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Tales From Beyond the Rainbow: Ten LGBTQ+ fairy tales proudly reclaimed
Ten captivating stories of adventure and resilience celebrating LGBTQ+ characters, published as an illustrated collection of queer classics for the first time.These are the fairy tales that history forgot - or concealed. Tales in which gender is fluid and where queer stories can have a happy ending.From the humble sailor who finds his handsome prince to the transgender market girl who becomes queen, from Europe to Asia via the African savannah, LGBTQ+ folklore researcher Pete Jordi Wood has combed through generations of history and adapted ten unforgettable stories, each illustrated by an artist who shares heritage with the culture from which the stories were born.'Representative of so many members of the community and brought to life with vibrant illustrations' - Independent
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2023
14 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
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Pete Jordi Wood
6 books17 followersPete Jordi Wood is an author, screenwriter and illustrator. Discover more at www.petejordiwood.com
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May 29, 2025
I’m a bit of a fairy tale nerd. I come by it honestly. Growing up we had a copy of the marvelous Idries Shah World Tales collection (replete with creations from artists more accustomed to rock record albums than classic folktale accompaniments). Later I’d become a children’s librarian at New York Public Library, where the love of folktales and fairytales runs strong. Their 100 Books for Reading and Sharing List (which I made certain to steal and turn into Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids List) always would include a section dedicated to the year’s best folktales and fairytales. Along the way, I got intrigued by the scholarship surrounding these tales. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy tales by Bruno Bettelheim, certainly, as well as newer scholars like Jack Zipes, Maria Tatar, and the like. All this is to say that I’m fairytale scholarship curious but by no means an expert in the field. Enough that when I first saw Tales From Beyond the Rainbow I simply assumed that the book would do something that I’ve seen a couple other collections do before. I thought that Pete Jordi Wood would take already existing tales and simply give them an LGBTQ+ spin. Nothing wrong with that methodology, of course, but to my infinite delight Pete’s doing something a lot more interesting here. Dedicated to researching world tales, Wood has managed to find and collect stories with positive portrayals of LGBTQ+ people in their original iterations. He then tweaks them slightly, and brings them together in this collection. This isn’t a reimagining. This is a discovery. And for many of us, we’re going into these stories cold for the first time with the wonder, that comes with that discovery, fully intact.
Ten tales. Ten countries. Ten different queer experiences. From a 1925 Benin trans tale of love to a Cape Verde consideration of Catholicism to a Romanian story with some significant similarities to Mulan, these stories are an eclectic and heady mix of the familiar and the entirely unknown. Each story is a classic folktale, be it “Double-Flower Temple” from China, “The Ivory City” from India, or “The Dog and the Sailor” from Denmark. Accompanying these tales (every one given a contemporary spin by Pete Jordi Wood) are illustrations from ten different artists on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. The end result is an expansive and eclectic collection, the likes of which neither the adult nor children’s literary world has ever seen before.
A word on changing folklore. Just as folk music is the music that folks sing, so too are folk tales just the tales folks tell. Notice I don’t say “told”. I say “tell” in the present tense because, and to this day, people can’t get enough of telling these tales. Some have been long forgotten (rightfully so, at times) while others get under our skin. We just can’t stop telling and retelling them over and over to ourselves. What’s the difference, then, when someone like Wood finds folklore and then adapts it to the 21st century? In his words, the stories he found for this book were “ripe for reclamation and reinterpretation.” When possible, he sticks to the original narratives, updating them to reflect contemporary understandings of, “different genders and identities and their pronoun choice.” And to be perfectly honestly, we know that when the folklorists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries went around collecting their own tales, they also changed them to reflect their own contemporary social mores. These folks were, “white, able-bodied, rich, and, from what we know, cisgender.” They saw the world through their own lenses. That’s why having someone like Wood, who self-identifies as gay, nonbinary, with a disability, and living in social housing, to collect these stories for us is so invaluable. If not him then whom?
You know how I know that Wood kept as much of the original tales intact as he could? Because some of them are damn weird. I mean it. A true folktale is a weeeeeird folktale. There should be something inside of it that rejects our contemporary assessments of what a story should do. As such, you end up with stuff like the tale “The Spinners and the Sorcerer,” where the heroines burn the baddie and his friends to death in a house fire or “The Ivory City” where a prince brands his beloved because she tried to kill his best friend… and then ends up happily married to her anyway. See THAT’S the kind of stuff I’m talking about! You can try to mold these tales as much as you like, but you also have to let them be a little freaky or they lose their panache.
There’s also the fact that Wood is clearly a folktale nerd in the purest sense. I sort of got a sense of that from the Introduction and then the tales themselves, but then I read his section “About the Tales” where he explains the Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) Index and how similar tales are grouped together as “tale-types”. For example, there’s tale-type number 514 which is the “Shift of Sex” in a story or ATU tale-type number 884B “Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy”. Acknowledging that even the names of these tale-types are problematic, Wood still peppers his background information on each story and its origins (worry not, he cites his sources like a pro), with plenty of information “For Researchers” who might like to learn more on their own.
All well and good, but isn’t this a book for kids? I’m talking about some pretty darn lofty and academic stuff, but you have to be wondering by this point in the review (or maybe you wondered a long time ago) will children actually enjoy this collection? I think what I failed to mention before is that the packaging of this book is 100% kid-friendly. These could be read on their own by an enterprising 10-year-old, sure thing. But they’re also ideal bedtime stories, perfect for those kids that love romance (I was one of those, back in the day). They read aloud beautifully, and while (as with any collection) some tales are stronger than others (“The Dog and the Sailor” is the last tale and probably my least favorite) overall a child reader or listener expecting the usual tropes of a good tale won’t be disappointed. None of the magic is lost, for all that this book is a folktale nerd’s dream. The pictures, of course, help.
I mentioned earlier my love for World Tales by Idries Shah, and how it was illustrated by this wild array of artists unaccustomed to standard book publishing. This was very much on my mind as I considered the ten LGBTQIA+ artists gathered for this book, each contributing one image per tale. A look at their bios (helpfully included in the back) shows that they’re not children’s literature people. They’re designers, comic artists, printmakers, animators, and more. Not a one of them appears to have ever created so much as a picture book, yet they each believed in this project and gave their own separate spin to how they portrayed the tales. It would have been exceedingly difficult for Wood to have paired each world tale to a queer artist with roots in that specific region, but he pretty much manages it. For example, “The Girl in the Market” from Benin is illustrated by Mariosupa who was born in Benin and raised in Paris. This kind of laserlike focus on the details is part of the reason you enjoy the tales as much as you do. There is care and attention and a level of intentionality on the page that is rare in any collection of world tales, past or present.
At the end of his Introduction, Wood writes, “Although retellings of classic fairy tales with an LGBTQ+ spin have been popular for some time, traditional folktales about LGBTQ+ people are not a contemporary invention. They exist in every corner of the globe.” The trick is in the finding, and aren’t we lucky that Wood did the legwork for us? Moreover, aren’t we lucky that this book has been so careful to employ sensitivity readers, a world view, and an understanding of the limitations of any folklorist, no matter how well-intentioned? Wood says that, “I hope that in the future more collections like this will exist.” I’m just grateful that not only does this collection exist, its intended audience isn’t scholars or curious adults. It’s kids. Particularly, the kids who need to see themselves, or the people they love and know, represented in fairy tales and folk tales. Let us hope that we might make this book such a hit that in the future a new edition is released resplendent in full-color illustrations! Hey, this book came out. That means anything is possible!
Ten tales. Ten countries. Ten different queer experiences. From a 1925 Benin trans tale of love to a Cape Verde consideration of Catholicism to a Romanian story with some significant similarities to Mulan, these stories are an eclectic and heady mix of the familiar and the entirely unknown. Each story is a classic folktale, be it “Double-Flower Temple” from China, “The Ivory City” from India, or “The Dog and the Sailor” from Denmark. Accompanying these tales (every one given a contemporary spin by Pete Jordi Wood) are illustrations from ten different artists on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. The end result is an expansive and eclectic collection, the likes of which neither the adult nor children’s literary world has ever seen before.
A word on changing folklore. Just as folk music is the music that folks sing, so too are folk tales just the tales folks tell. Notice I don’t say “told”. I say “tell” in the present tense because, and to this day, people can’t get enough of telling these tales. Some have been long forgotten (rightfully so, at times) while others get under our skin. We just can’t stop telling and retelling them over and over to ourselves. What’s the difference, then, when someone like Wood finds folklore and then adapts it to the 21st century? In his words, the stories he found for this book were “ripe for reclamation and reinterpretation.” When possible, he sticks to the original narratives, updating them to reflect contemporary understandings of, “different genders and identities and their pronoun choice.” And to be perfectly honestly, we know that when the folklorists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries went around collecting their own tales, they also changed them to reflect their own contemporary social mores. These folks were, “white, able-bodied, rich, and, from what we know, cisgender.” They saw the world through their own lenses. That’s why having someone like Wood, who self-identifies as gay, nonbinary, with a disability, and living in social housing, to collect these stories for us is so invaluable. If not him then whom?
You know how I know that Wood kept as much of the original tales intact as he could? Because some of them are damn weird. I mean it. A true folktale is a weeeeeird folktale. There should be something inside of it that rejects our contemporary assessments of what a story should do. As such, you end up with stuff like the tale “The Spinners and the Sorcerer,” where the heroines burn the baddie and his friends to death in a house fire or “The Ivory City” where a prince brands his beloved because she tried to kill his best friend… and then ends up happily married to her anyway. See THAT’S the kind of stuff I’m talking about! You can try to mold these tales as much as you like, but you also have to let them be a little freaky or they lose their panache.
There’s also the fact that Wood is clearly a folktale nerd in the purest sense. I sort of got a sense of that from the Introduction and then the tales themselves, but then I read his section “About the Tales” where he explains the Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) Index and how similar tales are grouped together as “tale-types”. For example, there’s tale-type number 514 which is the “Shift of Sex” in a story or ATU tale-type number 884B “Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy”. Acknowledging that even the names of these tale-types are problematic, Wood still peppers his background information on each story and its origins (worry not, he cites his sources like a pro), with plenty of information “For Researchers” who might like to learn more on their own.
All well and good, but isn’t this a book for kids? I’m talking about some pretty darn lofty and academic stuff, but you have to be wondering by this point in the review (or maybe you wondered a long time ago) will children actually enjoy this collection? I think what I failed to mention before is that the packaging of this book is 100% kid-friendly. These could be read on their own by an enterprising 10-year-old, sure thing. But they’re also ideal bedtime stories, perfect for those kids that love romance (I was one of those, back in the day). They read aloud beautifully, and while (as with any collection) some tales are stronger than others (“The Dog and the Sailor” is the last tale and probably my least favorite) overall a child reader or listener expecting the usual tropes of a good tale won’t be disappointed. None of the magic is lost, for all that this book is a folktale nerd’s dream. The pictures, of course, help.
I mentioned earlier my love for World Tales by Idries Shah, and how it was illustrated by this wild array of artists unaccustomed to standard book publishing. This was very much on my mind as I considered the ten LGBTQIA+ artists gathered for this book, each contributing one image per tale. A look at their bios (helpfully included in the back) shows that they’re not children’s literature people. They’re designers, comic artists, printmakers, animators, and more. Not a one of them appears to have ever created so much as a picture book, yet they each believed in this project and gave their own separate spin to how they portrayed the tales. It would have been exceedingly difficult for Wood to have paired each world tale to a queer artist with roots in that specific region, but he pretty much manages it. For example, “The Girl in the Market” from Benin is illustrated by Mariosupa who was born in Benin and raised in Paris. This kind of laserlike focus on the details is part of the reason you enjoy the tales as much as you do. There is care and attention and a level of intentionality on the page that is rare in any collection of world tales, past or present.
At the end of his Introduction, Wood writes, “Although retellings of classic fairy tales with an LGBTQ+ spin have been popular for some time, traditional folktales about LGBTQ+ people are not a contemporary invention. They exist in every corner of the globe.” The trick is in the finding, and aren’t we lucky that Wood did the legwork for us? Moreover, aren’t we lucky that this book has been so careful to employ sensitivity readers, a world view, and an understanding of the limitations of any folklorist, no matter how well-intentioned? Wood says that, “I hope that in the future more collections like this will exist.” I’m just grateful that not only does this collection exist, its intended audience isn’t scholars or curious adults. It’s kids. Particularly, the kids who need to see themselves, or the people they love and know, represented in fairy tales and folk tales. Let us hope that we might make this book such a hit that in the future a new edition is released resplendent in full-color illustrations! Hey, this book came out. That means anything is possible!
May 28, 2023
This book was more than a delight to read, more than a joy , it was enchanting , I love fairytales and it was wonderful to read 10 brand new to me tales, each one with LGBTQ+ characters as the heart of the tale. Pete Jordan Wood literally enchanted me with these fairytales, I was addicted and couldn’t tear myself from the pages.
This book has so many positive messages, each story is unique, has its own message, kindness, fairness, equality, acceptance, I could go on and on, but it’s just so wonderful to read so many different LGBTQ tales, where they are the main character and not just cast in a supporting role, they are gloriously and deservedly centre stage, and each one gets their HEA, in one way or another (no spoilers)
Every story is illustrated by a different artist and I have to be honest, I don’t think I could pick a favourite, they are all so beautiful and each one perfectly fits the tale it’s art is for. The hardback edition will make a beautiful gift as the cover is gorgeous and the hardcover has gold foiling, plus the endpapers are fabulous too.
Pete Jordi Wood collected these stories, collected isn’t the word, he sought them out, travelled the world, it was his quest to find the stories hidden over time and intentionally by white western patriarchy, I am so grateful to him for this. I’m a heterosexual woman, I’m not the target audience of these stories, but I’m ecstatic that we can all have a happy ending, I don’t need to say representation is not only important, but essential and I hate that so many in the past and still are denied representation they are entitled to. I love that finally there are books like this that children will be able to turn to, see themselves in and relate to, when in the past this just wasn’t available.
I loved each tale, there wasn’t one I didn’t love, although I do hold a special place in my heart for The Girl In The Market, The Falcon in the Garden and The Ivory City. This is a wonderful anthology for the middle grade reader , it’s target audience , but also for adults to read with their children, to read for themselves. This book is not just there for the LGBTQ children, it’s their for parents, friends, their whole community to help support them and give a connection. It’s truly a gift.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has so many positive messages, each story is unique, has its own message, kindness, fairness, equality, acceptance, I could go on and on, but it’s just so wonderful to read so many different LGBTQ tales, where they are the main character and not just cast in a supporting role, they are gloriously and deservedly centre stage, and each one gets their HEA, in one way or another (no spoilers)
Every story is illustrated by a different artist and I have to be honest, I don’t think I could pick a favourite, they are all so beautiful and each one perfectly fits the tale it’s art is for. The hardback edition will make a beautiful gift as the cover is gorgeous and the hardcover has gold foiling, plus the endpapers are fabulous too.
Pete Jordi Wood collected these stories, collected isn’t the word, he sought them out, travelled the world, it was his quest to find the stories hidden over time and intentionally by white western patriarchy, I am so grateful to him for this. I’m a heterosexual woman, I’m not the target audience of these stories, but I’m ecstatic that we can all have a happy ending, I don’t need to say representation is not only important, but essential and I hate that so many in the past and still are denied representation they are entitled to. I love that finally there are books like this that children will be able to turn to, see themselves in and relate to, when in the past this just wasn’t available.
I loved each tale, there wasn’t one I didn’t love, although I do hold a special place in my heart for The Girl In The Market, The Falcon in the Garden and The Ivory City. This is a wonderful anthology for the middle grade reader , it’s target audience , but also for adults to read with their children, to read for themselves. This book is not just there for the LGBTQ children, it’s their for parents, friends, their whole community to help support them and give a connection. It’s truly a gift.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2025
I loved this little collection. I think these are lovely stories for children and for people who love fairytales obviously. I think my favorites were the double flower temple and the rabbit god.
I'm only a little sad that there was no lesbian representation. But overall, a wonderful collection of stories.
I'm only a little sad that there was no lesbian representation. But overall, a wonderful collection of stories.
June 3, 2023
'These are the fairy tales that history forgot - or concealed. Tales in which gender is fluid and where queer stories can have a happy ending'
The author took 10 fairy / folklore tales and reclaimed them into stories of adventure, resilience and celebrating LGBTQ+ characters.
In this moving collection we travel across the world, visiting and witnessing tales from afar.
🌈 The girl in the market
❤️ Double-flower temple
🌈The falcon in the garden
❤️The spinners and the sorcerer
🌈 Marco and the mountain of God
❤️ The tale of the Rabbit God
🌈 The soldier and the peasant
❤️ The ivory City
🌈 A princess and a prince
❤️ The dog and the sailor
I loved how each story was collected with love and care by the author and retold in the most important way. I appreciated the time spent in SUCH a short book, giving credit to where the stories and their inspiration originated from, including the illustrators and explaining why it was imperative that this book be written ❤️
These stories were so beautiful and sad, let me tell you - yes they may have a happy ending in the end, but don't be fooled thinking it's your typical 'skips off into the sunset' happy ending - not for everyone. But the message is there, the message is clear to you as the reader, and it hits so much deeper when it's heart breaking and real.
I cannot choose a fav but If I ABSOLUTELY had to, I would pick..... The girl in the market, double-flower temple and the tale of the rabbit God.
This was such a short collection, I devoured it in a couple of hours.
The ONLY reason it is not rated higher is because some of stories left my heart wanting, no, needing more of them then I got, I needed MORE 🙈😂
The author took 10 fairy / folklore tales and reclaimed them into stories of adventure, resilience and celebrating LGBTQ+ characters.
In this moving collection we travel across the world, visiting and witnessing tales from afar.
🌈 The girl in the market
❤️ Double-flower temple
🌈The falcon in the garden
❤️The spinners and the sorcerer
🌈 Marco and the mountain of God
❤️ The tale of the Rabbit God
🌈 The soldier and the peasant
❤️ The ivory City
🌈 A princess and a prince
❤️ The dog and the sailor
I loved how each story was collected with love and care by the author and retold in the most important way. I appreciated the time spent in SUCH a short book, giving credit to where the stories and their inspiration originated from, including the illustrators and explaining why it was imperative that this book be written ❤️
These stories were so beautiful and sad, let me tell you - yes they may have a happy ending in the end, but don't be fooled thinking it's your typical 'skips off into the sunset' happy ending - not for everyone. But the message is there, the message is clear to you as the reader, and it hits so much deeper when it's heart breaking and real.
I cannot choose a fav but If I ABSOLUTELY had to, I would pick..... The girl in the market, double-flower temple and the tale of the rabbit God.
This was such a short collection, I devoured it in a couple of hours.
The ONLY reason it is not rated higher is because some of stories left my heart wanting, no, needing more of them then I got, I needed MORE 🙈😂
July 19, 2023
It’s so incredibly refreshing to read an anthology of stories featuring LGBT+ characters: love, loss, gender identity, unrequited love, embracing our uniqueness. I appreciate this so much - this is full of stories I’ll read to my own kids some day. There’s a few stories that will stay with me forever. These characters, their stories and their love just makes me so happy. Very grateful there are people out there who want to put together these anthologies.
June 15, 2025
Very cute and very nice! I loved to also read about the adaptations Wood made :)
February 27, 2024
This was a really wholesome book, and all the stories were so sweet and cute. And i loved how the writer found these old folktales from history, amd brought them to life again.
July 1, 2023
So often, the phrase "gay agenda" is thrown around with reckless abandon. This is especially true where children are concerned. Like the time a bunch of right-wing nuts got upset about an exam question talking about gay people. What people are less concerned about is the fact that pretty much everything in our childhood is heteronormative. The stories we are told are, more often than not, about cis men and women falling in love and getting married. Fairy tales are full of princes reducing princesses before taking them home to their castle. It's all such a thinly veiled tactic of the heterosexual agenda. So, this collection of LGBTQ+ fairy tales was something that I knew I had to read as soon as possible.
Pete Jordi Wood has collected a bunch of forgotten tales and reclaimed them. These 10 tales are full of gender fluidity and queer love. We meet transgender characters who ascend to the throne and sailors who marry their handsome prince. The stories are all told in a sensitive and understanding way that celebrates all people. Each tale focuses on equality and acceptance. It's not exactly subtle in the way the stories are told but what fairy tale is subtle? The main point is to show an alternative viewpoint and represent characters that aren't normally showcased in these stories. For that, it does a really good job and I loved each of the stories in their own way.
As with all short story collections, there were some that I enjoyed more than others. I think the first story, The Girl in the Market, is the strongest and most enjoyable. A sweet story about a transgender girl spotted by a prince in the market. The prince falls in love with her instantly and wants to marry her. This is the story that supposedly inspired the whole collection so it makes sense that it's so memorable. As I said, all of the stories were good in their own way but I also really loved The Falcon in the Garden and The Soldier and the Peasant. They just felt different and stood out from the rest. For me, The Ivory City had similar vibes to The Song Of Achilles and I was here for it. I also really liked The Dog and the Sailor about a sailor who helps a prince save his kingdom from a witch.
Of the remaining five, there wasn't one that I didn't enjoy. They were all well-written and accessible. Some of the stories had a few darker themes but that's nothing new. Traditional fairy tales have always featured death and a bit of gore. It's certainly not a problem and I think it's dealt with carefully here. It's also true that queer people are often exposed to the threat of violence so it's good that these stories don't shy away from the truth. Whatever they might contain, the stories are always ones of hope and celebrate being true to yourself.
At the end of the book, you get the chance to learn more about their origins at the back of the book and I loved it. It's always fascinating reading folktales from other countries and these forgotten ones were delightful. I also think they're fantastic books for children to read. They'll be great for LGBTQ+ children to see people like them in stories but these can also be enjoyed by all children. It's a great way to introduce these themes to younger readers in a way that they're used to. This was a great book to read during Pride and I'll definitely give it another read at some point.
Pete Jordi Wood has collected a bunch of forgotten tales and reclaimed them. These 10 tales are full of gender fluidity and queer love. We meet transgender characters who ascend to the throne and sailors who marry their handsome prince. The stories are all told in a sensitive and understanding way that celebrates all people. Each tale focuses on equality and acceptance. It's not exactly subtle in the way the stories are told but what fairy tale is subtle? The main point is to show an alternative viewpoint and represent characters that aren't normally showcased in these stories. For that, it does a really good job and I loved each of the stories in their own way.
As with all short story collections, there were some that I enjoyed more than others. I think the first story, The Girl in the Market, is the strongest and most enjoyable. A sweet story about a transgender girl spotted by a prince in the market. The prince falls in love with her instantly and wants to marry her. This is the story that supposedly inspired the whole collection so it makes sense that it's so memorable. As I said, all of the stories were good in their own way but I also really loved The Falcon in the Garden and The Soldier and the Peasant. They just felt different and stood out from the rest. For me, The Ivory City had similar vibes to The Song Of Achilles and I was here for it. I also really liked The Dog and the Sailor about a sailor who helps a prince save his kingdom from a witch.
Of the remaining five, there wasn't one that I didn't enjoy. They were all well-written and accessible. Some of the stories had a few darker themes but that's nothing new. Traditional fairy tales have always featured death and a bit of gore. It's certainly not a problem and I think it's dealt with carefully here. It's also true that queer people are often exposed to the threat of violence so it's good that these stories don't shy away from the truth. Whatever they might contain, the stories are always ones of hope and celebrate being true to yourself.
At the end of the book, you get the chance to learn more about their origins at the back of the book and I loved it. It's always fascinating reading folktales from other countries and these forgotten ones were delightful. I also think they're fantastic books for children to read. They'll be great for LGBTQ+ children to see people like them in stories but these can also be enjoyed by all children. It's a great way to introduce these themes to younger readers in a way that they're used to. This was a great book to read during Pride and I'll definitely give it another read at some point.
May 21, 2025
Ten international folktales with LGBTQ elements, adapted for a middle grade/middle school audience.
"The girl in the market" from Benin. A trans-girl in the market captures the heart of a king, but not everyone is happy with the situation. I liked this one because the mean girl didn't win; just because you want someone to marry you doesn't mean you are entitled to them!
"The double-flower temple" from China. A gay couple that nearly everyone loved is murdered, but come back as ghosts who seek justice. I liked how the people in this one loved to see the two men in love, and how happy it made them.
"The falcon in the garden" from Russia. A genderfluid young person challenges the beliefs of a narrow-minded king, and is generally awesome. I don't remember a lot of details about this one, but I remember I liked it.
"The spinners and the sorcerer." Three young women who are spinners are one by one kidnapped by a wicked sorcerer, but their loyalty and love for each other helps them triumph even over death. This one had a bit of the wives of Bluebeard flavor, and was quite cathartic to see the women win.
"Marco and the mountain of gold." A young transman's gender identity is confirmed by San Pedro, in the face of opposition. I don't remember details about this one, either, but it was another cathartic one (a theme of the collection!).
"The tale of the rabbit god" from China. The story of a god associated with love between men. It was pretty cool to find out there was such a god in folklore!
"The soldier and the peasant." A miserly old man relents at the end of his life, giving his impoverished neighbor two bags of corn to watch over his grave for three nights. On the third night, a soldier arrives and joins the peasant, and figures out a way to trick the devil. This felt like a familiar tale, with a slightly different ending. It was a little galling that the rich man spent his life hoarding and refusing to help others, but a single, begrudging act of generosity saved him, though.
"The ivory city." A spoiled prince accidentally injures someone and is exiled, and his best friend joins him in his fraught adventures. At one point, the prince sees the reflection of a fairy princess in a pool, and is obsessed with finding her. His friend helps him find the Ivory City, and the princess. This was quite a long story, and I find I can't remember all of the ending! So, maybe not my favorite. The prince was pretty spoiled and ungrateful for most of the story.
"A princess and a prince" from Romania. A trans-man royal embarks on adventure, with a talking horse who helps him out. I liked the horse in this a lot--he was both mentor and savior as well as transportation. Nice to have a protagonist who pays attention to good advice, for once! Plus the prince was loyal and kept to his word, and put the fate of others above his own.
"The dog and the sailor" from Denmark. An attention-seeking witch turns everyone into animals and sinks a kingdom to the bottom of the sea. Meanwhile, a young man is desperate to be a sailor, and finally prevails on his worried, single mother so he can go to sea. It's not what he thought it would be, though, and he's pretty much a failure. Then a dog from the sunken kingdom shows up with treasure, and the young man's life changes. This was another long one, and has a couple of very flawed protagonists who finally come around and become worthy of their happy ending.
There's a long author's note at the end, explaining the origins of every story, and also talking about tropes connected to LGBTQ elements in traditional fairy and folktales. The author also talks about how some of those might be problematic, so they adjusted them for modern sensibilities.
Overall I really enjoyed this. It's been a long time since I've read fairy or folktales, and they do have a different structure and cadence than regular fiction. They are often a step remote, in some way. Modern fiction, if it works well, embeds you in a story so you live it and feel it, but fairy and folktales tell it. Things that would fill an 800 page fantasy novel happen in a paragraph, or are referred to but not described. I actually found it more relaxing not to be so entangled in the story. I realize that not every aspect of LBGTQ was represented (lesbians, bisexual, asexual, for example), but perhaps a second collection would cover those? Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
"The girl in the market" from Benin. A trans-girl in the market captures the heart of a king, but not everyone is happy with the situation. I liked this one because the mean girl didn't win; just because you want someone to marry you doesn't mean you are entitled to them!
"The double-flower temple" from China. A gay couple that nearly everyone loved is murdered, but come back as ghosts who seek justice. I liked how the people in this one loved to see the two men in love, and how happy it made them.
"The falcon in the garden" from Russia. A genderfluid young person challenges the beliefs of a narrow-minded king, and is generally awesome. I don't remember a lot of details about this one, but I remember I liked it.
"The spinners and the sorcerer." Three young women who are spinners are one by one kidnapped by a wicked sorcerer, but their loyalty and love for each other helps them triumph even over death. This one had a bit of the wives of Bluebeard flavor, and was quite cathartic to see the women win.
"Marco and the mountain of gold." A young transman's gender identity is confirmed by San Pedro, in the face of opposition. I don't remember details about this one, either, but it was another cathartic one (a theme of the collection!).
"The tale of the rabbit god" from China. The story of a god associated with love between men. It was pretty cool to find out there was such a god in folklore!
"The soldier and the peasant." A miserly old man relents at the end of his life, giving his impoverished neighbor two bags of corn to watch over his grave for three nights. On the third night, a soldier arrives and joins the peasant, and figures out a way to trick the devil. This felt like a familiar tale, with a slightly different ending. It was a little galling that the rich man spent his life hoarding and refusing to help others, but a single, begrudging act of generosity saved him, though.
"The ivory city." A spoiled prince accidentally injures someone and is exiled, and his best friend joins him in his fraught adventures. At one point, the prince sees the reflection of a fairy princess in a pool, and is obsessed with finding her. His friend helps him find the Ivory City, and the princess. This was quite a long story, and I find I can't remember all of the ending! So, maybe not my favorite. The prince was pretty spoiled and ungrateful for most of the story.
"A princess and a prince" from Romania. A trans-man royal embarks on adventure, with a talking horse who helps him out. I liked the horse in this a lot--he was both mentor and savior as well as transportation. Nice to have a protagonist who pays attention to good advice, for once! Plus the prince was loyal and kept to his word, and put the fate of others above his own.
"The dog and the sailor" from Denmark. An attention-seeking witch turns everyone into animals and sinks a kingdom to the bottom of the sea. Meanwhile, a young man is desperate to be a sailor, and finally prevails on his worried, single mother so he can go to sea. It's not what he thought it would be, though, and he's pretty much a failure. Then a dog from the sunken kingdom shows up with treasure, and the young man's life changes. This was another long one, and has a couple of very flawed protagonists who finally come around and become worthy of their happy ending.
There's a long author's note at the end, explaining the origins of every story, and also talking about tropes connected to LGBTQ elements in traditional fairy and folktales. The author also talks about how some of those might be problematic, so they adjusted them for modern sensibilities.
Overall I really enjoyed this. It's been a long time since I've read fairy or folktales, and they do have a different structure and cadence than regular fiction. They are often a step remote, in some way. Modern fiction, if it works well, embeds you in a story so you live it and feel it, but fairy and folktales tell it. Things that would fill an 800 page fantasy novel happen in a paragraph, or are referred to but not described. I actually found it more relaxing not to be so entangled in the story. I realize that not every aspect of LBGTQ was represented (lesbians, bisexual, asexual, for example), but perhaps a second collection would cover those? Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 13, 2023This is a wonderful collection of fairytales from around the world, drawing on themes of queerness. It’s not a book of retold stories. Instead, Pete Jordi Wood has chosen a selection of tales that feature same-sex love, or explore ideas of gender.
These stories are an excellent reminder that queer people have always existed, and that we have existed in every culture around the world. The best thing about any fairytale, of course, is the happily ever after, and it’s wonderful to see queer characters get the literal fairytale ending that they deserve.
Wood took different approaches to each story, and there’s a really good appendix that explains the origin of each story and any changes made. Often these changes have been made regarding transgender or gender non-conforming characters, to better reflect our modern understanding of gender. All of the stories hold up very well on their own, but that extra information is very interesting to those who might want to look deeper into the story.
Many of the stories focus on themes of gender, and it’s so important in today’s environment to not just celebrate and uplift trans stories and trans joy, but also to remember (and I’ll say it again because it’s so important), that trans people have always existed. I hope that this book finds its way into the hands of those that need it the most, because I have a feeling it’s going to mean a lot to a lot of people.
I will note that there is an absence of sapphic stories in this collection. Given the amount of research that has clearly gone into this book, I suspect that is due to the lack of source material, but I hope that’s something we might see if there is a follow-up book.
This is a groundbreaking collection and will be a welcome addition to many bookshelves for years to come.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
These stories are an excellent reminder that queer people have always existed, and that we have existed in every culture around the world. The best thing about any fairytale, of course, is the happily ever after, and it’s wonderful to see queer characters get the literal fairytale ending that they deserve.
Wood took different approaches to each story, and there’s a really good appendix that explains the origin of each story and any changes made. Often these changes have been made regarding transgender or gender non-conforming characters, to better reflect our modern understanding of gender. All of the stories hold up very well on their own, but that extra information is very interesting to those who might want to look deeper into the story.
Many of the stories focus on themes of gender, and it’s so important in today’s environment to not just celebrate and uplift trans stories and trans joy, but also to remember (and I’ll say it again because it’s so important), that trans people have always existed. I hope that this book finds its way into the hands of those that need it the most, because I have a feeling it’s going to mean a lot to a lot of people.
I will note that there is an absence of sapphic stories in this collection. Given the amount of research that has clearly gone into this book, I suspect that is due to the lack of source material, but I hope that’s something we might see if there is a follow-up book.
This is a groundbreaking collection and will be a welcome addition to many bookshelves for years to come.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2023
This book collects 10 queer stories that have been forgotten and erased from history by our heteronormative society. The fairytales and folklore stories feature lgbtq+ characters and themes, adapted for a young audience but still sticking true to the original stories from history. From the humble sailor who finds his handsome prince to the transgender market girl who becomes queen, these tales come from cultures all around the world and celebrate the adventures of lgbtq+ people.
Firstly, I love the concept of this book! Whilst new queer stories or lgbtq+ retellings are hitting the shelves (which is great!) it’s also awesome to see original stories dug up from history which celebrate queerness. I hadn’t heard of any of these folklore tales before, but the vibes fit right in with the well known fairytales I grew up with.
The stories feature transgender and gender fluid characters as well as male/male relationships. I would have loved to have seen some more identities featured such as lesbian, bisexual and asexual, but I assume these may have been missed out because they weren’t as prominently featured in the folklore tales the author was able to find. Still, all of the stories were interesting to read! My favourites were The Falcon In The Garden and A Princess And A Prince.
I bought this book for my Year 4 classroom’s book corner to celebrate pride month and I found that it was very age appropriate for 8-9 year olds but I also feel it can be enjoyed by older audiences.
Overall, I rated it 5 stars.
Firstly, I love the concept of this book! Whilst new queer stories or lgbtq+ retellings are hitting the shelves (which is great!) it’s also awesome to see original stories dug up from history which celebrate queerness. I hadn’t heard of any of these folklore tales before, but the vibes fit right in with the well known fairytales I grew up with.
The stories feature transgender and gender fluid characters as well as male/male relationships. I would have loved to have seen some more identities featured such as lesbian, bisexual and asexual, but I assume these may have been missed out because they weren’t as prominently featured in the folklore tales the author was able to find. Still, all of the stories were interesting to read! My favourites were The Falcon In The Garden and A Princess And A Prince.
I bought this book for my Year 4 classroom’s book corner to celebrate pride month and I found that it was very age appropriate for 8-9 year olds but I also feel it can be enjoyed by older audiences.
Overall, I rated it 5 stars.
May 26, 2024
I am so happy that this little book exists. It's almost sad to think that if it were not for this book many people, including myself, would never have heard of these tales which have been given a new life here.
LGBTQ+ stories have always existed yet have been hidden away for so long that its as if they never existed to begin with. This is, of course, by design so it is so important to reclaim and protect these tales in one form or another.
Though each story is an adaptation and not entirely accurate to the source I trust that the essence of what they are is true enough. I would love to see more attention brought to these tales. Seeing LGBTQ+ characters as heroes, seeing them as powerful and brave and to see them get happy endings in one way or another is so important and it's a shame that so many of us have been deprived of these stories. To be able to see ourselves in a story means so much.
My favourites are probably Double-Flower Temple (Because no matter how much I want happy stories I am also a sucker for a bit of tragedy), The Falcon in the Garden, Marco and the Mountain of Gold, The Tale of the Rabbit God (Tu'er Shen being the only character in this book I have previously heard of, though very briefly), The Soldier and the Peasant (The power of gay love defeated the devil, how am I not going to love that?), and The Dog and the Sailor. Though every tale is magnificent and so important in its own way.
I also just want to state quite firmly that I did not personally approve of how The Ivory City ended and Darshan deserved better. Darshan deserved the world.
LGBTQ+ stories have always existed yet have been hidden away for so long that its as if they never existed to begin with. This is, of course, by design so it is so important to reclaim and protect these tales in one form or another.
Though each story is an adaptation and not entirely accurate to the source I trust that the essence of what they are is true enough. I would love to see more attention brought to these tales. Seeing LGBTQ+ characters as heroes, seeing them as powerful and brave and to see them get happy endings in one way or another is so important and it's a shame that so many of us have been deprived of these stories. To be able to see ourselves in a story means so much.
My favourites are probably Double-Flower Temple (Because no matter how much I want happy stories I am also a sucker for a bit of tragedy), The Falcon in the Garden, Marco and the Mountain of Gold, The Tale of the Rabbit God (Tu'er Shen being the only character in this book I have previously heard of, though very briefly), The Soldier and the Peasant (The power of gay love defeated the devil, how am I not going to love that?), and The Dog and the Sailor. Though every tale is magnificent and so important in its own way.
I also just want to state quite firmly that I did not personally approve of how The Ivory City ended and Darshan deserved better. Darshan deserved the world.
June 7, 2025
The author rewrote fairy tales to supposedly make them "more lgbt positive by today's view". There are so many fairy tales that would have been excellent examples that I feel the choices were not the greatest choices. I also don't particularly like rewriting established tales, and feel that the changes take away from the fact that glbt ideas have been around forever and while the term is newer, the existence is not. We should gain strength from their existence throughout history not feel a need to rewrite in order for it to be positive. I would have preferred a book that used fairy tales throughout history to discuss how culture's views towards glbt and what/who is glbt have changed over time but that was not what this book was. However, I do like the discussion of what the author changed in each story and where you can find more about a story so you can go reesearch more where things peaked your interest.
To me the best part of the book was the introduction. There is a discussion of folk tale vs fairy tale. The author also talks about how when books were becoming more readily available, William John Thomas organized the writing of oral traditional stories so they wouldn't be lost, but the gathering of these stories was done by white men, which the author says created a selection bias. This parallels the author's note in Dictionary of Lost Words where ishe discusses how dictionaries were first made by white men and the effect that has had on the way words change in time. The combined thoughts of these influences is definitely something to chew on and leave you thinking.
To me the best part of the book was the introduction. There is a discussion of folk tale vs fairy tale. The author also talks about how when books were becoming more readily available, William John Thomas organized the writing of oral traditional stories so they wouldn't be lost, but the gathering of these stories was done by white men, which the author says created a selection bias. This parallels the author's note in Dictionary of Lost Words where ishe discusses how dictionaries were first made by white men and the effect that has had on the way words change in time. The combined thoughts of these influences is definitely something to chew on and leave you thinking.
March 21, 2025
All around the world and throughout time, people representing the full spectrum of human identity have existed. However, the most commonly recounted folk tales have focused primarily on stories about individuals who conform to stereotypical expectations of men and women. In this anthology, however, ten stories are included which feature characters identifying as LGBTQIA+ in one way or another. Within the framework of a storytelling style reminiscent of folk tales of old, the selections within this anthology reflect a more colorful and diverse world than is often included in classical literature. Each brief story is succinct and engaging, highlighting a hero who exhibits the same bravery as familiar folk characters while also possessing a LGBTQIA+ identity. Occasional illustrations by several artists are peppered within the text, giving readers a visual idea of what the characters might look like. The stories in this anthology have been adapted from global tales, and an extended discussion of the origins of these stories is included in the book’s back matter. Thanks to the careful curation of this book, its collection of stories is reflective of a variety of people and experiences, making the book well suited to readers of all ages and backgrounds. This unique folk tale collection is a rich addition to storybook collections, especially because it enhances familiar stories by adding in all the colors of the rainbow of human identity.
May 12, 2024
Fascinating collection of adapted LGBT-oriented fairy tales.
I had never thought about the multitude of characters and situations in fairy and folk tales where gender and sexuality were featured. But reading these, and thinking back, there are definitely both. I wasn't sure what I'd be reading here, but I found this rather wonderful, with the notes at the back of where each tale originally came from, and any small changes made for a younger, contemporary audience (even Perrault and Grimm have needed a little Disney-fying to be palatable!).
Ten tales with same sex relationships, with transgender characters, where not only the prince and princess can live happily ever after? From all over the world, the familiar phrasing and fairy-tale situations give a whole host of people new to readers a voice and a life.
I'm a firm believer in giving a voice to those who might, for many reasons, have been written out of history and literature. It's important all stories are told and all readers get to know them through our oldest traditions of storytelling.
As an adult reader, this collection held me as a reader. Younger readers, parents, teachers might feel the same, from the age of around 7 onwards.
I had never thought about the multitude of characters and situations in fairy and folk tales where gender and sexuality were featured. But reading these, and thinking back, there are definitely both. I wasn't sure what I'd be reading here, but I found this rather wonderful, with the notes at the back of where each tale originally came from, and any small changes made for a younger, contemporary audience (even Perrault and Grimm have needed a little Disney-fying to be palatable!).
Ten tales with same sex relationships, with transgender characters, where not only the prince and princess can live happily ever after? From all over the world, the familiar phrasing and fairy-tale situations give a whole host of people new to readers a voice and a life.
I'm a firm believer in giving a voice to those who might, for many reasons, have been written out of history and literature. It's important all stories are told and all readers get to know them through our oldest traditions of storytelling.
As an adult reader, this collection held me as a reader. Younger readers, parents, teachers might feel the same, from the age of around 7 onwards.
June 19, 2023
A long time ago there lived a wicked Sorcerer who practiced the most sinister magical arts. He lived in a house hidden away in the dark heart of the forest and only came out when the moon was full, venturing into the nearby town disguised as a poor beggar. Travelling from door to door, he carried a large basket on his back, in which he kept the food he was given. Over the years, many pretty girls from the town had disappeared, but the townsfolk were baffled, for no one knew were they had gone and they were never seen again.
I loved the idea that this book has ten short easy stories to read. Every short story has a different illustrator.
My favourite story was The Spinner and the Sorcher. Illustrated by Sophia Watts. Three young women make a living by spinning wool. The wicked Sorcerer captured Charlotte in a basket taking her into his enormous house. He gave her a set of keys to all the rooms. Misfortune and death is beyond one of the doors. Charlotte stumbles upon a room full of skeletons, which were from all the missing girls in her town.
I loved the idea that this book has ten short easy stories to read. Every short story has a different illustrator.
My favourite story was The Spinner and the Sorcher. Illustrated by Sophia Watts. Three young women make a living by spinning wool. The wicked Sorcerer captured Charlotte in a basket taking her into his enormous house. He gave her a set of keys to all the rooms. Misfortune and death is beyond one of the doors. Charlotte stumbles upon a room full of skeletons, which were from all the missing girls in her town.
June 7, 2023
We love the shiny, rainbow cover and the beautiful selection of tales it represents! The internal illustrations are also really lovely, and add just a little extra beauty and fun to the stories.
As soon as we saw there was a gender fluid, LGBTQ+ representation of the well known fairytales, we knew we wanted to share it. We have been reading them through the day and at bedtime, as our stories. We are always very open about gender fluidity and orientations, so these stories have us more opportunities to discuss them, as our children asked. We also just enjoyed that they listened with joy and are growing in a world where they see all lives as normal. It was wonderful to read along and see these representations finally appearing more, in the tales of young people.
The tales were all beautifully written and really created magical moments for our children. We have loved reading the book and will look forward to reading it many more times.
As soon as we saw there was a gender fluid, LGBTQ+ representation of the well known fairytales, we knew we wanted to share it. We have been reading them through the day and at bedtime, as our stories. We are always very open about gender fluidity and orientations, so these stories have us more opportunities to discuss them, as our children asked. We also just enjoyed that they listened with joy and are growing in a world where they see all lives as normal. It was wonderful to read along and see these representations finally appearing more, in the tales of young people.
The tales were all beautifully written and really created magical moments for our children. We have loved reading the book and will look forward to reading it many more times.
July 21, 2023
This seems to be a year of mythology and fairytales for me - mostly reclaimed, diverse, feminist, and queer tellings.
I love me a bit of academics in my reading, but in some books, it can cross the line to too much reading to learn, and too little reading for enjoyment. Tales from beyond the rainbow is a product of Pete Jordi Wood’s MA thesis, so I was worried that this would be the case, but thankfully, he hit just the right balance.
Another thing I was worried about was that the fairytales would all be filled with dysphoria and oppression. But in some, queer life and love were simply part of the tale. It would be unrealistic not to have these factors present in other tales, though: fiction mirrors life, after all.
This collection does not disappoint, and it is one I’d happily purchase as hardcopy.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love me a bit of academics in my reading, but in some books, it can cross the line to too much reading to learn, and too little reading for enjoyment. Tales from beyond the rainbow is a product of Pete Jordi Wood’s MA thesis, so I was worried that this would be the case, but thankfully, he hit just the right balance.
Another thing I was worried about was that the fairytales would all be filled with dysphoria and oppression. But in some, queer life and love were simply part of the tale. It would be unrealistic not to have these factors present in other tales, though: fiction mirrors life, after all.
This collection does not disappoint, and it is one I’d happily purchase as hardcopy.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2023
I know you aren’t meant to judge a book by its cover but have you seen it! What an amazing, beautiful front cover!
The book itself is absolutely captivating with ten fairytales, each with wonderful LGBTQ+ characters from all over the world.
Although these are a collection of short stories, I read the whole book in two sittings (mainly because I had to go to work!). Each tale is illustrated by someone different and the hardback edition is a beautiful addition to every bookshelf.
All the stories were completely unique and had really positive uplifting messages of acceptance and equality. I really cannot say that I love any story more than another but if my arm was twisted, I would have to say I adored The Girl in the Market.
It really is a wonderful anthology for middle grade readers but as an adult I also loved reading them.
The book itself is absolutely captivating with ten fairytales, each with wonderful LGBTQ+ characters from all over the world.
Although these are a collection of short stories, I read the whole book in two sittings (mainly because I had to go to work!). Each tale is illustrated by someone different and the hardback edition is a beautiful addition to every bookshelf.
All the stories were completely unique and had really positive uplifting messages of acceptance and equality. I really cannot say that I love any story more than another but if my arm was twisted, I would have to say I adored The Girl in the Market.
It really is a wonderful anthology for middle grade readers but as an adult I also loved reading them.
June 19, 2024
This book is not a normal read for me, it's children's fairy tales, but was a suggested read and I'm so glad I read this. Pete has gathered together 10 queer fairy tales from across the world and throughout history, then compiled them into an easy and quick read format for children. This book also contains stunning artwork for each story, with each artist being linked to the stories culture.
As a small child, the stories I read, saw, or were told often had the Prince and Princess live HEA. Never had I heard of stories where a Prince could find a boy and them have that ending to. This book is really important in helping LGBTQ children see themselves and know that they have stories too. These are our fairytales. Advised reading age is 9-12 years old.
If a "More Tales" is ever released, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
As a small child, the stories I read, saw, or were told often had the Prince and Princess live HEA. Never had I heard of stories where a Prince could find a boy and them have that ending to. This book is really important in helping LGBTQ children see themselves and know that they have stories too. These are our fairytales. Advised reading age is 9-12 years old.
If a "More Tales" is ever released, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
June 5, 2023
The cover on this book is beautiful, I love the colours and the illustrations. Tales from Beyond the Rainbow has 10 fairy tales, which can be read in any order at anytime. The stories are short, but each one had a message within them. My favourite was "The Dog and the Sailor." In this story you will meet Valeria and young, talented and powerful witch, who turns a boy into a dog. You will also meet Ruan a boy that lived with his mother on the coast of Cornwall. Ruan wanted to go to see but his mother was against it, until one day she gave her blessing for him to go. I'll leave it there as I didn't want to say to much. This is the first book that I have read from this author, but will be looking for more
June 19, 2023
«Raven that you are, you cannot surprise a falcon in a garden. For I am neither he nor she but all the colors in between.»
«Reclaiming the word he was once called as a badge of shame, the spirits gave Hu a new name — Tu’er Shen, the Rabbit God, the protector of men who love men.»
🐇🐇🐇
My favorites are Double-Flower Temple, The Falcon in the Garden and The Tale of the Rabbit God. All the stories have lots of charm, though, but it was a little dull for me. I have to recognize that I’m not the target audience here, so that might be why. None the less, it’s nice to see queer fairytales being shown to the world and blown life into again after being forgotten or hidden.
«Reclaiming the word he was once called as a badge of shame, the spirits gave Hu a new name — Tu’er Shen, the Rabbit God, the protector of men who love men.»
🐇🐇🐇
My favorites are Double-Flower Temple, The Falcon in the Garden and The Tale of the Rabbit God. All the stories have lots of charm, though, but it was a little dull for me. I have to recognize that I’m not the target audience here, so that might be why. None the less, it’s nice to see queer fairytales being shown to the world and blown life into again after being forgotten or hidden.
May 27, 2023
10 LGBTQ+ fairy tales from all over the world.
These fairy tales have LGBTQ+ characters at the forefront and show that we can all have a happy ending. These stories were collected by combing through generations of history and adapting them by Pete Jordi Wood. I think this is a lovely collection of stories, it really has a positive message and its nice to see the characters be treated fairly. It would make an excellent gift as the hardcover edition has lovely end papers and the bare cover has gold foiling. Overall, I think this is great representation and is a great addition to any fairy tale lovers collection.
These fairy tales have LGBTQ+ characters at the forefront and show that we can all have a happy ending. These stories were collected by combing through generations of history and adapting them by Pete Jordi Wood. I think this is a lovely collection of stories, it really has a positive message and its nice to see the characters be treated fairly. It would make an excellent gift as the hardcover edition has lovely end papers and the bare cover has gold foiling. Overall, I think this is great representation and is a great addition to any fairy tale lovers collection.
December 22, 2023
This was an interesting collection of fairytales told with LGBTQ+ representation which was quite well done. It was very brave of Pete Jordi to tackle adapting tales that are of ancient times but I felt that this done well. The beautiful illustrations added another element to the enchanting tales. I loved that the book included a section discussing the actual tales themselves and their origins. I also loved that there was a section that gives a background on the illustrator's and their perspectives. I really enjoyed this book.
October 22, 2023
ratings of all ten stories
the girl in the market ⟡ 4.5 stars
double flower temple ⟡ 3 stars
the falcon in the garden ⟡ 4.75 stars
the spinners and the sorcerer ⟡ 4 stars
marco and the mountain of gold ⟡ 3.75 stars
the tale of the rabbit god ⟡ 3.75 stars
the soldier and the peasant ⟡ 3.75 stars
the ivory city ⟡ 4.5 stars
a princess and a prince ⟡ 4.75 stars
the dog and the sailor ⟡ 5 stars
the girl in the market ⟡ 4.5 stars
double flower temple ⟡ 3 stars
the falcon in the garden ⟡ 4.75 stars
the spinners and the sorcerer ⟡ 4 stars
marco and the mountain of gold ⟡ 3.75 stars
the tale of the rabbit god ⟡ 3.75 stars
the soldier and the peasant ⟡ 3.75 stars
the ivory city ⟡ 4.5 stars
a princess and a prince ⟡ 4.75 stars
the dog and the sailor ⟡ 5 stars
February 8, 2025
This is a collection of actual queer folktales and fairytales from all around the world. They have been modernized and adapted, in my opinion for the better. The author also cites the sources used and describes how the stories were changed for this adaption. The heroes in this book are gay, trans and non-binary. This part of folklore is hidden away far too often and I want to thank Pete Jordi Wood for sharing stories that make me feel seen.
June 18, 2025
This is a quick read that was perfect for PRIDE, but really anytime. I love a fairy tale, a retelling, or just a plain ole’ magical queer story that leaves me both feeling seen, but also being able to escape into a world very unlike our own.
While this is a middle grade book, I read it as an adult and it was really engaging and kept me listening with full attention until the very end of the audiobook.
While this is a middle grade book, I read it as an adult and it was really engaging and kept me listening with full attention until the very end of the audiobook.
August 20, 2025
This was such an exciting read! I loved learning about the old tales and reading Wood's simple and lovely writing, which feels at once old, relatable, accessible, and timeless. Unsurprisingly, almost all of the stories are about men (trans men and gay men)- it's typical of historical texts- and there weren't any lesbians. As a kid, this really would've bothered me, but I've come to accept that we need to write our own fairytales.
March 17, 2025
I absolutely loved it! It was such a pleasant read and it's refreshing to see a change in the fairy tales we've been so used to throughout our whole life. Also, kudos for the Prince and The Princess, I definitely did not expect a Romanian fairy tale in there, especially one that feels so familiar to those I read as a child. It makes my heart feel warm. ❤️
June 17, 2024
Absolute delight! It’s a very quick read and so heartwarming. It makes me wonder how many such fairytales and folklore and also true stories for that matter were simply hidden away to be forgotten forever…
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