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Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales
Step into a wintry forest where seven iconic fairy tales unfold,retold with keen insight and touches of humor.
There once was a frozen forest so cold you could feel it through the soles of your boots. It was a strange place where some kisses broke enchantments, and others began them. Many said witches lived there — some with cold hearts, others with hot ovens and ugly appetites — and also dwarves in tiny houses made of stones. In this icy wood, a stepmother might eat a girl’s heart to restore her own beauty, while a woodcutter might become stupid with grief at the death of his donkey. Here a princess with too many dresses grows spiteful out of loneliness, while a mistreated girl who is kind to a crone finds pearls dropping from her mouth whenever she speaks. With empathy and ear for emotion, Emily Jenkins retells seven fairy tales in contemporary language that reveals both the pathos and humor of some of our most beloved stories. Charming illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason add whimsical details that enhance every new reading.
There once was a frozen forest so cold you could feel it through the soles of your boots. It was a strange place where some kisses broke enchantments, and others began them. Many said witches lived there — some with cold hearts, others with hot ovens and ugly appetites — and also dwarves in tiny houses made of stones. In this icy wood, a stepmother might eat a girl’s heart to restore her own beauty, while a woodcutter might become stupid with grief at the death of his donkey. Here a princess with too many dresses grows spiteful out of loneliness, while a mistreated girl who is kind to a crone finds pearls dropping from her mouth whenever she speaks. With empathy and ear for emotion, Emily Jenkins retells seven fairy tales in contemporary language that reveals both the pathos and humor of some of our most beloved stories. Charming illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason add whimsical details that enhance every new reading.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
About the author
Emily Jenkins
63 books165 followersEmily Jenkins is the author of many books for children, including the recent picture books Tiger and Badger, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay, and Princessland, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Her chapter books include the Toys series, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; she is co-author of the Upside-down Magic series. Emily Jenkins lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 9, 2017
First sentence: There was once a frozen forest, cold as cold ever was.
Premise/plot: Brave Red, Smart Frog is a collection of fairy tales retold by Emily Jenkins. This collection features seven stories: "Snow White," "The Frog Prince," "Three Wishes," "Toads and Pearls," "Red Riding Hood," "The Three Great Noodles," and "Hansel and Gretel."
My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I loved the writing, first of all. I found it beautifully written. Here are some of the phrases and sentences that caught my attention.
I loved the selection of stories. I loved the variety of familiar and unfamiliar stories. I think my favorites were actually the new-to-me stories of "Toads and Pearls" and "Three Wishes."
Premise/plot: Brave Red, Smart Frog is a collection of fairy tales retold by Emily Jenkins. This collection features seven stories: "Snow White," "The Frog Prince," "Three Wishes," "Toads and Pearls," "Red Riding Hood," "The Three Great Noodles," and "Hansel and Gretel."
My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I loved the writing, first of all. I found it beautifully written. Here are some of the phrases and sentences that caught my attention.
His new wife had walked out of the winter forest one day and charmed him with beauty like an icicycle--sharp and slippery. She called herself January, and when she moved into the castle, she brought along nothing but an enchanted mirror. This new queen felt invisible without a reflection of herself nearby. (4)
There are so many ways to measure beauty, and so many ways to enchant a mirror. (6)
He stopped his horse and watched her breathing. Her eyelids fluttered. Prince Beacon liked Snow White's face for its courage and kindness, and he was also a curious fellow who liked most pretty girls and all new adventures. And so, he woke her up. Now, some kisses break enchantments. And other kisses begin them. Beacon's kiss was the second kind, not the first.(16)
I loved the selection of stories. I loved the variety of familiar and unfamiliar stories. I think my favorites were actually the new-to-me stories of "Toads and Pearls" and "Three Wishes."
January 8, 2018
RATING: 2 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
This is a retelling of fairytales. For me, it was nothing new or exciting, but I do like the classics.
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
This is a retelling of fairytales. For me, it was nothing new or exciting, but I do like the classics.
October 8, 2018
When I was a kid, my mom bought my sister and me a big book of fairytales we were supposed to share. Neither one of us liked the tales we read very much, and the book basically became a dust collector. So when my Kiddo came along, I told my mom "No. More. Fairytales. Please." But had Emily Jenkins' Brave Red, Smart Frog been around, I certainly would have encouraged her to give a copy of it to my Kiddo.
Here are seven classic fairytales that have been turned on their ear and are just wonderful. Yes, well-known favorites like the Brothers Grimm's Snow White and Hansel and Gretel are here. Jenkins has also included three by Charles Perrault, The Fairy is renamed Frog and Pearls and The Three Ridiculous Wishes has become simple The Three Wishes, and of course, there is Red Riding Hood. The Frog Prince is here, but not exactly the one originally by the Brothers Grimm; and you couldn't retell fairytales without including the story of The Three Great Noodles.
The fairytales that Jenkins chose are more or less faithful to the original versions we know, but not totally. Instead she has written them as she would want to tell them herself. Her justification: the organic nature of stories. Fairytales were originally told orally and with each telling, each teller made little changes. Even after they were written down, they continued to change bit by bit. Jenkins intention was to "bring out what's most meaningful to [her] in the stories" in the tradition of those earliest tellers of fairytales. The seven stories chosen for this volume are all familiar to you, but there is the delight of discovering what Jenkins has done to them.
And as you read, you will noticed that there are small ways in which the tales connect to each. Some of the characters live in "a frozen forest, cold as cold ever was." Nothing grows, the streams are always frozen over, even horses can not walk through this forest. Other characters live in a sunny, warm place on the outskirts of the frozen forest but almost all find themselves there for different reasons. A woodcutter who is granted three wishes lives there, a huntsman goes there to cut the heart out of a vain queen's beautiful stepdaughter, a young girl in red walks through this forest to meet her dying grandmother for the first time, and two children, taken to the forest by their father, discover a candy house after they are abandoned there. And sometimes one character passes through the story of another. I found that by connecting the stories through the setting made the characters feel less isolated and therefore, their stories felt less dangerous, and I could see the point of each one in a new way.
Each tale is introduced with a watercolor and ink illustration by Rohan Daniel Eason that really captures the cold, dangerous, haunting atmosphere of the forest and you can see, the cover reflects the interconnectedness of the stories placing Red Riding Hood and The Frog Prince in the same picture.
While there isn't really much new in these stories, Jenkins has managed to bring back some of their magic and charm by making what was old into something new.
Back matter includes an Author's Note, but there is not sourcing for the stories used. And you can find a useful Educator's Guide to download produced by the publisher, Candlewick Press HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was as ARC received from the publisher, Candlewick Press
Here are seven classic fairytales that have been turned on their ear and are just wonderful. Yes, well-known favorites like the Brothers Grimm's Snow White and Hansel and Gretel are here. Jenkins has also included three by Charles Perrault, The Fairy is renamed Frog and Pearls and The Three Ridiculous Wishes has become simple The Three Wishes, and of course, there is Red Riding Hood. The Frog Prince is here, but not exactly the one originally by the Brothers Grimm; and you couldn't retell fairytales without including the story of The Three Great Noodles.
The fairytales that Jenkins chose are more or less faithful to the original versions we know, but not totally. Instead she has written them as she would want to tell them herself. Her justification: the organic nature of stories. Fairytales were originally told orally and with each telling, each teller made little changes. Even after they were written down, they continued to change bit by bit. Jenkins intention was to "bring out what's most meaningful to [her] in the stories" in the tradition of those earliest tellers of fairytales. The seven stories chosen for this volume are all familiar to you, but there is the delight of discovering what Jenkins has done to them.
And as you read, you will noticed that there are small ways in which the tales connect to each. Some of the characters live in "a frozen forest, cold as cold ever was." Nothing grows, the streams are always frozen over, even horses can not walk through this forest. Other characters live in a sunny, warm place on the outskirts of the frozen forest but almost all find themselves there for different reasons. A woodcutter who is granted three wishes lives there, a huntsman goes there to cut the heart out of a vain queen's beautiful stepdaughter, a young girl in red walks through this forest to meet her dying grandmother for the first time, and two children, taken to the forest by their father, discover a candy house after they are abandoned there. And sometimes one character passes through the story of another. I found that by connecting the stories through the setting made the characters feel less isolated and therefore, their stories felt less dangerous, and I could see the point of each one in a new way.
Each tale is introduced with a watercolor and ink illustration by Rohan Daniel Eason that really captures the cold, dangerous, haunting atmosphere of the forest and you can see, the cover reflects the interconnectedness of the stories placing Red Riding Hood and The Frog Prince in the same picture.
While there isn't really much new in these stories, Jenkins has managed to bring back some of their magic and charm by making what was old into something new.
Back matter includes an Author's Note, but there is not sourcing for the stories used. And you can find a useful Educator's Guide to download produced by the publisher, Candlewick Press HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was as ARC received from the publisher, Candlewick Press
July 31, 2017
This delightful collection of familiar fairy tales is told with a fresh voice and enchanting writing!
Including new versions of Snow White, The Frog Prince, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and several others that are less well-known, this book provides a crisp new look at these old tales while still remaining true to the main stories.
While the basic plots remain the same, it's the sparkling dialogue and little inside jokes that make these fairy tales so enjoyable to read and reread.
The lovely illustrations bring the stories to life and give a nod to classic fairy tale illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Walter Crane. I love how elegant the illustrations are!
I especially loved that each fairy tale has some small detail that connects it to the other stories. (For instance, the huntsman who spares Snow White's life is the same huntsman who kills the Big Bad Wolf and cuts Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother out of the wolf's belly. The wood where Hansel and Gretel are lost is the same wood where Snow White meets the seven dwarves.) Although each tale is told in a separate chapter, these little elements make the book feel like a whole, instead of chopped up stories bundled together randomly. I really appreciated that the book flowed beautifully from story to story.
One of the best things about the writing is that it asks some deeper questions of the classic fairy tales and answers them in a new way. (Why did Hansel and Gretel's parents really abandon them in the forest? How could an elegant princess fall in love with a smelly frog? ) The author takes the stories just a little deeper by looking at the roots of the characters' personalities and circumstances, bringing a new light into the fairy tales, but without making them too complex for young readers.
A complete delight to read!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
Including new versions of Snow White, The Frog Prince, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and several others that are less well-known, this book provides a crisp new look at these old tales while still remaining true to the main stories.
While the basic plots remain the same, it's the sparkling dialogue and little inside jokes that make these fairy tales so enjoyable to read and reread.
The lovely illustrations bring the stories to life and give a nod to classic fairy tale illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Walter Crane. I love how elegant the illustrations are!
I especially loved that each fairy tale has some small detail that connects it to the other stories. (For instance, the huntsman who spares Snow White's life is the same huntsman who kills the Big Bad Wolf and cuts Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother out of the wolf's belly. The wood where Hansel and Gretel are lost is the same wood where Snow White meets the seven dwarves.) Although each tale is told in a separate chapter, these little elements make the book feel like a whole, instead of chopped up stories bundled together randomly. I really appreciated that the book flowed beautifully from story to story.
One of the best things about the writing is that it asks some deeper questions of the classic fairy tales and answers them in a new way. (Why did Hansel and Gretel's parents really abandon them in the forest? How could an elegant princess fall in love with a smelly frog? ) The author takes the stories just a little deeper by looking at the roots of the characters' personalities and circumstances, bringing a new light into the fairy tales, but without making them too complex for young readers.
A complete delight to read!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
October 7, 2017
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
Like most people, I've always loved fairy tales. There's something really magical about reading the stories that have been honed through generations of telling and retelling, where magic exists and it usually teaches a lesson and bad people/decisions wind up in terrible trouble. I haven't read all the original tales, but I had a storybook when I was little that told the "true" stories in a pretty way without putting too much emphasis on the gore. I always liked those versions more than the Disney ones.
That's why I chose to review Brave Red, Smart Frog. I did indeed know six of them in some form or another (though my version of the woodcutter who gets three wishes involved a river spirit throwing increasingly-ornate axes onto the bank); the only one that was completely unfamiliar was "The Three Great Noodles," which was actually a really cool story. It may well have been my favorite from the collection, and not just because it was the only new one for me!
I do like these retellings; they stick with the original material but cut out the worst parts and very cleverly fill in some of the logic gaps left by the originals. They also feature familial relationships that are much more realistic than the ones usually described in the fairy tales (full of dysfunction, yes, but also love). However, I wish the stories were longer–they each take up about 13 pages or so, a shortness that I'm just not used to anymore. I suppose this is good for kids listening to the stories at bedtime, but it leaves me wishing for more!
If you like fairy tale retellings, then Brave Red, Smart Frog might be what you're looking for. I can't say that it stands head and shoulders above all the other fairy tale retellings out there, because it doesn't really, but I can say that I enjoyed it and I'm sure others will as well. It doesn't have many illustrations, which is a pity, but the stories are told very well. Jenkins put together a very nice collection!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Like most people, I've always loved fairy tales. There's something really magical about reading the stories that have been honed through generations of telling and retelling, where magic exists and it usually teaches a lesson and bad people/decisions wind up in terrible trouble. I haven't read all the original tales, but I had a storybook when I was little that told the "true" stories in a pretty way without putting too much emphasis on the gore. I always liked those versions more than the Disney ones.
That's why I chose to review Brave Red, Smart Frog. I did indeed know six of them in some form or another (though my version of the woodcutter who gets three wishes involved a river spirit throwing increasingly-ornate axes onto the bank); the only one that was completely unfamiliar was "The Three Great Noodles," which was actually a really cool story. It may well have been my favorite from the collection, and not just because it was the only new one for me!
I do like these retellings; they stick with the original material but cut out the worst parts and very cleverly fill in some of the logic gaps left by the originals. They also feature familial relationships that are much more realistic than the ones usually described in the fairy tales (full of dysfunction, yes, but also love). However, I wish the stories were longer–they each take up about 13 pages or so, a shortness that I'm just not used to anymore. I suppose this is good for kids listening to the stories at bedtime, but it leaves me wishing for more!
If you like fairy tale retellings, then Brave Red, Smart Frog might be what you're looking for. I can't say that it stands head and shoulders above all the other fairy tale retellings out there, because it doesn't really, but I can say that I enjoyed it and I'm sure others will as well. It doesn't have many illustrations, which is a pity, but the stories are told very well. Jenkins put together a very nice collection!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2017
Fresh familiar and lesser-known fairytale retellings with a focus on interiority.
Disclaimer: reviewing an uncorrected proof/eARC via NetGalley.
This covers some well-known (Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Snow White) and lesser-known fairytales with the author's unique spin and a sketched piece of artwork heading each tale. The author's notes suggest that she focused on motivation, which jives with my impression that these retellings are a little more focused on character motivation and interiority than some traditional versions, with perhaps a splash of feminism/female initiative. I did enjoy them, but placed alongside recent retellings-with-a-twist/twisted fairytales like Ransom Riggs's and Leigh Bardugo's, they come across a little bland. The language is not particularly gripping or lyrical (not picture-book style), and with one illustration heading each tale, it's not a child's bedtime book. However, as kids lit/MG, they're a nicely rounded-out variation.
I'd have liked to see more of a storybook-format with more illustrations for child readers (& those of us who just enjoy the pictures~~), but generally a nice edition.
Disclaimer: reviewing an uncorrected proof/eARC via NetGalley.
This covers some well-known (Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Snow White) and lesser-known fairytales with the author's unique spin and a sketched piece of artwork heading each tale. The author's notes suggest that she focused on motivation, which jives with my impression that these retellings are a little more focused on character motivation and interiority than some traditional versions, with perhaps a splash of feminism/female initiative. I did enjoy them, but placed alongside recent retellings-with-a-twist/twisted fairytales like Ransom Riggs's and Leigh Bardugo's, they come across a little bland. The language is not particularly gripping or lyrical (not picture-book style), and with one illustration heading each tale, it's not a child's bedtime book. However, as kids lit/MG, they're a nicely rounded-out variation.
I'd have liked to see more of a storybook-format with more illustrations for child readers (& those of us who just enjoy the pictures~~), but generally a nice edition.
July 24, 2017
This is an interesting, but not terribly novel, retelling of fairy and folk tales. Like the author, I took classes on the oral tradition of story telling, and thus, like the author, I am well aware, as she points out in her afterward, that these stories were told, and retold, and tweaked with each new telling.
And that is all very well and good, but don't go reading this and hoping for a new, novel view of these classic tales of Little Read Riding Hood, or the Frog Prince, or, Snow White. There is some inside, and humor thrown in, but, as Jenkins points out, it is not her goal to add anything modern to the stories, just to explain some things, such as why step-mothers were cruel, or why fathers were thoughtless.
You might enjoy reading these. I found, although the humor was cute, that I grew boarded with how little she ended up changing things.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And that is all very well and good, but don't go reading this and hoping for a new, novel view of these classic tales of Little Read Riding Hood, or the Frog Prince, or, Snow White. There is some inside, and humor thrown in, but, as Jenkins points out, it is not her goal to add anything modern to the stories, just to explain some things, such as why step-mothers were cruel, or why fathers were thoughtless.
You might enjoy reading these. I found, although the humor was cute, that I grew boarded with how little she ended up changing things.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
January 6, 2018
I've always loved fairytales, including fractured fairytales and retellings. This book is a collection of seven tales, some very familiar (i.e. Red Riding Hood) and some you may not have heard of (i.e. The Three Great Noodles). The author stuck with the basic plot or premise of each tale, but added a few details that may have sent the story in a different direction. They also were not as dark as the originals. The other thing I liked is that even though each was a separate story, there was something to connect them, either the setting or a character. They were not very long and could easily be read as a bedtime story over a weekly period. The one thing I did not like was the fact that there was only one illustration per story and that was at the beginning of each. The style of the illustrations reminded me of an old fairytale book I had as a child. Overall, I could see this book becoming a staple in a family library. If you read the author's note at the back she mentions the art of oral storytelling. I could see a classroom teacher using this book as a mentor text when dealing with that theme. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
September 5, 2018
A pleasant but not particularly memorable retelling of classic "into the woods" fairy tales. I was expecting a little more updating of the plots themselves (perhaps to strike a few blows at the Patriarchy), but Jenkins largely kept the bones while shifting some of the meat, mainly in exploring the motivations of the main characters through narration and internal dialogue. Some of these are clever and help freshen the tales. Others simply fill space. Overall, it's a quick and easy bedtime readaloud, but I suspect I'd quickly forget I read this book were not Goodreads here to memorialize it.
September 17, 2023
This is a retelling of 7 fairy tales, though there is not much new in the five that I knew. I did like the way they were all tied together geographically. The small details that were added were done well, but didn't change the stories. If you like fairy tales, this is a fun collection but don't expect any twists.
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Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
May 1, 2020
Seven familiar tales, told with just the slightest of twists. They often touch on one another, but they generally end up just as you’d expect. In the author’s note, Jenkins offers as explanation that she is contributing to the spirit of the oral tradition, retelling these stories and putting her own touches on them, but not with any particular didactic intent or ideological bent. The book as an object is lovely, and reading the stories was pleasant, but I was left with a bit of a “So what?” feeling. If you love fairy tales, it’s a pleasant way to while away an evening, but don’t expect new revelations.
July 20, 2017
I love tales. And these seven fairy tales, are presented as stories, one might tell during story hour. Why did Red believe the wolf was reliable? Did you know Snow White's Mother had two other possible names for her? Why do you think the enchanted frog loved the princess? I like that the writing is creative and provides explanations, answers and alternatives for the tales. Reviewed ARC for publisher and Net Galley.
October 29, 2017
Absolutely charming. These are not retellings as much as rewritings. I love it.
August 20, 2026
A twist on familiar and classic fairy tales. The author has taken liberty with each individual tale, but at the same time linking them all to the same region in and around the frozen ice forest.
April 3, 2018
Good retellings.
Read
July 11, 2017Thus far I guess I'm the only one not big on these. There's nothing particularly wrong with them, they're just retellings of old tales. Unnecessary and lackluster. I think I've been spoiled by the excellent variations and twists that are out there.
December 11, 2017
I really, really liked this collection of fairy tales, slightly re-told but still faithful to the originals. Modern but not too much so, these short stories give a teeny bit more insight into the sometimes perplexing classics.
November 15, 2017
This is one of those books that I was skeptical about reading, but after reading it, I can say that I really enjoyed it. I think the cover art looked older, so I was concerned that the kids would not pick it up at my library. Also, I didn't realize before reading the book that the tales are written a little differently that the originals. This would be a great read aloud for kids. I really enjoyed how Emily Jenkins presented each one of the tales. This is a fun read!
January 30, 2018
This collection will be an enjoyable read for anyone who likes fairy tales. As the author herself explains in the author's note, these are straight retellings, not reimaginings. But while the stories are familiar, they are retold in a unique voice. Jenkins' writing is not only beautiful, it also manages to feel fresh at the same time it hearkens back to an older way of telling stories.
Jenkins explains that she wanted to draw out what was most important to her in each tale, while also answering some questions she always had about them - plot or logic holes that are skimmed over in the originals. I think she succeeded at both of these tasks, which sets this collection apart, despite the fact that the stories aren't really changed.
She also managed to add depth to characters that are largely one-dimensional in the original stories. The princess in "The Frog Prince" is unpleasant because she's spoiled and lonely. Hansel and Gretel's father is "stupid with grief." The Big Bad Wolf is simply starving in an enchanted forest that offers little food. These simple details don't excuse bad behavior, but rather create believable motivations and more relatable characters.
There is also a nice emphasis on family and forgiveness in some of the tales, balanced by other stories of independence and escape from abusive situations. Generally speaking, there is simply more resolution at the end of the stories than in the original tellings - a change I really liked.
I also appreciated the humor, probably best seen in the dialogue of "The Frog Prince." The cute banter between the frog and the princess makes that my favorite story here. However, I also enjoyed reading the tales I wasn't familiar with, like "The Three Great Noodles."
Amazingly, Jenkins packs all this into relatively short stories. While certainly a bit longer than the originals, each story is still only 10-14 pages long, perfect for independent reading by the target age group, as well as for classroom read-alouds or bedtime stories. My only small complaint is that I would have liked more illustrations.
All in all, this is a great addition to any fairy tale collection.
Jenkins explains that she wanted to draw out what was most important to her in each tale, while also answering some questions she always had about them - plot or logic holes that are skimmed over in the originals. I think she succeeded at both of these tasks, which sets this collection apart, despite the fact that the stories aren't really changed.
She also managed to add depth to characters that are largely one-dimensional in the original stories. The princess in "The Frog Prince" is unpleasant because she's spoiled and lonely. Hansel and Gretel's father is "stupid with grief." The Big Bad Wolf is simply starving in an enchanted forest that offers little food. These simple details don't excuse bad behavior, but rather create believable motivations and more relatable characters.
There is also a nice emphasis on family and forgiveness in some of the tales, balanced by other stories of independence and escape from abusive situations. Generally speaking, there is simply more resolution at the end of the stories than in the original tellings - a change I really liked.
I also appreciated the humor, probably best seen in the dialogue of "The Frog Prince." The cute banter between the frog and the princess makes that my favorite story here. However, I also enjoyed reading the tales I wasn't familiar with, like "The Three Great Noodles."
Amazingly, Jenkins packs all this into relatively short stories. While certainly a bit longer than the originals, each story is still only 10-14 pages long, perfect for independent reading by the target age group, as well as for classroom read-alouds or bedtime stories. My only small complaint is that I would have liked more illustrations.
All in all, this is a great addition to any fairy tale collection.
October 5, 2017
Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales is a middle grade book written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason. This is a collect of seven classic fairy tales told in the authors personal style.
There once was a frozen forest so cold, you could feel it through the soles of your boots. It was a strange place where some kisses broke enchantments and others began them. Many said witches lived there -- some with cold hearts, others with hot ovens and ugly appetites -- and also dwarves in tiny houses made of stones. In this icy wood, a stepmother might eat a girl's heart to restore her own beauty, while a woodcutter might become stupid with grief at the death of his donkey. Here a princess with too many dresses grows spiteful out of loneliness, while a mistreated girl who is kind to a crone finds pearls dropping from her mouth whenever she speaks.
Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales is a nice collection of classic tales, some more well known than others. I liked that Jenkins stuck to the fairy tale tradition of telling these stories with the same heart, but her own personal touch. The characters are not flat, which often happens with those that are considered known already, rather they are rich in personality and humor. I enjoyed the collection, and think that many others will enjoy the combination of humor and empathy that threads through the stories. The fun illustrations added an extra layer of enjoyment and whimsy- adding a special something to the reading experience as a whole.
There once was a frozen forest so cold, you could feel it through the soles of your boots. It was a strange place where some kisses broke enchantments and others began them. Many said witches lived there -- some with cold hearts, others with hot ovens and ugly appetites -- and also dwarves in tiny houses made of stones. In this icy wood, a stepmother might eat a girl's heart to restore her own beauty, while a woodcutter might become stupid with grief at the death of his donkey. Here a princess with too many dresses grows spiteful out of loneliness, while a mistreated girl who is kind to a crone finds pearls dropping from her mouth whenever she speaks.
Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales is a nice collection of classic tales, some more well known than others. I liked that Jenkins stuck to the fairy tale tradition of telling these stories with the same heart, but her own personal touch. The characters are not flat, which often happens with those that are considered known already, rather they are rich in personality and humor. I enjoyed the collection, and think that many others will enjoy the combination of humor and empathy that threads through the stories. The fun illustrations added an extra layer of enjoyment and whimsy- adding a special something to the reading experience as a whole.
July 14, 2020
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
A nice collection of fairy tales. It contains the stories, "Snow White", "The Frog Prince", "Three Wishes", "Toads and Pearls", "Red Riding Hood", "The Three Great Noodles", and "Hansel and Gretel".
The book does not adhere strictly to the originals nor are they reinvented into completely new tales. Instead, as Jenkins writes in her Author's Note, "I wrote them simply as I myself want to tell them, using the storytelling techniques I have at my disposal". It is a nice middle-ground between the originals and new retellings. While the stories are not reinvented, they do take place in and near the same icy forest, which is a fun detail. There are some connections between the stories which adds an interesting (and sometimes humorous- I enjoyed all of the "noodle" references) element.
The writing is fairly simple but does contain some great descriptions and details. Jenkins notes that she tried to answer various questions while she wrote, such as "Why would Red trust the wolf?" and "How would it feel to have pearls dropping from your mouth?" While reading, I enjoyed these extra details added to the stories that had not been brought to light in other renditions.
With that, the overall reading experience was good. The book provides its own unique voice as well as a few added details, but for the most part sticks to the elements of the original tales. I think the subtitle, "A New Book of Old Tales" is very appropriate and describes the content perfectly.
A nice collection of fairy tales. It contains the stories, "Snow White", "The Frog Prince", "Three Wishes", "Toads and Pearls", "Red Riding Hood", "The Three Great Noodles", and "Hansel and Gretel".
The book does not adhere strictly to the originals nor are they reinvented into completely new tales. Instead, as Jenkins writes in her Author's Note, "I wrote them simply as I myself want to tell them, using the storytelling techniques I have at my disposal". It is a nice middle-ground between the originals and new retellings. While the stories are not reinvented, they do take place in and near the same icy forest, which is a fun detail. There are some connections between the stories which adds an interesting (and sometimes humorous- I enjoyed all of the "noodle" references) element.
The writing is fairly simple but does contain some great descriptions and details. Jenkins notes that she tried to answer various questions while she wrote, such as "Why would Red trust the wolf?" and "How would it feel to have pearls dropping from your mouth?" While reading, I enjoyed these extra details added to the stories that had not been brought to light in other renditions.
With that, the overall reading experience was good. The book provides its own unique voice as well as a few added details, but for the most part sticks to the elements of the original tales. I think the subtitle, "A New Book of Old Tales" is very appropriate and describes the content perfectly.
June 12, 2017
BRAVE RED, SMART FROG has all of the old classics and are written in the way that the author would tell them if she were speaking out loud.
BRAVE RED, SMART FROG has Snow White, The Frog Prince, Three Wishes, Toads and Pearls, Red Riding Hood, The Three Great Noodles, and Hansel and Gretel. Each story has its own title page with an image that correlates with whatever story it is.
I loved that the stories sort of all tied together in some type of way. The author uses rich words, comedic relief, and brings in some answers to questions from the old classic tales. I loved that the author isn't trying to do a retelling, but is just trying to tell these tales in her way like they used to do when they were spoken orally. Each story also had an important moral to teach that anyone could benefit from hearing.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to anybody that loves the classic tales, but are looking for a different way to hear or tell them. It's a newer way that still sticks to the old traditions. It's classified as middle grade fiction, but even adults and teens might enjoy it too just as I did.
BRAVE RED, SMART FROG has Snow White, The Frog Prince, Three Wishes, Toads and Pearls, Red Riding Hood, The Three Great Noodles, and Hansel and Gretel. Each story has its own title page with an image that correlates with whatever story it is.
I loved that the stories sort of all tied together in some type of way. The author uses rich words, comedic relief, and brings in some answers to questions from the old classic tales. I loved that the author isn't trying to do a retelling, but is just trying to tell these tales in her way like they used to do when they were spoken orally. Each story also had an important moral to teach that anyone could benefit from hearing.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to anybody that loves the classic tales, but are looking for a different way to hear or tell them. It's a newer way that still sticks to the old traditions. It's classified as middle grade fiction, but even adults and teens might enjoy it too just as I did.
August 17, 2017
I truly enjoyed these lovingly retold fairy tales. Jenkins has taken some favorite, familiar tales and while not adding anything new, has made them into charming tales. We have Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, the Frog Prince, and Diamonds and Toads among others. While she keeps the traditional plots and characters. she gives some extra depth, like why the Frog Prince loved the princes or how Hansel and Gretel’s father could have let them be left in the woods. She asks why the step-mother was so cruel and how Red could have been tricked by the wolf. I also love how the cold, frosty wood figures into the tales. The tales have touches of humor and are connected in ways that make the book fit together well, rather than just a random collection. For example, the same huntsman who doesn’t kill Snow White does kill the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood’s story.
Overall, while the stories here don’t offer anything unique, they are told well and I enjoyed them. Everyone gets a happy ending, well except the dead step-mothers and witch.
Overall, while the stories here don’t offer anything unique, they are told well and I enjoyed them. Everyone gets a happy ending, well except the dead step-mothers and witch.
January 3, 2018
Snow White, Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel. Familiar stories retold and ever-so-slightly entwined, with occasional artwork, somehow both brooding and charming, by Rohan Daniel Eason. Emily Jenkins doesn't reinvent much in these stories - their plots and tropes are largely familiar. Yet they still feel fresh and even poignant - I was surprised to discover that, yes, there is still something new to be gleaned from classic fairy tales. Most notably is the thread of empathy running through the stories - we feel sorry for Red's wolf, starving and hating himself for what he does. We delight in couples who quarrel and tease as well as cherish and hold each other. And we grieve for parents' mistakes against their children. "Anger and shame, forgiveness and promises. It was not easy. But it was family." A welcome addition to the fairy tale shelf, and likely a great family read-aloud.
May 27, 2018
2.5 This was an okay collection of fairy tales, for those ready to graduate from picture books to chapter books but not read-aloud worthy because of the uneven writing with sometimes short, simplistic and choppy sentences ("She was a warm person, a bright person. Her husband was chilly and dull. It had been a mistake to marry him.") The familiar stories are somewhat linked together, some taking place in the same enchanted frozen forest, but the enchantment remains unresolved at the end of the book with the forest still frozen. Though the illustrations are lovely and the cover and title is what drew me to this book, there are few of them, only one at the beginning of each story. I'd skip this and stick with other retellings, such as Charlotte Huck's version of Toads and Diamonds unless you have a struggling reader who needs something more accessible than the richer language of Andrew Lang, etc.
May 31, 2017
Does the need exist for another collection of Euro-traditional fairy tales? Maybe so: Emily Jenkins breathes new life and unique perspective into seven of the most traditional of fairy tales including Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel. As her author note suggests ~ "I wrote to bring out what's most meaningful to me in the stories." and "I searched for answers to questions." ~ Jenkins explains the previously unexplained: why the wolf's hunger drove him to devour both grandmother and Red; what drove the prince to kiss Sleeping Beauty (hint: not "beauty"); and why the frog and the princess became fast friends. Jenkins’ well-crafted versions of these seven fairy tales are sparked with language so crisp and stunningly visual that readers can see their breath as they enter frozen forests inhabited by wily wolves and other dangers. Her answers are worth reading.
September 12, 2017
Thanks to Candlewick Press, I was able to enjoy this wonderful new fairy tale retelling! There is little changed in the tales, and they are recognizable, but just enough to entice new readings of old favorites like “Snow White” and “Hansel and Gretel”. Emily Jenkins has managed to link them all within the setting of an icy cold, wintry forest. She writes that some say “vengeful sprites and witches with cold hearts along with others with hot ovens and wicked appetites live there,” and you’ll need to read these stories to discover if you recognize some old friends, or perhaps enemies! I imagine a fabulous read-aloud happening with this new book where there’s a “holding-one’s-breath” time and a “just one more” time. Emily Jenkins shares her desire to write these tales from a history of loving, collecting and studying fairy tales in an author’s note. I enjoyed my own reading very much.
October 12, 2017
A fresh retelling of classic fairy tales that ties them together into a single world, this book for elementary readers makes these stories accessible. Beautifully told, the stories all come together around a frozen woods and the magic of kisses, some of which break an enchantment and such of which create one. Around these central themes and settings, beloved stories spin. The stories include Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Frog Prince, and Hansel and Gretel. Other lesser known stories are also there, including one of my favorites Toads and Pearls. Jenkins invites readers into her stories and honors the classic tale, but also inserts a touch of humor, a feeling of convergence, and a dynamic storytelling style. Perfect for sharing classic stories with slightly older children, this book is fresh and exciting. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
December 15, 2017
Seven classic folk and fairy tales are retold and re-imagined in a cohesive collection for middle grade readers. Familiar characters may show up in other stories and the threatening presence of the icy wood appears in more than one story. They are just frightening enough for middle grade sensibilities and offer a more mature look at stories that readers may have heard previously. Eason’s watercolor and ink illustrations, most of the icy wood on the cover and end pages, help set the shivery tone of the tales. The included author’s note gives context to her style and choices for the stories. I would highly recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library. An exceptional choice for all folk and fairy-tale collections.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
August 22, 2017
I thought these were good, but they weren't anything outstanding to me. At first I thought they were going to be more like re-tellings, and have some sort of commentary. But upon reading the author's note at the end it seems they are more faithful to the oral versions of the stories based on research with a small twist on the author's point. If you've never read them, they might be a nice addition, but as many of these are very familiar tales, there isn't a huge appeal. For the tales you may have never heard of, it's nice to read about - but I cannot speak to the accuracy or the 'returning to their roots' in those since I'm not familiar with it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
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