What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales From a Tall Forest #1
Tales From a Tall Forest
When an innocent princess wanders into the forest, she finds herself trapped between a wolf with a ravenous appetite and a sweet little house with a secret. Meanwhile, a desperate fisherman enters into a very bad bargain with a power-hungry monkey. And meanerwhile still, a tiny tricksy tailor promises a promise that not even the most magic of beanstalks can help him escape.
In this rich and rambunctious tapestry of tales, satirist Shaun Micallef unravels the traditional fairy story and nimbly weaves your favourite characters into new and surprising adventures. Illustrated by award-winning artist Jonathan Bentley, this subversively silly trilogy will captivate parents and children alike – and indignant fairytale authors too.
In this rich and rambunctious tapestry of tales, satirist Shaun Micallef unravels the traditional fairy story and nimbly weaves your favourite characters into new and surprising adventures. Illustrated by award-winning artist Jonathan Bentley, this subversively silly trilogy will captivate parents and children alike – and indignant fairytale authors too.
209 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2017
48 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Micallef
24 books58 followersShaun 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 31, 2018
This was fun and cleaver. It's not going to change your life but it is an enjoyable read. It ties up all the fairytales up together and they all live in and around the Tall Forest. It is a different take on the favorite stories - Like little red poncho girl who needs glasses because she can't tell the difference between a wolf and grandma.
Under the dust cover is beautiful with Tall trees with red flowers and birds. So the illstrutations are beautiful. I am glad my husband got me this for my birthday.
Under the dust cover is beautiful with Tall trees with red flowers and birds. So the illstrutations are beautiful. I am glad my husband got me this for my birthday.
November 2, 2017
What a splendid package this book is - from the words on the pages, to the traditional style binding with section sewn pages and headbanding at the top and tail of the spine, to the exquisite black and white illustrations that pull it all together.
In true Shaun Micallef style, he puts a twist on the classic fairy tale to weave a wondrous story, or two for us to follow. There are twists and turns, with laughter to boot. I love the start of his blurb 'More grim than Grimms, less soppy than Aesop' This one line says it all.
If you are a fan of fairy tales, of Shaun Micallef, of Jonathan Bentley or of wicked tales turned twisted, then this book is for you. It will be a great gift for the 9+ kids or for people who still love their Fairy Tales. I think this book will be a handy addition to the Christmas stocking this year.
In true Shaun Micallef style, he puts a twist on the classic fairy tale to weave a wondrous story, or two for us to follow. There are twists and turns, with laughter to boot. I love the start of his blurb 'More grim than Grimms, less soppy than Aesop' This one line says it all.
If you are a fan of fairy tales, of Shaun Micallef, of Jonathan Bentley or of wicked tales turned twisted, then this book is for you. It will be a great gift for the 9+ kids or for people who still love their Fairy Tales. I think this book will be a handy addition to the Christmas stocking this year.
May 21, 2022
I believe this is meant to be a children's book and I read it with my 10 year old daughter, but adults will love it too. It brings together traditional and well-known fairy tales with Shaun Micallef's humour. It's "laugh-out-loud" funny.
December 29, 2017
I was so excited to receive ‘Tales from a Tall Forest’ by my favourite comedian, Shaun Micallef, for Christmas, and it did not disappoint. Quite aside from the quirky tales, the book itself is absolutely gorgeous – beautifully illustrated by Jonathan Bentley, and even lovelier, perhaps, when the dust jacket is removed.
Tales from a Tall Forest is described as Micallef’s first book for children, although, I struggled to determine what would be the ideal age range for this book. With the lavish illustrations and weaving together of well-known stories (Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk etc.) I can imagine young children enjoying it, even though the vocabulary would be challenging and the illustrations can be quite dark (as befits a fairytale, which were originally, pun intended, quite Grimm – one picture features Granny in a bloodsoaked nightdress after her removal from the wolf). On the other hand, I enjoyed the book as a quick and lighthearted read as an adult. Probably, the ideal reader is somewhere in between – a child who has moved on from the more sanitised versions of these classic tales and is looking for a challenging read.
Like Preincarnate, it’s not quite as funny as Smithereens (which was, in my view, the pinnacle of humour) but these Tales from a Tall Forest are still a jolly good read!
Tales from a Tall Forest is described as Micallef’s first book for children, although, I struggled to determine what would be the ideal age range for this book. With the lavish illustrations and weaving together of well-known stories (Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk etc.) I can imagine young children enjoying it, even though the vocabulary would be challenging and the illustrations can be quite dark (as befits a fairytale, which were originally, pun intended, quite Grimm – one picture features Granny in a bloodsoaked nightdress after her removal from the wolf). On the other hand, I enjoyed the book as a quick and lighthearted read as an adult. Probably, the ideal reader is somewhere in between – a child who has moved on from the more sanitised versions of these classic tales and is looking for a challenging read.
Like Preincarnate, it’s not quite as funny as Smithereens (which was, in my view, the pinnacle of humour) but these Tales from a Tall Forest are still a jolly good read!
June 17, 2021
Mi-a plăcut foarte tare această carte, deoarece sunt câteva povești unite în una singură. Vă recomand să citiți cartea.
December 29, 2024
its fun to read and its funny, I just kept zoning out here and there so I didn't engage with the story that much but that more of a me problem <3
January 7, 2018
First of all this book is gorgeous (physically) it's one of the most stunning books I've come across.
That aside I have honestly no idea where to begin. I loved how so many fairy tales wrapped together, intersecting to form this tale. It was a unique, hilarious, adorable retelling that just swept you along effortlessly. Brilliant.
That ending though ... I was with it all the way to the final chapter. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that. While it left me a little shocked it had me in stitches and finished up the book in a quirky way that I'd be hard pressed to forget.
That aside I have honestly no idea where to begin. I loved how so many fairy tales wrapped together, intersecting to form this tale. It was a unique, hilarious, adorable retelling that just swept you along effortlessly. Brilliant.
That ending though ... I was with it all the way to the final chapter. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that. While it left me a little shocked it had me in stitches and finished up the book in a quirky way that I'd be hard pressed to forget.
April 11, 2022
I already knew Shaun Micallef could write, having often watched his long-running TV series "Mad as Hell". That series is mostly political satire which is painful rather than funny, with the exception of the hilarious "Lamentable Puns" sketches.
Tales from a Tall Forest is clever, witty and entertaining, with beautiful artwork. One of the pictures made me laugh.
Tales from a Tall Forest is clever, witty and entertaining, with beautiful artwork. One of the pictures made me laugh.
October 22, 2017
While I'm still a bit confused as to whom the target audience is, I enjoyed the stories & it's a beautiful book to look through :)
March 11, 2024
Micallef is a devoted fan of the likes of the Marx Brothers, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and the Pythons, and this book, a series of interconnected fractured fairy tales derived from those collated by the Brothers Grimm, is undoubtedly influenced by the likes of these comedy legends. This is an appealing aspect of Tales from a Tall Forest, however I suspect that this element of the book will not be readily apparent to all but the comedy geeks, so the question that could be asked is how does Micallef make the book work if the reader is less aware of the influences on his prose? And, by association, is this a book that will work best with an adult audience or for kids?
Taking the second question first, I don't really believe that Tales from a Tall Forest is aimed at kids, and that's okay. The prose is definitely more adult in its vocabulary and tone, and the humour is certainly geared at an older audience. In the story 'The Fisherman and the Monkey and the Three Wishes' the aforementioned Monkey wants, among other things, to become as powerful as a God. That Micallef posits such an idea in his 'fairy tale' and then engages in a bit of silly theological chat is not going to make much sense to children. The same can be said when it comes to how Micallef speaks about the building of the candy house by Hengest and Horsa for Baby=a Yaga, which not includes cross-cutkural references but also a few jibes at the construction industry. Micallef is not going to win over the under-10s with this book.
As for the importance of Micallef's comedy references and influences, and if the book will be effective for those who aren't aware of them, truth be told I think if you are familiar with Micallef's work you are almost certainly a fan of the same comedians and writers he is. In his story 'The Wolf and the Princess and the Trail of Crumbs' he explicitly quotes Chico Marx from 'Duck Soup', whilst also rattling of the name of trees previously mentioned by the Pythons in 'The Lumberjack Song'. These none-too-hidden salutes to his comedy heroes, or for that matter the mention of literary characters such as Pangloss (derived undoubtedly from Voltaire's Candide) are really enjoyable. If you don't catch these references it might diminish one's appreciation, but as I said, if you like Micallef you'll be in on his secret.
It needs to be said that the illustrations in Tales from a Tall Forest are interesting and effective, in part because the book's artist, Jonathan Bentley, makes it clear that he is indebted to the influence of classic childrens' book illustrator Arthur Rackham. Bentley's work is clearly linked to the legendary artist, yet he also has a minimalist style of his own. It is both simple yet dense, and taken alongside Micallef's prose forms an effective creative vision.
Ultimately Tales from a Tall Forest is a worthy read and one that will appeal to devotees of Micallef, and to a lesser extent, adults intrigued by adaptations of children's literature for a grown up audience. I wasn't totally swept away by this book, but I was very happy to see all the 'comedy Easter Eggs' inserted by Micallef. Give it a look if so inclined and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Taking the second question first, I don't really believe that Tales from a Tall Forest is aimed at kids, and that's okay. The prose is definitely more adult in its vocabulary and tone, and the humour is certainly geared at an older audience. In the story 'The Fisherman and the Monkey and the Three Wishes' the aforementioned Monkey wants, among other things, to become as powerful as a God. That Micallef posits such an idea in his 'fairy tale' and then engages in a bit of silly theological chat is not going to make much sense to children. The same can be said when it comes to how Micallef speaks about the building of the candy house by Hengest and Horsa for Baby=a Yaga, which not includes cross-cutkural references but also a few jibes at the construction industry. Micallef is not going to win over the under-10s with this book.
As for the importance of Micallef's comedy references and influences, and if the book will be effective for those who aren't aware of them, truth be told I think if you are familiar with Micallef's work you are almost certainly a fan of the same comedians and writers he is. In his story 'The Wolf and the Princess and the Trail of Crumbs' he explicitly quotes Chico Marx from 'Duck Soup', whilst also rattling of the name of trees previously mentioned by the Pythons in 'The Lumberjack Song'. These none-too-hidden salutes to his comedy heroes, or for that matter the mention of literary characters such as Pangloss (derived undoubtedly from Voltaire's Candide) are really enjoyable. If you don't catch these references it might diminish one's appreciation, but as I said, if you like Micallef you'll be in on his secret.
It needs to be said that the illustrations in Tales from a Tall Forest are interesting and effective, in part because the book's artist, Jonathan Bentley, makes it clear that he is indebted to the influence of classic childrens' book illustrator Arthur Rackham. Bentley's work is clearly linked to the legendary artist, yet he also has a minimalist style of his own. It is both simple yet dense, and taken alongside Micallef's prose forms an effective creative vision.
Ultimately Tales from a Tall Forest is a worthy read and one that will appeal to devotees of Micallef, and to a lesser extent, adults intrigued by adaptations of children's literature for a grown up audience. I wasn't totally swept away by this book, but I was very happy to see all the 'comedy Easter Eggs' inserted by Micallef. Give it a look if so inclined and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
May 16, 2018
Evoking the 'familiar elements, rearranged' storytelling of a parent who has just read the final page of a book of fairy tales and is asked, "One more story, please!" Tales From a Tall Forest is an intensely entertaining mashup of characters and situations we know combined into a brisk, new(ish) three-part story.
It has gruesome moments that evoke the origin of these tales, fantastical elements and slightly twisted moral lessons that place it as loving tribute rather than mean-spirited deconstruction of the genre, and hides enough world-weary, adult-targeted wit (no surprise there for fans of Shaun Micallef) to entertain the storyteller as much as the child they are reading to.
Also of note is the beauty of the book itself - from the dust jacket, through its binding to the presentation of each individual page, this is a book that deserves a physical place on a physical bookshelf and to be read in the 'traditional' style.
I highly recommend this one, whether you plan to read it to children or not.
It has gruesome moments that evoke the origin of these tales, fantastical elements and slightly twisted moral lessons that place it as loving tribute rather than mean-spirited deconstruction of the genre, and hides enough world-weary, adult-targeted wit (no surprise there for fans of Shaun Micallef) to entertain the storyteller as much as the child they are reading to.
Also of note is the beauty of the book itself - from the dust jacket, through its binding to the presentation of each individual page, this is a book that deserves a physical place on a physical bookshelf and to be read in the 'traditional' style.
I highly recommend this one, whether you plan to read it to children or not.
April 29, 2018
It took me a very long time to get into the book, but after starting the Dewey's Read-a-thon, I was able to complete the book. I loved the fairytale retellings and the different take the author had on the fairytales. I really enjoyed how the different characters from the different fairytales intertwined with each other. I loved the illustrations and how they were all in black and white and having the only objects that were in colour were red! I also really liked the emphasis on certain words and the black streak of what looked like paint behind certain sentences and paragraphs. Overall I really enjoyed the stories and illustrations in the book and would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves retellings and to any families to read to their children.
November 20, 2018
This is a collection of 4 short stories which take elements and characters from traditional fairy tales and mash them together (like Jack and the Beanstalk mashed with The Emperor's New Clothes).
Reading age would be 8+, but I enjoyed them as an adult. Some of the elements, like calling Rumpelstiltskin "Rumple what's his name" require pre-existing knowledge of the fairy tales to get full enjoyment out of it, but it's not required.
Shaun narrates the audiobook himself. I always enjoy an author who can narrate their own work, as you hear it in the intended tone on voice - in this case, very matter-of-fact.
I fully enjoyed and highly recommend this audiobook if you're looking for something short and fun.
Reading age would be 8+, but I enjoyed them as an adult. Some of the elements, like calling Rumpelstiltskin "Rumple what's his name" require pre-existing knowledge of the fairy tales to get full enjoyment out of it, but it's not required.
Shaun narrates the audiobook himself. I always enjoy an author who can narrate their own work, as you hear it in the intended tone on voice - in this case, very matter-of-fact.
I fully enjoyed and highly recommend this audiobook if you're looking for something short and fun.
September 2, 2018
Volumul cuprinde o introducere, trei povești care nu au neapărat legătură între ele și un epilog. Cartea îmi aduce oarecum aminte de ,,O poveste grimminală” de Adam Gidwitz pentru că acțiunea combină mai multe basme ale fraților Grimm, adăugând personaje interesante și amuzante sau schimbând contextul în care ele evoluează: Scufița Roșie îl întâlnește pe pădurarul prințesei Mathilda, croitorașul cel viteaz se cațără pe vrejul de fasole și regele poartă o mantie a invizibilității în loc de hainele cele noi. Ilustrațiile sunt superbe, în alb-negru cu mici detalii roșii și mia-u plăcut foarte, foarte mult.
November 23, 2018
Cute illustrations, first two were funny but nothing out of the ordinary. Last story was a DNF. Reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett.
Three pros: lovely illustrations, quick read, parody of well known fairy tales if you’re into fairy tales.
Three cons:
I can’t tell if the book is mean to be middle grade or written for adults. Some parts feel very child like but some bits are written for adults.
The book is probably more fun if you get all the story references. The first one was fun for that reason.
The third story I just couldn’t get into.
Three pros: lovely illustrations, quick read, parody of well known fairy tales if you’re into fairy tales.
Three cons:
I can’t tell if the book is mean to be middle grade or written for adults. Some parts feel very child like but some bits are written for adults.
The book is probably more fun if you get all the story references. The first one was fun for that reason.
The third story I just couldn’t get into.
May 9, 2021
So it took me a while to actually comprehend if I personally liked it or not, it was just so... strange. But the moments of comedic genius compelled me to look past my constant "wtf"'s (especially with that last story about the duck... I'm still thinking about that) and realise that this book is actually pretty good. Then again, I'm not the target audience.
The stories were wacky but creative and extremely enjoyable. The jokes are witty and clever in Shaun Micallef's usual style, and were suitable for both children and adults alike. The book was generally a quick, easy and fun read.
The stories were wacky but creative and extremely enjoyable. The jokes are witty and clever in Shaun Micallef's usual style, and were suitable for both children and adults alike. The book was generally a quick, easy and fun read.
June 22, 2018
I love Shaun Micallef’s dry humour which you can clearly hear as you read this reinterpretation of classic fairy tales. But I’m not sure it would really work for most kids, which is the intended audience. I certainly don’t understand why it made the 2018 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notables list for best picture book. This is not to criticise the illustrations by Jonathan Bentley, but really the book is not a picture book but rather a chapter book.
March 10, 2020
You are better off reading the 'original' tales. There is nothing funny about the pretentiousness with which the author chooses to mix the characters from different fairy tales or how we explains in excrutiating detail that Snow White is beautiful and her step mother is jealous. I love fractured fairy tales, but only when they bring something new. This was not fun and it brought nothing to the table.
January 26, 2022
Adorato.
La cornice è molto carina e la prosa deliziosa.
Qualcosa deve essere andato storto con l'impaginazione del finale della storia del pescatore, ma non mi importa.
Ho trovato i disegni meravigliosi e l'inteeccio delle fiabe riuscito alla perfezione. È stato molto soddisfacente riconoscere tutte le ispirazioni e la lettura è stata fluida e scorrevole. L'avrò letto in un paio d'ore, ma me lo sono proprio goduto.
La cornice è molto carina e la prosa deliziosa.
Qualcosa deve essere andato storto con l'impaginazione del finale della storia del pescatore, ma non mi importa.
Ho trovato i disegni meravigliosi e l'inteeccio delle fiabe riuscito alla perfezione. È stato molto soddisfacente riconoscere tutte le ispirazioni e la lettura è stata fluida e scorrevole. L'avrò letto in un paio d'ore, ma me lo sono proprio goduto.
September 9, 2017
I cannot find the proper words to describe how much I loved this collection of stories.
It was hilarious in typical Shaun Micallef style, and kids of all ages and even adults will love it to bits.
I loved every element, from the incredible illustrations to the absolute absurdedness of some of the stories.
It was hilarious in typical Shaun Micallef style, and kids of all ages and even adults will love it to bits.
I loved every element, from the incredible illustrations to the absolute absurdedness of some of the stories.
June 17, 2018
actually a 3.5
heaps of fun, light hearted, nonsense. I'm a bit unsure of the audience as the stories read like it's for children but Micallef is using his considerable vocabulary.
hard to pick a favourite tale as there were amazing and not so amazing parts to all 3 quite consistently.
must be read in micallef's tone of voice for most effective delivery.
heaps of fun, light hearted, nonsense. I'm a bit unsure of the audience as the stories read like it's for children but Micallef is using his considerable vocabulary.
hard to pick a favourite tale as there were amazing and not so amazing parts to all 3 quite consistently.
must be read in micallef's tone of voice for most effective delivery.
January 6, 2019
Read it to my son as a bedtime story. Kept both our interest alive and added a funny twist to the old time classics like Snow White, Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood. All three stories are connected and take place in the same kingdom. This adds an even more interesting twist to this book.
I recommend it as a easy, fun and interesting fairytale reading.
I recommend it as a easy, fun and interesting fairytale reading.
May 1, 2019
I generally enjoy reworked fairytales and I usually like Shaun Micallef -so I feel a bit bad saying this- but this just fell flat for me. I don't feel like it added anything new to the mass of fairytale-retellings already in existence, and the writing wasn't good enough to get away with the lack of new story.
November 11, 2025
This was an ok book. It was so great...until the end. It was a fairytale mix-up, and was really good! Then when i went to the end, there was a mini story. So i read it. In that mini story, they make two guys almost get married. They are about to get married when the wedding is interrupted. So in the end, they do not get married. Still, this made the book a 2 star.
October 18, 2017
This book was amazing! Shaun Micallef intertwines all the classic fairy tales into outrageous but hilarious new tales. All the tales connect to each other and the illustrations are simply beautiful!
October 23, 2017
Don't limit this to the kids !
I love Shaun Micallef's humour and it shines through in this hilarious re-telling and combining of many well-known fairy tales into three quirky tales. The berating of Tiny Poncho Girl for not being able to tell her Grandmother from a wolf was a highlight.
I love Shaun Micallef's humour and it shines through in this hilarious re-telling and combining of many well-known fairy tales into three quirky tales. The berating of Tiny Poncho Girl for not being able to tell her Grandmother from a wolf was a highlight.
January 17, 2018
A good book, but you need to appreciate Shaun Micallef's humour to like it. Although it is marketed as a children's book, but I imagine it's probably targeted towards older children (and adults too).
The book itself is beautifully laid out with wonderful illustration.
The book itself is beautifully laid out with wonderful illustration.
January 29, 2018
A fantastic book for kids and fans of Shaun Micallef.
This book pays tribute to, yet completely reinvents, the stories of our childhood.
It doesn't matter how old you are this book is brilliant for a giggle.
This book pays tribute to, yet completely reinvents, the stories of our childhood.
It doesn't matter how old you are this book is brilliant for a giggle.
March 4, 2018
Some quick fun stories with fantastic illustrations. Dark in the vein of the Grimm's tales but with enough humour to keep them going. While it is a children's book there is adult subtext like the woodsman having "coffee" with the local marries stick seller.
January 1, 2024
A beautifully designed nod to the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales, cleverly written with topsy turvy twists and turns and an ample dose of humour. There's something here for everyone; but especially lovers of classic fairy tales.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews