, and had quite a few giggles… until the last third or so of the book, when they go to hell (though it isn’t called that) and a smoking angel works there and they have to go see god, who is a monkey… without all that, I would’ve given it four stars. However, I can’t recommend this book with that in it. A real shame.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love but liked the artwork