The Fairy Tale Fan Club - Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily

The Fairy Tale Fan Club

by Richard Ayoade, David Roberts (Illustrator)

What are they doing now? Was it really Happily Ever After? Is the Big Bad Wolf actually that bad? When will Sleeping Beauty get out of bed? And what makes frogs so kissable?

Only one man has the answers, direct from the ACTUAL LEGENDS themselves: meet C.C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Humor, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook

Paperback

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

Richard Ellef Ayoade is a British comedian, film director, screenwriter, television presenter, actor, and author best known for his role as the socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, for which he won the 2014 BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Reviews

[Katy Kelly]

Witty and well thought-through, adults will love this possibly more than kids.

Great idea, Richard. I've seen letters to fairy tale characters before (Dear Mother Goose by Michael Rosen) but that was aimed squarely at the picture book crowd. This is for older children who can look back knowingly and with more insight at the strangeness of fairy stories and ask pertinent questions of the characters they remember.

With a created persona of C C Cecily, the Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club, Ayoade and two other voices read out letters and replies to and from young readers, asking curious questions of their traditional tale idols. Some polite, some not so. Some searching. Some with a contemporary view in mind. All very funny and the sort you realise - yes, you want to know this too!

As I listened to this, I can't comment on illustrations, but I can say that I loved the voices used for Cecily, the writers and the fairy tale characters replying. I listened in one go, and I imagine many adults will read this on the quiet away from their child listeners and giggle as much as I did.

Ayoade manages to get in a few little comments that may go over the heads of younger readers, but the contemporary feel to the letters and questions makes this a book for everyone. Who doesn't know these stories? Who wouldn't question why the princess can feel the pea through all those mattresses - and would you actually want to marry the girl who's that sensitive?!

Brilliant stuff, Ayoade writes well (again!) for children, and again, the older crowd of 6-12 year olds will take pleasure in not being talked down to and feeling in on the joke.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

[Rosemary Standeven]

A short, very amusing book composed of letters from young children to famous fairy tale characters and the characters’ replies. Both questions and replies are written with utmost seriousness. All curated by C.C. Cicely – admin officer extraordinaire to the denizens of Fairy Tale Land.
If you ever wanted to know why fairy tale characters made the stupid decisions they did – here is where to find out. How did the emperor get duped into wearing non-existent new clothes (he claims he WAS wearing his underwear). Is Humpty Dumpty and egg or a human? How is the Little Mermaid getting on? And isn’t a good thing, that wolves don’t chew their food.
So many more great letters, replies and the odd bit of advice.
The illustrations are great – and, yes, Red Riding Hodd’s grandma DOES look like the Big Bad Wolf!
Highly recommended

[Ivaelo Slavov]

Ричард Айоаде отново показва завидно въображение, и типичния за него хумор.
Той създават личността C.C.Cecily - отговорник за пощенските писма изпращани към приказното царство, там където пребивават всички персонажи от детски приказки.
А ние ставаме свидетели на забавните кореспонденции между децата и приказни герои (и злодеи).

[Alice magical library]

I loved this book! I thought that it was quite funny, and I also thought that it was brilliantly written as well because Richard would change his tone of writing a lot, and he did this so smoothly and amazingly, and I just thought that it was very clever. This book is about children writing letters to fairy tale characters and the character that they write to answer back. Just some of my favourite letters was the Sleeping Beauty one and the Humpy Dumpty one. I also loved David Roberts’ illustrations, as they just matched really well with the rest of the book. I don’t really read celebrity’s books, but I have enjoyed both of Richard’s books - the first one was called The Book That No one Wanted To Read - and I think that anyone over the age of 7 should read both of them!

[Ellen McClure]

3.75 stars
Any time I can get my hands on a Richard Ayoade children's book, it's going to be read. This was no exception. While charming, fun and, insightful, it didn't grab me as much as his other books have. I somehow wanted more. Perhaps in a different format? I'm not sure. Having said all of that, this was an adorable read. Hopefully C.C. Cecily graces my TBR again so I have more to judge and more to read of course.

[mia ❤️]

so cute!!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro)]

The Senior Secretary handles all the letters that come into the Fairy Tale Fan Club. Each letter asks a question of a famous fairy tale character, and we get to see their answers. One fan asks Rapunzel for advice about getting a haircut. Is it better to keep your hair long or cut it short?
Another fan mistakenly thinks the Little Mermaid got a happy ending, but she answers with the truth from her original fairy tale. We get to hear from Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf - two very different stories. Cinderella expresses sympathy for a fan who has bossy sisters. Pinocchio explains that he was never a puppet; he was a marionette. Sleeping Beauty, Rumplestiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Humpty Dumpty, that one shoemaker who had elves helping him, the emperor who famously bought new clothes, that one princess with the pea under the mattress, and various Prince Charming types: they all make an appearance, answering the tough questions.

This book is really hilarious and witty! I loved the funny responses from the fairy tale characters. It's always something unexpected and silly.

But sometimes the humor went a little too far, or was awkward. The emperor calls the men who sold him the invisible clothes, "asses". Not sure if that was meant to be donkeys or what.
There is a section where the author berates parents for "tricking" their children into doing their chores. That seemed really disrespectful.
There are these really weird references to killing the bossy sisters and wondering if their parents are getting a divorce. It was just out of nowhere and kind of weird.
Jack goes on this long tirade against his mother because she made him sell the cow and then got mad at him for only bringing back beans. He's really rude about it.
And there is a very awkward illustration of all the Prince Charming characters together in strange poses, one of whom is sitting awkwardly on the knee of another prince with the caption "Charmed? Not sure." Very weird.

So overall, it was fun and hilarious and I enjoyed it. Then there would be one strange line that weirded me out. Maybe this style of humor is not my cup of tea. A little too irreverent for me.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from a publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.

[Chrystal]

Very entertaining audiobook read by the author and his wife, both talented readers with very funny voices.

[Kari]

This book was so delightful, with cheeky takes on the fairy tales we all know and love. There were several times a line made me chuckle aloud. I did the audio and ebook alongside each other and there are pros to both; the book has wonderful illustrations and the audio has delightful narrations with voices for each character.

I buddy read this with a friend, and since each section is so short we decided to do one story per day. I recommend this for sure; it gave me a fun little treat to look forward to each evening.

[Jacq.and.the.readstalk]

This was so much fun! Brothers Grimm meets Lemony Snicket. Ayoade’s wit practically bursts from the pages and keeps to the macabre roots of the original tales.

A fairytale romp that’s full of never-ending charm and lots of humour. That's quintessential British humour. The beautiful illustrations and formats are each tailored to the characters to bring their responses to life.

It's sure to bring a smile and a hearty chuckle to children and fairytale fanatics.

[Phillip Marsh]

Really great. A good mix of silliness and review/adjustment of some of the more questionable morals presented in fairly tales (whilst still upholding the magic). Whilst I did finish feeling I wished there had been more of the latter (because it was done well and subtly), perhaps this is the right balance for kids.

Looking forward to seeing what my daughter thinks.

[Stacey]

This is a short witty observation of some of the most popular fairy tales. I was asked to review for an age appropriate review and I feel like adults will enjoy this book more than kids. The humor behind some of it may be lost on some younger aged, but at the same time I remember thinking some of the same things as a child.

I feel this would be a fun family read that may inspire some unique POV and discussion from juvenile, teenager, young adult, and adult.

[Anna]

3.5

[Madalyn]

A charming fun book filled with entertaining letters from some of my favorite fairy tale characters of all time (I read this in one day)

[Jake Parkman]

Very funny and a little informative, traditional fairy tale characters responding to their fan mail, the illustrations are also brilliant

[Lauren]

Delightful and funny, this collection of letters to fairytale characters and their responses is a treat for children and adults alike. Peppered with Ayoade's distinctive humour, and read with unabashed joy and expressive vigour - I hope we get to read more from the Fairytale Fan Club in the future.

[Alice]

Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Le Fan-Club des Contes de Fées ?
"Quand je vais en librairie, c'est très rare que je ne sache pas déjà ce que je veux mais ça ne m'empêche pas de fureter et quand je trouve un livre qui m'attire instantanément, c'est toujours la bonne surprise. C'est ce qui s'est passé avec celui-ci auquel je n'ai cessé de penser jusqu'à ce que je craque."

Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Une question à poser, une réclamation, une explication ou un message à faire passer ? Écrivez au fan club des contes de fées..."

Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"J'ai adoré le principe de ce courrier des lecteurs. Vous pouvez écrire à votre princesse préférée ou même au méchant de l'histoire, demander des conseils capillaires à Raiponce ou encore avoir une conversation passionnante sur l'intérêt de placer un petit pois sous une couche de matelas pour trouver celle qui vous comblera de bonheur. Je me suis régalée à découvrir les contes de fées de mon enfance sous ce nouvel angle et si ce n'est pas un coup de coeur, ça reste une lecture très chouette, amusante et originale, bourrée de cet humour anglais que j'aime tant. Quant à l'objet livre, c'est un véritable petit bijou. La mise en page est très soignée, pleine de petits détails et les illustrations de David Roberts accompagnent et habillent parfaitement le côté décalé du texte. Je ne me lasse pas de le feuilleter et vous comprendrez mieux pourquoi il est impossible d'y résister une fois que l'on a posé ses yeux dessus."

Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"C'est une lecture jeunesse et légère pour tous les âges. La partager avec ses enfants me paraît garantir de la joie et des rires alors pourquoi s'en priver."

http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...

[DaNae]

Fun with fairy tales and correspondence. My favorite thing about this was my discovery that it was written by Moss from the I T Crowd. I adore that character, so charmingly guileless. I very much hear the actors voice in these letters. I found some more hilarious than others and would like to dedicate the LITTLE MERMAID one to my sister who is still incensed over Disney’s cheery rewrite. I did wane after a bit, as these really are not my type of thing. I find a fractured fairy tale picture book usually does the job for me.

52 book club25: 20)  A fairy tale retelling

[Carrie]

I absolutely loved the format of this book. It is a great read for both children and adults! It is hilarious from beginning to end! This one was definitely a found treasure!!!! Saving this one in my memory for my future grand kids!

[Krystal]

Delightful little book of "letters" around the premise that if you wrote to a fairy tale character, what would they write back? Some lovely British humor on display in this read too and the illustrations are hilarious to go along with the respective letters.

[Beth Cue]

What an amusing book for young people that is full of clever letters to and from fairy tale stars. The book is also chock full of vocabulary building words, such as anthropomorphism, tetchy, potentate, prowess…. And so many other great words for learning vocabulary.

[Ashley Love Sellers]

ARC. Audiobook. Update soon.

[Rebecca]

Some of the letters are ok. Some actually get fairy tales. Others read like cheap pop culture cinema sins type commentary.

[Taylor]

Loved it!

[Dominique]

This was cute.

[Debbie]

Cute.
Never thought I’d write such a brief and dumb review but hey I listened to this because I was depleted.

[Jill Andrews]

4.5 I love Ayowade's humour, gently scratching at the surface of fairytales we've all known and loved. gleeful!

[Megan (ReadingRover)]

Very fun audiobook! 4 stars

[Nicole Stanton]

Wasn’t for me.

[Caro Mélu]

C’était divertissant!
Certaines lettres étaient plus intéressantes et drôles que d’autres.