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The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale
Following the breakout successes of The Night I Met Father Christmas and The Boy Who Made the World Disappear, get ready for the brilliant NEW novel from actor, comedian and bestselling author Ben Miller, perfect for fans of Matt Haig and David Baddiel! Featuring beautiful illustrations throughout from Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.
Lana loves stories. Especially the ones she and her brother, Harrison, share in their make-believe games. But when Harrison decides he’s too grown-up to play with Lana she finds herself feeling lonely. Until something magical happens…
Hidden in the strange new supermarket in town, Lana discovers a portal to a fairytale world! But these aren’t the happy-ever-after fairytales that Lana knows, they are darker and more dangerous, and the characters need Lana’s help to defeat an evil witch. But she can’t do it alone. Can she convince Harrison to believe in stories again and journey to the world with her. . . before it’s too late?
This is a story about stories, but it’s also about a brother and a sister finding their way back to each other through the power of imagination.
Lana loves stories. Especially the ones she and her brother, Harrison, share in their make-believe games. But when Harrison decides he’s too grown-up to play with Lana she finds herself feeling lonely. Until something magical happens…
Hidden in the strange new supermarket in town, Lana discovers a portal to a fairytale world! But these aren’t the happy-ever-after fairytales that Lana knows, they are darker and more dangerous, and the characters need Lana’s help to defeat an evil witch. But she can’t do it alone. Can she convince Harrison to believe in stories again and journey to the world with her. . . before it’s too late?
This is a story about stories, but it’s also about a brother and a sister finding their way back to each other through the power of imagination.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2020
143 people are currently reading
1456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
April 19, 2024
Bardzo pocieszna i taka ciepła historia
March 23, 2021
This is my first Ben Miller read. I have heard such great things about his books and his imagination on intermingling classic stories with the modern world. After reading this, all I can say is I am very disappointed.
Lana is nine years old and she is on school holidays. She has a brother Harrison who is twelve years old but he is much too serious about studying that he doesn't have any time to spend with Lana. Lana's mother takes her to a supermarket that came out of nowhere overnight. When they get to the supermarket, there are huge discounts but there is only one little old man who works there and changes disguises. He ends up selling a classic fairytales book to Lana's mother for Lana. But he does warn that these fairytales are much too scary for Lana.
'If you want a child to read something...' he whispered to himself. 'Tell her it's forbidden.'
Lana can't wait to read the book. When Lana's mother starts reading, she realizes that these stories are in fact quite scary for Lana as these are original Grimm's stories. But Lana wants to know the stories so her mother reads her the least scary one, The sleeping beauty. But before she could finish the story, Lana's mother feels tired and goes to sleep taking the book along with her.
Lana goes to the supermarket the next day with her dad and that same little old man takes her to where the candy is and pushes her through a chute which happens to be a portal for The sleeping beauty and when Lana realizes she ends up bolting from there. Then next day, she wants to go the supermarket with Harrison as she feels that she has to save Briar Rose, the princess from The sleeping beauty. When she tells Harrison, he doesn't believe her but the little old man suggests to take Harrison with her.
Lana and Harrison both go into the fairytale and they help Briar Rose and the kingdom. They both think that this is the fairytale's happy ever after but the little old man says that it is not. They go back into it again and find out that Briar Rose had twins named Hansel and Gretel. Lana and Harrison get stuck in the fairytale and it is revealed that the little old man is Rumpelstiltskin and it was his idea to have a supermarket in the mortal world to trap children for the witch to eat. Somehow, Lana and Harrison are saved and all is good and they get back to the mortal world and the supermarket is gone overnight just as it came overnight.
I'll start with the things that I liked. I liked that the author intermingled couple of different classic fairytales with the modern world. I liked the writing. That's it. That's all I liked.
What I didn't like was the execution of the idea. I didn't like any of the characters. They were all one-dimensional. I also wasn't convinced with saving the fairytales as the author didn't really explain it well. If Lana had just read the book, she might have found out how it ends but yeah obviously it was a ploy to save the fairytale or whatever.
What's with the authors getting away with the kids lying? Lana lies at the beginning few times. I'll explain - Lana starts using her mother's perfume but when someone catches her, she ends up spritzing the perfume in her eye and looks like she's crying and when the other person asks, what's wrong? Instead of telling the truth about her eye watering, she says what ever happened earlier and that's what upset her. I mean surely the author sees that this whole thing is wrong but it's in the book and it doesn't happen just once. This book is targeted at 9-12 year old kids, obviously the kids reading all this in a book think it is okay to lie and not tell the truth. I am seeing this trend increase lately in all the middle-grade and some elementary books as well and no one questions this and I don't know why.
Also, the parents never even once questioned the supermarket appearing overnight and disappearing overnight. All they care about are the discounts. On the disappearing, here's what they say - 'Do you really think that's what happened?'
'No planning permission is my guess,' he said. 'Why else would it disappear overnight?'
But that was as far as their conversation got, because at that moment, it began to rain.
I am not impressed.
2 stars
Lana is nine years old and she is on school holidays. She has a brother Harrison who is twelve years old but he is much too serious about studying that he doesn't have any time to spend with Lana. Lana's mother takes her to a supermarket that came out of nowhere overnight. When they get to the supermarket, there are huge discounts but there is only one little old man who works there and changes disguises. He ends up selling a classic fairytales book to Lana's mother for Lana. But he does warn that these fairytales are much too scary for Lana.
'If you want a child to read something...' he whispered to himself. 'Tell her it's forbidden.'
Lana can't wait to read the book. When Lana's mother starts reading, she realizes that these stories are in fact quite scary for Lana as these are original Grimm's stories. But Lana wants to know the stories so her mother reads her the least scary one, The sleeping beauty. But before she could finish the story, Lana's mother feels tired and goes to sleep taking the book along with her.
Lana goes to the supermarket the next day with her dad and that same little old man takes her to where the candy is and pushes her through a chute which happens to be a portal for The sleeping beauty and when Lana realizes she ends up bolting from there. Then next day, she wants to go the supermarket with Harrison as she feels that she has to save Briar Rose, the princess from The sleeping beauty. When she tells Harrison, he doesn't believe her but the little old man suggests to take Harrison with her.
Lana and Harrison both go into the fairytale and they help Briar Rose and the kingdom. They both think that this is the fairytale's happy ever after but the little old man says that it is not. They go back into it again and find out that Briar Rose had twins named Hansel and Gretel. Lana and Harrison get stuck in the fairytale and it is revealed that the little old man is Rumpelstiltskin and it was his idea to have a supermarket in the mortal world to trap children for the witch to eat. Somehow, Lana and Harrison are saved and all is good and they get back to the mortal world and the supermarket is gone overnight just as it came overnight.
I'll start with the things that I liked. I liked that the author intermingled couple of different classic fairytales with the modern world. I liked the writing. That's it. That's all I liked.
What I didn't like was the execution of the idea. I didn't like any of the characters. They were all one-dimensional. I also wasn't convinced with saving the fairytales as the author didn't really explain it well. If Lana had just read the book, she might have found out how it ends but yeah obviously it was a ploy to save the fairytale or whatever.
What's with the authors getting away with the kids lying? Lana lies at the beginning few times. I'll explain - Lana starts using her mother's perfume but when someone catches her, she ends up spritzing the perfume in her eye and looks like she's crying and when the other person asks, what's wrong? Instead of telling the truth about her eye watering, she says what ever happened earlier and that's what upset her. I mean surely the author sees that this whole thing is wrong but it's in the book and it doesn't happen just once. This book is targeted at 9-12 year old kids, obviously the kids reading all this in a book think it is okay to lie and not tell the truth. I am seeing this trend increase lately in all the middle-grade and some elementary books as well and no one questions this and I don't know why.
Also, the parents never even once questioned the supermarket appearing overnight and disappearing overnight. All they care about are the discounts. On the disappearing, here's what they say - 'Do you really think that's what happened?'
'No planning permission is my guess,' he said. 'Why else would it disappear overnight?'
But that was as far as their conversation got, because at that moment, it began to rain.
I am not impressed.
2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2021
A very enjoyable reworking of some old fairy tales.
Lana is frustrated because her older brother, Harrison, (now at secondary school) would much rather study than play with her. When a new supermarket miraculously appears overnight in her town, Lana goes with her mother to investigate, and comes across a book of fairy tales. The strange little shopkeeper tells Lana, that it is far too scary for her (making her want it all the more), and tells her mother (who loves a bargain) that it is very cheap. So, of course, her mother is persuaded to buy it.
Soon after starting the book, Lana is diving into the pick-and-mix and finding herself in the middle of the story of Sleeping Beauty. She needs help to save Briar Rose, and manages to convince Harrison to leave his books long enough to accompany her to the fairy tale land.
Because it is a modern retelling, the Prince is not keen to kiss Briar Rose on the lips while she is sleeping so unable to give consent (Hurrah for children being made aware of the importance of consent!), but is convinced that her kissing her hand is probably OK – just as well or she would never wake up, and the story would be a bit of a mess.
All seems to end well (and as expected) – when Briar Rose marries the Prince – but of course, there is a twist, and suddenly the two children find themselves in another fairy tale. And this time, it is them in danger.
Harrison’s school learning has helped the children get out of several bad situations, but it is Lana’s love of stories that saves the day:
I listened to the audio book, narrated by the author, Ben Miller, and would recommend that or the hard copy to anyone who likes fairy tales – young or old.
Lana is frustrated because her older brother, Harrison, (now at secondary school) would much rather study than play with her. When a new supermarket miraculously appears overnight in her town, Lana goes with her mother to investigate, and comes across a book of fairy tales. The strange little shopkeeper tells Lana, that it is far too scary for her (making her want it all the more), and tells her mother (who loves a bargain) that it is very cheap. So, of course, her mother is persuaded to buy it.
Soon after starting the book, Lana is diving into the pick-and-mix and finding herself in the middle of the story of Sleeping Beauty. She needs help to save Briar Rose, and manages to convince Harrison to leave his books long enough to accompany her to the fairy tale land.
Because it is a modern retelling, the Prince is not keen to kiss Briar Rose on the lips while she is sleeping so unable to give consent (Hurrah for children being made aware of the importance of consent!), but is convinced that her kissing her hand is probably OK – just as well or she would never wake up, and the story would be a bit of a mess.
All seems to end well (and as expected) – when Briar Rose marries the Prince – but of course, there is a twist, and suddenly the two children find themselves in another fairy tale. And this time, it is them in danger.
Harrison’s school learning has helped the children get out of several bad situations, but it is Lana’s love of stories that saves the day:
“everyone loves a story when the can see themselves as one of the characters”
I listened to the audio book, narrated by the author, Ben Miller, and would recommend that or the hard copy to anyone who likes fairy tales – young or old.
December 26, 2022
Good book to read to younger children.
March 27, 2022
Mõnusalt kerge fantaasiarikas seiklus koos tänapäevaste õppetundidega.
Päev, mil kukutakse muinasjuttu on elumuutev igaühe jaoks, kellega see juhtub ja nii ka 8aastase Lana jaoks. Olgugi, et jalutada saab Okasroosikese lossis, seigelda ja kohtuda printsessidega ootavad ees ka mitmed katsumused ja kurjad jõud tahavad muudkui kaikaid kodarasse visata. Õnneks ei pea Lana seda kõike üksi läbi tegema, vaid seltsiliseks on vend Harrison ning muud vahvad tegelased, keda teepeal kohatakse.
Lugu on hästi kerge ja lihtne, väga süvitsi maailmaloome iga karakterite ülesehitamisega ei minda, aga lugemine ja õppetunnid on nii nauditavad, et see üldse ei häiri, vaid äkki just teebki mõnusamaks. Väga lahedalt ja loomulikult käsitleti nõusoleku teemat, kes ja millal võib kellegi keha katsuda ja kes ja kuidas selleks nõusoleku anda saab. See ei mõjunud peale suruvalt, vaid nii loomulikult ja ilusalt, tahaks, et rohkem oleks selliseid asju välja toodud raamatutes igale vanusele. Tavaliselt kipub koolis õpitu kiitmine olema stiilis "aa jaa eelmine nädal õpetaja just rääkis, et vot kui segan kokku selle haruldase aine, mis mul juhuslikult taskus on ja selle teise aine, siis saangi täpselt selle asja, mis meid aitab", mis on ka tore aga oh kui lahedalt selles loos mõistsin kui kasulik on ikka üldhariduskoolis õpitu, kuidas me ei ei pane tähelegi kui palju seda tegelikult igapäeva elus kasutame ja kui vahvalt seda läks vaja ka muinasjutus kitsaskohtadest välja tulekutest.
-
"Miks te mulle ei rääkinud?" nõudis Okasroosike.
"Me ei tahtnud sind hirmutada," vastas kuninganna.
"Aga kuidas saan ma ohtu vältida, kui ma sellest ei teagi?"
-
"Kui tahad, et laps midagi loeks ..." sosistas ta endamisi. "Ütle talle, et see on keelatud."
Päev, mil kukutakse muinasjuttu on elumuutev igaühe jaoks, kellega see juhtub ja nii ka 8aastase Lana jaoks. Olgugi, et jalutada saab Okasroosikese lossis, seigelda ja kohtuda printsessidega ootavad ees ka mitmed katsumused ja kurjad jõud tahavad muudkui kaikaid kodarasse visata. Õnneks ei pea Lana seda kõike üksi läbi tegema, vaid seltsiliseks on vend Harrison ning muud vahvad tegelased, keda teepeal kohatakse.
Lugu on hästi kerge ja lihtne, väga süvitsi maailmaloome iga karakterite ülesehitamisega ei minda, aga lugemine ja õppetunnid on nii nauditavad, et see üldse ei häiri, vaid äkki just teebki mõnusamaks. Väga lahedalt ja loomulikult käsitleti nõusoleku teemat, kes ja millal võib kellegi keha katsuda ja kes ja kuidas selleks nõusoleku anda saab. See ei mõjunud peale suruvalt, vaid nii loomulikult ja ilusalt, tahaks, et rohkem oleks selliseid asju välja toodud raamatutes igale vanusele. Tavaliselt kipub koolis õpitu kiitmine olema stiilis "aa jaa eelmine nädal õpetaja just rääkis, et vot kui segan kokku selle haruldase aine, mis mul juhuslikult taskus on ja selle teise aine, siis saangi täpselt selle asja, mis meid aitab", mis on ka tore aga oh kui lahedalt selles loos mõistsin kui kasulik on ikka üldhariduskoolis õpitu, kuidas me ei ei pane tähelegi kui palju seda tegelikult igapäeva elus kasutame ja kui vahvalt seda läks vaja ka muinasjutus kitsaskohtadest välja tulekutest.
-
"Miks te mulle ei rääkinud?" nõudis Okasroosike.
"Me ei tahtnud sind hirmutada," vastas kuninganna.
"Aga kuidas saan ma ohtu vältida, kui ma sellest ei teagi?"
-
"Kui tahad, et laps midagi loeks ..." sosistas ta endamisi. "Ütle talle, et see on keelatud."
February 10, 2023
Although I mostly read YA, NA and Adult novels I love reading middle grade and children's books once in a while. The title of this book, I'm a fairytale lover after all, made me curious already and when Zon was at some point selling copies for 5 euro each I couldn't resist anymore. Today I needed a quick and easy read, so this seemed the perfect fit.
This is a children's book as children's books should be. It doesn't care one bit about the adults reading the book. It doesn't have hidden and deep layers. It doesn't have an emotional moral kids don't get, but parents have to cry over. It's entertaining, it has loads of adventure and it has kids as the heroes of the story.
The author did a great job playing around with fairytales. Effortlessly he combines the tale of Sleeping Beauty with Hansel and Gretel, inserts a touch of Swan Lake and a little bit of Rumplestiltskin and has some honorable mentions for Brother and Sister. I'm not sure if the kids will know all these stories when reading this book, but they will certainly wanna discover them afterwards.
The book also has a clear end and a clear beginning, a nice big font that makes it easy for kids to read the book themselves without their parents reading the story to them (although it's the perfect book to read to them too) and once in a while the author inserted some illustrations making the story even more vivid for the kids.
Not very special through adult eyes, but without a doubt a favorite among children!
This is a children's book as children's books should be. It doesn't care one bit about the adults reading the book. It doesn't have hidden and deep layers. It doesn't have an emotional moral kids don't get, but parents have to cry over. It's entertaining, it has loads of adventure and it has kids as the heroes of the story.
The author did a great job playing around with fairytales. Effortlessly he combines the tale of Sleeping Beauty with Hansel and Gretel, inserts a touch of Swan Lake and a little bit of Rumplestiltskin and has some honorable mentions for Brother and Sister. I'm not sure if the kids will know all these stories when reading this book, but they will certainly wanna discover them afterwards.
The book also has a clear end and a clear beginning, a nice big font that makes it easy for kids to read the book themselves without their parents reading the story to them (although it's the perfect book to read to them too) and once in a while the author inserted some illustrations making the story even more vivid for the kids.
Not very special through adult eyes, but without a doubt a favorite among children!
December 31, 2022
Võtsin raamatu kätte üsna kõhklevalt, kuid leidsin eest mõnusa loo. Lana ja Harrisoni elukoha lähedale kerkib üleöö supermarket, kust Lana leiab eest värava muinasjutumaailma. Et muinasjutud ikka hästi lõppeks, peab Lana koos vennaga midagi ette võtma.
Arvan, et see raamat sobib nii esimese kui teise kooliastme õpilastele ja kõigile muinasjutusõpradele. Põnev ja kaasahaarav raamat.
Arvan, et see raamat sobib nii esimese kui teise kooliastme õpilastele ja kõigile muinasjutusõpradele. Põnev ja kaasahaarav raamat.
May 20, 2023
Jestem baaardzooo zmęczona codziennością, więc Miller przyszedł mi z pomocą i przeniósł mnie do świetnej przygody. Zwykle powieści dla dzieci (nie dla młodzieży, nie dla młodszej młodzieży, to istotne) sprawiają, że trochę kręcę nosem, ale nie u tego autora. Uwielbiam jego pomysły!
July 5, 2023
Πολύ ευχάριστο βιβλίο, με ήρωες δυο καθημερινά παιδιά και πολλούς ήρωες των παραμυθιών. Αν και πολύ σύντομο βιβλίο, η πλοκή ήταν δυνατή, με ένα ευχάριστο cliffhanger, βγαλμένο επίσης από τον κόσμο των παραμυθιών. Πολύ καλή και η εικονογράφηση, θα το πρότεινα σε όλα τα παιδιά του μικρού δημοτικού που έχουν τώρα διακοπές, σε όλους τους μεγάλους που αισθάνονται παιδιά, και ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον goodnight story για να διαβάσουν οι γονείς σε μικρότερα παιδιά!
March 2, 2023
Još jedno od Propolisovih izdanja koje je u pravo vreme, kada mi je to bilo neophodno, uspelo da me razonodi, razveseli, opusti i probudi balavca u meni 🙆 doduše, i ne dozvoljava mu se da se dugo uspava s obzirom da drugari iz Propolisa ubrzo spreme nešto zanimljivo za njegovu dušu 😄😜
U ovoj knjizi pratimo avanture devojčice Lane i njenog starijeg brata Harisona (na kraju u zahvalnici saznajemo da je autor knjigu posvetio svojoj istoimenoj deci) u čijem selu se jednog dana misteriozno, preko noći, pojavio supermarket "Grimovi". Prilikom prve posete sa mamom i istraživanja polica sa bombonama, Lana otkriva portal koji je vodi u bajku o Trnovoj Ružici u kojoj će i sama biti jedan od aktera. Brat joj u početku, po Laninom povratku u realni svet, ne veruje o doživljenoj avanturi, međutim, kada i sam poseti supermarket i uveri se u postojanje bajkovitog sveta, pridružuje se sestri da zajedničkim snagama pomognu junacima bajke da pobede zlo, kako bi priča dobila srećan kraj.💫
U ovoj knjizi su bajke o Trnovoj Ružici i Ivici i Marici (možda postoje elementi još neke bajke, ali ih ja nisam prepoznao) spojene u jednu, uz malo simpatičnog, savremenog humora i za nijansu ozbiljnije od originalnih bajki. Priča o Lani i Harisonu inicijalno podseća na Lusi i Edmonda iz Letopisa Narnije - mlađa sestrica koja ubeđuje starijeg brata u postojanje bajkovitog sveta, a on joj ne veruje jer je u godinama kada je prerastao detinjasta maštanja i preokupiran je obavezama u školi.
Ilustracije su božanstvene, kao i ruže na marginama stranica u kojima se propoveda bajka. Zao mi je što ih nije bilo malo više 🩵
Suma sumarum: knjigu svakako preporučujem i klincima po godinama i balavcima u godinama 😜 čeka vas jedna simpatična, na momente komična interpretacija dobro poznatih bajki, sa dva "slučajno upala" junaka koji će svojom hrabrošću i dovitljivošću pomoći da epilog bude srećan 🩵
U ovoj knjizi pratimo avanture devojčice Lane i njenog starijeg brata Harisona (na kraju u zahvalnici saznajemo da je autor knjigu posvetio svojoj istoimenoj deci) u čijem selu se jednog dana misteriozno, preko noći, pojavio supermarket "Grimovi". Prilikom prve posete sa mamom i istraživanja polica sa bombonama, Lana otkriva portal koji je vodi u bajku o Trnovoj Ružici u kojoj će i sama biti jedan od aktera. Brat joj u početku, po Laninom povratku u realni svet, ne veruje o doživljenoj avanturi, međutim, kada i sam poseti supermarket i uveri se u postojanje bajkovitog sveta, pridružuje se sestri da zajedničkim snagama pomognu junacima bajke da pobede zlo, kako bi priča dobila srećan kraj.💫
U ovoj knjizi su bajke o Trnovoj Ružici i Ivici i Marici (možda postoje elementi još neke bajke, ali ih ja nisam prepoznao) spojene u jednu, uz malo simpatičnog, savremenog humora i za nijansu ozbiljnije od originalnih bajki. Priča o Lani i Harisonu inicijalno podseća na Lusi i Edmonda iz Letopisa Narnije - mlađa sestrica koja ubeđuje starijeg brata u postojanje bajkovitog sveta, a on joj ne veruje jer je u godinama kada je prerastao detinjasta maštanja i preokupiran je obavezama u školi.
Ilustracije su božanstvene, kao i ruže na marginama stranica u kojima se propoveda bajka. Zao mi je što ih nije bilo malo više 🩵
Suma sumarum: knjigu svakako preporučujem i klincima po godinama i balavcima u godinama 😜 čeka vas jedna simpatična, na momente komična interpretacija dobro poznatih bajki, sa dva "slučajno upala" junaka koji će svojom hrabrošću i dovitljivošću pomoći da epilog bude srećan 🩵
July 8, 2024
Podobała mi się o wiele bardziej, niż poprzednia książka autora! No bo powiedzmy sobie szczerze - kto czytając te wszystkie baśnie nie chciał kiedyś w nich wylądować? Fajnie to zostało rozwiązane tutaj i jeszcze fajniejsze jest to, że te baśnie nie są tymi słodkimi wersjami, które znamy z Disneya, tylko bliżej im do tych oryginalnych Grimmowskich, ale poprowadzone tak, że i młodsze i starsze pokolenie będzie się dobrze bawiło. Naprawdę urocza i dobrze napisana książka nie tylko dla młodszych.
November 2, 2022
Moja ocena 3.7
Više je za decu i sigurna sam da bi im i utisci bili bolji 🙂🌟
Više je za decu i sigurna sam da bi im i utisci bili bolji 🙂🌟
July 17, 2024
Сладка, но определено за деца
May 16, 2025
3.5⭐️!!
April 15, 2021
*1.5
THE DAY I FELL INTO A FAIRYTALE by BEN MILLER is a children’s adventure book following Lana, a nine-year old girl who finds a portal to the stories in her book in a supermarket which mysteriously appeared in her town overnight.
Although the premise sounded interesting and promised a darker side to the classic tales we all know and love, the execution fell flat for me, from the characters to the prose to the plot, this was not the fantastic read I was expecting.
To begin with the protagonists, the narrative mainly focuses on Lana and then her older brother, Harrison. They drove the story forward however they were so underdeveloped. They were cardboard cutouts, offering nothing interesting and nothing to root for. Their dialogue was tiring and their personalities blank.
The antagonists of the story were also so bad. I understood the Witch’s motivation but they were so weak and stupid I couldn’t help but laugh.
The plot itself had major issues. Lana kept delving into random chapters of the fairytales she’s reading about, which caused even more problems. Surely all of that could've been avoided if she just finished the story? Or googled the ending?
The writing style irked me. It was so amateurish and juvenile, it felt like something we would write in year eight English class. Maybe I’m being too harsh, this book is aimed at a young audience and children don’t need a complex writing style filled with metaphors and allegories, but to make it so bland and basic is insulting to their intelligence.
In conclusion, I am struggling to find anything I enjoyed about this book. Typically, I enjoy novels about fairy tales but unfortunately, this was not one of them.
THE DAY I FELL INTO A FAIRYTALE by BEN MILLER is a children’s adventure book following Lana, a nine-year old girl who finds a portal to the stories in her book in a supermarket which mysteriously appeared in her town overnight.
Although the premise sounded interesting and promised a darker side to the classic tales we all know and love, the execution fell flat for me, from the characters to the prose to the plot, this was not the fantastic read I was expecting.
To begin with the protagonists, the narrative mainly focuses on Lana and then her older brother, Harrison. They drove the story forward however they were so underdeveloped. They were cardboard cutouts, offering nothing interesting and nothing to root for. Their dialogue was tiring and their personalities blank.
The antagonists of the story were also so bad. I understood the Witch’s motivation but they were so weak and stupid I couldn’t help but laugh.
The plot itself had major issues. Lana kept delving into random chapters of the fairytales she’s reading about, which caused even more problems. Surely all of that could've been avoided if she just finished the story? Or googled the ending?
The writing style irked me. It was so amateurish and juvenile, it felt like something we would write in year eight English class. Maybe I’m being too harsh, this book is aimed at a young audience and children don’t need a complex writing style filled with metaphors and allegories, but to make it so bland and basic is insulting to their intelligence.
In conclusion, I am struggling to find anything I enjoyed about this book. Typically, I enjoy novels about fairy tales but unfortunately, this was not one of them.
September 17, 2020
This completes a loose trilogy of books written by Ben Miller for each of his three children. It is a charming and mildly entertaining book, with a level of language which is likely to be a worthwhile challenge for anyone at the age the book is pitched at (9 to 11 maybe?). There isn't much here to make it stand out from novels at the same level and the story lacks forward momentum. The main characters aren't really active in the events of the story until the finale, which is rushed and relies upon villains making unlikely decisions. The central characters aren't that developed, which is a shame considering their basis in reality.
Quirky, but not the most compelling read.
Quirky, but not the most compelling read.
April 26, 2023
The reason I read this is because I am a fan of Ben Miller. He is a very interesting actor who is the lead in Professor T and Death in Paradise.
It is a bit like a mixed bag of fairytales. Lana falls into a tunnel in a magical supermarket. And I like the way it teases us about how children are being kept safe from anything scary.
The story is a retelling of sleeping beauty. And then it mixed into another story as well. I like the way it tells from the child's perceptive. It is not as scary as I thought.
After I finished the book, I found out that the book series is just a love note to his own children. So he wrote two books for his sons, and this one is for his daughter. How sweet. Recommended as a read out loud before bed reading.
It is a bit like a mixed bag of fairytales. Lana falls into a tunnel in a magical supermarket. And I like the way it teases us about how children are being kept safe from anything scary.
The story is a retelling of sleeping beauty. And then it mixed into another story as well. I like the way it tells from the child's perceptive. It is not as scary as I thought.
After I finished the book, I found out that the book series is just a love note to his own children. So he wrote two books for his sons, and this one is for his daughter. How sweet. Recommended as a read out loud before bed reading.
March 5, 2021
Lana is an imaginative child who is desperate to read stories that excite and interest her. When she finds a fairytale book in the brand new supermarket by their house, she is thrilled but everyone keeps telling her that she is too young to read these 'scary stories'. However, after gaining the interest of the strange shop owner, she finds a portal leading to different places in the fairytale world!
A book about growing up, bonding with a sibling and overcoming challenges for lower KS2 and above.
For me, the ending fell a little flat of my expectations but I’d still use it and get the children to write a new one!
A book about growing up, bonding with a sibling and overcoming challenges for lower KS2 and above.
For me, the ending fell a little flat of my expectations but I’d still use it and get the children to write a new one!
February 17, 2024
A mai világ és a Grimm-mesék ötletes találkozása, testvérproblémák, mese és valóság keveredése annyira, hogy a végén szándékosan kétértelműre hagyták, mi is történt valójában. Ez a 13 évesnek és a felnőttnek nagyon tetszett, a kilencévesnek kevésbé. Ami viszont előtte volt, azt mindenki nagyon élvezte, de persze ez sem esti mesének való, olyan brutális függővégei vannak a fejezeteknek. A vége felé közeledve inkább nappalra hagytuk, és egyben olvastuk a végét. Önálló olvasásra nagyon jó lehet, letehetetlen!
June 18, 2022
I loved it! Just amazing how several stories are being mixed up and still is very funny and great to read! I didnt saw Hansel and Gretel coming... I thought about some characters who are probably in it, but when the 2 children came i laught so hard :) well done!
October 4, 2024
Приказка в приказка, една история с много действие и изненади.
Лана и Харисън са съвсем обикновени деца, които учат, играят и обичат приказки.
Но какво ще стане ако се намери начин да влязат в приказка, окажат в приказката и не могат да се върнат, или вещицата се окаже по-хитра от тях.
Лана и Харисън са съвсем обикновени деца, които учат, играят и обичат приказки.
Но какво ще стане ако се намери начин да влязат в приказка, окажат в приказката и не могат да се върнат, или вещицата се окаже по-хитра от тях.
February 4, 2021
I’m sure this will be loved by the children it’s aimed at. The fairytale magic didn’t quite work for me.
January 23, 2023
2.5 ah nigdje maste
December 5, 2023
jejkuuuuu jaka urocza i przyjemna historia!!!
May 23, 2022
My 7 year old daughter recommended this to me as she absolutely loved it and I can see why! Fresh, imaginative and very well written, this was a really wonderful read. I've already bought my daughter another book by Ben Miller so I'm sure I'll be reading that one soon!
October 24, 2020
The Day I Fell into a Fairytale plunges you right into that world. What an incredibly good start it has with a possible molehill. I say possible because it isn't just an ordinary molehill. There's an energy within the words chosen and how they are written that builds faster and faster as the molehill grows and grows until you fall into a fantastic, enchanting fairytale land with Lana.
Lana lives in Little Hilcot and has a brother - Harrison, whom she views as a bit too serious since being in senior school and hitting the books to study oxbow lakes, Archimedes and more, when all she wants to do is go on adventures. Later she needs to go to Grimms, a supermarket, with her family and buys a book of fairytales, which become a bedtime story. The fact that this becomes a peculiar version of fairytales where art is almost imitating life, like a character seeming to be a person she has seen before, makes this even more curious. It turns out that Lana hasn't ever heard of the fairy tales, some of which you can read about within the book itself.
It is magical and mystical and a lot of fun as readers land into fairytales with banquets of the most delicious food and a tuneful robin, where the adventure really begins. It's so easy to get lost in this book, as I put on my childhood brain. If you've been brought up on fairytales, they are all so recognisable within this story. It shows real thought and cleverness to bring them all together in a way that doesn't rip them off or seem disingenuous. It's impressive! You'll meet the likes of Rumplestiltskin, Briar Rose, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel and more of the Grimm's fairy tales all spun together in a compelling tale that sweeps between that land and also the reality of the real world.
Look out for all the lovely illustrations of climbing roses and all that you could ever want in a pick 'n' mix and more... It just all adds to the fun of this beautiful, curious book that is so well written and hits the spot! There are twists and danger and mild trepidation as some characters are put into danger as good and evil exists.
There are expressed emotions and brotherly and sisterly care that is shown with warmth that children will also be able to relate to. It also demonstrates through story-telling that books, especially fairytales can ignite imaginations and a lot of new fun and adventures can be explored, even from the most normal, everyday places as the story goes between home, supermarket and the realm of imagination, created from a book of Grimm fairytales.
https://BookmarksandStages.home.blog
Lana lives in Little Hilcot and has a brother - Harrison, whom she views as a bit too serious since being in senior school and hitting the books to study oxbow lakes, Archimedes and more, when all she wants to do is go on adventures. Later she needs to go to Grimms, a supermarket, with her family and buys a book of fairytales, which become a bedtime story. The fact that this becomes a peculiar version of fairytales where art is almost imitating life, like a character seeming to be a person she has seen before, makes this even more curious. It turns out that Lana hasn't ever heard of the fairy tales, some of which you can read about within the book itself.
It is magical and mystical and a lot of fun as readers land into fairytales with banquets of the most delicious food and a tuneful robin, where the adventure really begins. It's so easy to get lost in this book, as I put on my childhood brain. If you've been brought up on fairytales, they are all so recognisable within this story. It shows real thought and cleverness to bring them all together in a way that doesn't rip them off or seem disingenuous. It's impressive! You'll meet the likes of Rumplestiltskin, Briar Rose, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel and more of the Grimm's fairy tales all spun together in a compelling tale that sweeps between that land and also the reality of the real world.
Look out for all the lovely illustrations of climbing roses and all that you could ever want in a pick 'n' mix and more... It just all adds to the fun of this beautiful, curious book that is so well written and hits the spot! There are twists and danger and mild trepidation as some characters are put into danger as good and evil exists.
There are expressed emotions and brotherly and sisterly care that is shown with warmth that children will also be able to relate to. It also demonstrates through story-telling that books, especially fairytales can ignite imaginations and a lot of new fun and adventures can be explored, even from the most normal, everyday places as the story goes between home, supermarket and the realm of imagination, created from a book of Grimm fairytales.
https://BookmarksandStages.home.blog
August 17, 2023
Harrisoni ja Lana linna keskele kerkib üleöö uus supermarket, mille fantastilised hinnad kõik täiskasvanud kohale meelitavad. Lana läheb emaga kaasa ja avastab, et kommiriiulite sahtlites peidavad end uksed muinasjutumaailma ja seal toimuvad seiklused on tualettpaberi soodukast hoopis põnevamad.
Mulle muinasjutud meeldivad, kuid tavaliselt eelistan klassikalisi variante, seepärast olin Ben Milleri raamatu osas natuke skeptiline. Kuid täiesti asjatult, sest autor on suutnud luua toreda segu mulle tuttavatest muinasjuttudest ja tekitanud toreda lasteraamatu. Täiskasvanule pakkub äratundmisrõõmu, väiksematele lugejatele seiklusrikka loo. Mulle väga meeldis.
Mulle muinasjutud meeldivad, kuid tavaliselt eelistan klassikalisi variante, seepärast olin Ben Milleri raamatu osas natuke skeptiline. Kuid täiesti asjatult, sest autor on suutnud luua toreda segu mulle tuttavatest muinasjuttudest ja tekitanud toreda lasteraamatu. Täiskasvanule pakkub äratundmisrõõmu, väiksematele lugejatele seiklusrikka loo. Mulle väga meeldis.
November 3, 2020
A new supermarket appears overnight and all the adults are drawn to it by it’s weird and wonderful offers. Lana, disappointed by her brother Harrison growing up, finds a portal to a magical world and lands herself in a darker, more grim fairytale. She needs all the help she can get to save Briar Rose from the evil witch.
A simple premise and one that I love. Magical worlds and retellings of fairy tales are some of my favourite stories and this one did not disappoint. The pace was quick and the fairy tale was dark and more reminiscent of the Grimm’s fairy tale as it was meant to be. I enjoyed the dark undertones in a children’s book and feel that kids will enjoy this too.
Lana was a likeable main character and I felt her plight when she wanted her brother to believe her and join her too. The bickering between the two was enjoyable to read and I can see children identifying with the pair of them as they read the story.
Overall, this was a fun and quick easy read that I am sure many children will enjoy.
A simple premise and one that I love. Magical worlds and retellings of fairy tales are some of my favourite stories and this one did not disappoint. The pace was quick and the fairy tale was dark and more reminiscent of the Grimm’s fairy tale as it was meant to be. I enjoyed the dark undertones in a children’s book and feel that kids will enjoy this too.
Lana was a likeable main character and I felt her plight when she wanted her brother to believe her and join her too. The bickering between the two was enjoyable to read and I can see children identifying with the pair of them as they read the story.
Overall, this was a fun and quick easy read that I am sure many children will enjoy.
March 2, 2024
I liked the story and pacing but was thrown by the editor’s editing (two or three errors) and the ending.
I’m a little confused by the ending. What happened there? One minute they were jumping out of a supermarket and next…in a treehouse? Can someone enlighten me with that?
Overall I liked the story. It was short but fast-paced. I like the concept of the supermarket having a portal to fairytales. Maybe next time the editor looks out for proper grammar and spelling mistakes?
I’m a little confused by the ending. What happened there? One minute they were jumping out of a supermarket and next…in a treehouse? Can someone enlighten me with that?
Overall I liked the story. It was short but fast-paced. I like the concept of the supermarket having a portal to fairytales. Maybe next time the editor looks out for proper grammar and spelling mistakes?
December 6, 2020
This was such a great, quick and very wacky book
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