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Fairy Tales Gone Bad #3
Creeping Beauty: Fairy Tales Gone Bad
A subversive, funny – and deliciously prickly! – tale for the young reader looking for a book with bite.
Eshe and her twelve sisters are Fairy Godmothers, honoured for the incredible gifts they can bestow. But Eshe’s special abilities are a little different – she can glimpse into the future! And, one day, Eshe foresees something terrifying: a world blanketed in creeping vines and a girl covered in thorns. Eshe needs to stop her vision becoming true, but it will require old and powerful magic. And she won’t be able to do it alone…
Following on from Zombierella and Frankenstiltskin , this is the third and final book in a deliciously dark trilogy of twisted classics, written in verse by award-winning poet Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas.
Eshe and her twelve sisters are Fairy Godmothers, honoured for the incredible gifts they can bestow. But Eshe’s special abilities are a little different – she can glimpse into the future! And, one day, Eshe foresees something terrifying: a world blanketed in creeping vines and a girl covered in thorns. Eshe needs to stop her vision becoming true, but it will require old and powerful magic. And she won’t be able to do it alone…
Following on from Zombierella and Frankenstiltskin , this is the third and final book in a deliciously dark trilogy of twisted classics, written in verse by award-winning poet Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2022
7 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Coelho
83 books82 followersJoseph Coelho is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022.
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July 16, 2023Creeping Beauty is the third instalment in Joseph Coelho's Fairy Tales Gone Bad series, accompanied by the remarkable illustrations of Freya Hartas. In this version of the classic fairy tale, the narrative takes a refreshing turn by shifting the focus to Eshe, one of the fairy godmothers, whose name symbolizes life, rather than the traditional Sleeping Beauty character, Princess Rose.
While the narrative initially echoes familiar versions of Sleeping Beauty, Coelho allows Eshe to take matters into her own hands instead of relying on a prince to save the day. Along the way, the story pays homage to The Frog Prince, emphasizing the agency of women and reinventing this classic tale. Coelho's poetic background seamlessly weaves throughout the prose, with the page layout often adding a poetic touch. Hartas' black and white illustrations are gorgeous and these are sumptuously illustrated books.
Coelho's use of poetic devices and the impact of layout on reading can be explored. Furthermore, the rich and challenging vocabulary in the book presents an excellent opportunity for exploring language and expanding vocabulary skills. It would be interesting to consider the perspectives of male readers, as the male characters in the story prove either inadequate or literally wooden. A fair addition to Coelho's Fairy Tales Gone Bad series.
While the narrative initially echoes familiar versions of Sleeping Beauty, Coelho allows Eshe to take matters into her own hands instead of relying on a prince to save the day. Along the way, the story pays homage to The Frog Prince, emphasizing the agency of women and reinventing this classic tale. Coelho's poetic background seamlessly weaves throughout the prose, with the page layout often adding a poetic touch. Hartas' black and white illustrations are gorgeous and these are sumptuously illustrated books.
Coelho's use of poetic devices and the impact of layout on reading can be explored. Furthermore, the rich and challenging vocabulary in the book presents an excellent opportunity for exploring language and expanding vocabulary skills. It would be interesting to consider the perspectives of male readers, as the male characters in the story prove either inadequate or literally wooden. A fair addition to Coelho's Fairy Tales Gone Bad series.
May 31, 2023
Entretenido y divertido, la narrativa está muy buen, y las ilustraciones me encantaron.
October 27, 2022
Third in the series of darkly twisted stories, here less gruesome and more character-focused.
Far more earthy and palatable than Disney, this is the godmother side of the tale. Eshe is the 13th sister in the family, and each sister is able to curse/bless with gifts. While her other sisters seem to have powers to bestow beauty, wits and charm, Eshe is able to see futures, and terrible ones at that - which she secretly tries to fix, making her sisters believe her predictions are untrue when her prophecies fail to materialise.
Invited to the Queen's gathering to celebrate and bless the birth of her daughter, the princess Rose, Eshe foresees awful, unimaginable things ahead of the baby, which only she can avert.
And so readers will themselves foresee what Eshe will predictably to do prevent awful happenings. But they won't foresee harpies, giant frogs, Queenly secrets and rapping/freestyling godmothers.
It's as dark as those that preceded it, but less gory in many ways. I really liked the characters here, with some surprise minor characters having good backstories, and the usual stereotypes of fairy tales torn up.
Great illustrations as ever in this series, and it's such a wonderful idea for older readers who remember the fairy tales from their younger years but are now 'into' something a bit more grown-up and darker.
For ages 6-10.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
Far more earthy and palatable than Disney, this is the godmother side of the tale. Eshe is the 13th sister in the family, and each sister is able to curse/bless with gifts. While her other sisters seem to have powers to bestow beauty, wits and charm, Eshe is able to see futures, and terrible ones at that - which she secretly tries to fix, making her sisters believe her predictions are untrue when her prophecies fail to materialise.
Invited to the Queen's gathering to celebrate and bless the birth of her daughter, the princess Rose, Eshe foresees awful, unimaginable things ahead of the baby, which only she can avert.
And so readers will themselves foresee what Eshe will predictably to do prevent awful happenings. But they won't foresee harpies, giant frogs, Queenly secrets and rapping/freestyling godmothers.
It's as dark as those that preceded it, but less gory in many ways. I really liked the characters here, with some surprise minor characters having good backstories, and the usual stereotypes of fairy tales torn up.
Great illustrations as ever in this series, and it's such a wonderful idea for older readers who remember the fairy tales from their younger years but are now 'into' something a bit more grown-up and darker.
For ages 6-10.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
January 15, 2023
Book 05/52 of my Goodreads Challenge 2023
A prick
to the finger
will not spell
out doom.
But instead,
a sleep
that will blossom
and bloom...
This third book in the 'Fairy Tales Gone Bad' series now completes my collection. This enjoyable trilogy now sits proudly on my bookcase amid some of my favourite reads.
I've loved the dark twists, in these almost gothic tales for younger readers (or those simply young at heart). These stories are written in a semi-lyrical way. Almost, but for me, not quite a story in verse hence just a four star rating. (Sometimes the rhythm did not quite flow smoothly).
In this story, Eshe and her sisters are all modern day fairy godmothers, able to bestow wonderous gifts on others. However, being the youngest and the thirteenth child Eshe is different. Her gift is to see into the future usually glimpsing the terrible things that are about to occur.
Eshe's sisters mock her and don't believe her predictions, little knowing that she has already stopped several bad things from happening. Will Eshe be able to stop the dreadful things about to happen to Queen Araminta's child - Princess Rose? For that you will simply have to check out the book for yourself.
Out of the trilogy my favourite has to be 'Frankenstiltskin' a combination of a Frankenstein story and the fairy tale of Rumplestiltskin. The main character being a Taxidermist ~ BRILLIANT!
A prick
to the finger
will not spell
out doom.
But instead,
a sleep
that will blossom
and bloom...
This third book in the 'Fairy Tales Gone Bad' series now completes my collection. This enjoyable trilogy now sits proudly on my bookcase amid some of my favourite reads.
I've loved the dark twists, in these almost gothic tales for younger readers (or those simply young at heart). These stories are written in a semi-lyrical way. Almost, but for me, not quite a story in verse hence just a four star rating. (Sometimes the rhythm did not quite flow smoothly).
In this story, Eshe and her sisters are all modern day fairy godmothers, able to bestow wonderous gifts on others. However, being the youngest and the thirteenth child Eshe is different. Her gift is to see into the future usually glimpsing the terrible things that are about to occur.
Eshe's sisters mock her and don't believe her predictions, little knowing that she has already stopped several bad things from happening. Will Eshe be able to stop the dreadful things about to happen to Queen Araminta's child - Princess Rose? For that you will simply have to check out the book for yourself.
Out of the trilogy my favourite has to be 'Frankenstiltskin' a combination of a Frankenstein story and the fairy tale of Rumplestiltskin. The main character being a Taxidermist ~ BRILLIANT!
March 19, 2023
Es la primera vez que leo este tipo de historias y debo decir que me gustó mucho ❤️❤️ La manera en la que nos cuentan el relato es muy singular, pero entretenida. Desde que lo leí no pude parar, lo terminé en un solo día.
Me gustó que a lo largo del libro, muchas frases rimaban y le daban esa musicalidad especial en los cuentos infantiles. Además de que al leerlo, había una cadencia que me mantenía pegada al libro.
Lo que más me gustó fueron las ilustraciones, son preciosas 😍😍 Realmente me transportaba al libro y me sumergían en lo que estaba pasando.
Otro aspecto que me encantó fueron los personajes, no los desarrollan mucho, pero nos muestran lo diferentes que son unos de otros y hace que la historia sea más interesante ☺️
Les recomiendo mucho este libro si buscan algo corto para leer que pueda sacarlos de un bloqueo lector. Es una lectura divertida y ágil que se puede leer en menos de un día.
Me gustó que a lo largo del libro, muchas frases rimaban y le daban esa musicalidad especial en los cuentos infantiles. Además de que al leerlo, había una cadencia que me mantenía pegada al libro.
Lo que más me gustó fueron las ilustraciones, son preciosas 😍😍 Realmente me transportaba al libro y me sumergían en lo que estaba pasando.
Otro aspecto que me encantó fueron los personajes, no los desarrollan mucho, pero nos muestran lo diferentes que son unos de otros y hace que la historia sea más interesante ☺️
Les recomiendo mucho este libro si buscan algo corto para leer que pueda sacarlos de un bloqueo lector. Es una lectura divertida y ágil que se puede leer en menos de un día.
November 9, 2023
Eshe es la menor de trece hermanas con dones muy peculiares como la pestilencia. Un día, son invitadas por la reina para que le otorguen dones a su pequeña hija, la princesa Rosa. Pero lo que nadie sabe,es que Eshe tiene visiones que se hacen realidad, aunque nadie la crea, y acaba de ver el futuro de la princesa.
Empece a leer este libro porque había entrado en un bloqueo lector y como es muy corto (unas 88 páginas) me dije que podría leerlo perfectamente.
No es una historia que particularmente me haya gustado. Es extraña, pero tampoco horrible.
Nos encontramos con un cuento de hadas y princesas diferente, donde predomina la lucha femenina y los príncipes son malvados.
Es la pequeña Eshe con ayuda de sus hermanas y Tía, quienes salvan al reino y no un príncipe que besa a una princesa.
El cuento está escrito en prósa poética y por supuesto está dirigido hacia los niños, aunque si quieres pasar un ratito entretenido, te recomiendo que lo leas.
Empece a leer este libro porque había entrado en un bloqueo lector y como es muy corto (unas 88 páginas) me dije que podría leerlo perfectamente.
No es una historia que particularmente me haya gustado. Es extraña, pero tampoco horrible.
Nos encontramos con un cuento de hadas y princesas diferente, donde predomina la lucha femenina y los príncipes son malvados.
Es la pequeña Eshe con ayuda de sus hermanas y Tía, quienes salvan al reino y no un príncipe que besa a una princesa.
El cuento está escrito en prósa poética y por supuesto está dirigido hacia los niños, aunque si quieres pasar un ratito entretenido, te recomiendo que lo leas.
August 14, 2025
Eshe is the thirteenth sisters and all of them are fairy godmothers, each with their own unique special powers. Eshe's is foreseeing the future, which her sisters took for granted as nothing ever happened the way she said it would (of course, she prevented everything from going wrong way before it happened).
When the girl foresees that the Queen Araminta's daughter is bound to become a ruthless ruler and torns take all over the town, Eshe must continue protecting everyone from fate. However, nothing is really as it seems...
This series of books is thrilling! Truly engaging, lots of interesting possible discussions (judging someone without knowing the whole story, girls leading armies etc). I hope Joseph and Freya continue working on these books ❤! I would love to see versions of "Little Mermaid", "Snow White"...
When the girl foresees that the Queen Araminta's daughter is bound to become a ruthless ruler and torns take all over the town, Eshe must continue protecting everyone from fate. However, nothing is really as it seems...
This series of books is thrilling! Truly engaging, lots of interesting possible discussions (judging someone without knowing the whole story, girls leading armies etc). I hope Joseph and Freya continue working on these books ❤! I would love to see versions of "Little Mermaid", "Snow White"...
November 2, 2022
Creeping Beauty is the third book in the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series from Joseph Coelho.
Each book is a Gothic twist on an original fairy tale told by ‘The Librarian’. As you have probably gathered, this book is based on Sleeping Beauty.
Eshe was the youngest daughter of thirteen sisters and deemed the ‘unlucky one’. The sisters all had magical gifts meaning they could give things to others, however Eshe’s gift was different, she could see into the future.
The sisters were invited to the Christening of baby Princess Rose and Eshe had a horrible premonition. What it was and what happens next you will have to read for yourself.
I love this series as it is so unusual, gripping and good fun. The pages are adorned with illustrations and the stories so good you’ll want to read the book in one sitting.
Where it’s a Halloween read you are after or just something a little different from the norm, this collection is worth a read
Each book is a Gothic twist on an original fairy tale told by ‘The Librarian’. As you have probably gathered, this book is based on Sleeping Beauty.
Eshe was the youngest daughter of thirteen sisters and deemed the ‘unlucky one’. The sisters all had magical gifts meaning they could give things to others, however Eshe’s gift was different, she could see into the future.
The sisters were invited to the Christening of baby Princess Rose and Eshe had a horrible premonition. What it was and what happens next you will have to read for yourself.
I love this series as it is so unusual, gripping and good fun. The pages are adorned with illustrations and the stories so good you’ll want to read the book in one sitting.
Where it’s a Halloween read you are after or just something a little different from the norm, this collection is worth a read
October 22, 2022
Fairy Tales Gone Bad have never been so good! I honestly don’t think Joseph Coelho can do any wrong. The illustrations are awesome, the stories are unapologetically gruesome and fun, and it’s part of a series of dodgy fairytales I just adore now (the cover is pretty too!). It ticks every box - every single one.
It’s a story which needs no explanation - a Sleeping Beauty reimagining but with a lot more gloom and doom than bloom!
Hats off to the illustrator for continuing to make the books in this series look bloody (literally) brilliant. Five stars doesn’t seem enough.
ARC provided from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a story which needs no explanation - a Sleeping Beauty reimagining but with a lot more gloom and doom than bloom!
Hats off to the illustrator for continuing to make the books in this series look bloody (literally) brilliant. Five stars doesn’t seem enough.
ARC provided from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2024
“Cuentos de hadas estropeados: la bella demente” es un libro infantil que narra la historia de “La bella durmiente” con un giro interesante e inusual. Fue escrito de manera poética y está lleno de ilustraciones, es realmente precioso. Es el tercer libro que leo de esta serie y estoy completamente enamorada de todos ellos. El autor, un poeta increíble, hace un excelente trabajo al volver a contar estas historias con un giro algo macabro y novedoso. Aunque está dirigido a niños, es una lectura que pueden disfrutar personas de todas las edades.
August 11, 2024
The prologue reminded me of Grisly tales for Gruesome kids, which a lovely nostalgic blast.
I loved this reinvention of a classic fairytale and all the bits and pieces that were tweaked and breathed new life into the story.
I loved the morals of right, wrong and an in-between, the sense of justice and the strong black female led narrative.
The illustrations were beautiful and it being told in poetry really enhanced the experience and added to that fairytale wonder and magic, even if it was a twisted version.
I'll have to go back and read the other 2 books prior to this!
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
I loved this reinvention of a classic fairytale and all the bits and pieces that were tweaked and breathed new life into the story.
I loved the morals of right, wrong and an in-between, the sense of justice and the strong black female led narrative.
The illustrations were beautiful and it being told in poetry really enhanced the experience and added to that fairytale wonder and magic, even if it was a twisted version.
I'll have to go back and read the other 2 books prior to this!
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
June 14, 2025
El título siento que no concuerda con la historia, nunca le ví lo demente a la princesa Rosa.
Me gustó que tratara sobre Eshe como una de las hadas madrinas. Ya que al final sus hermanas aprendieron a apreciarla. Me sorprendió que lo de la Dama de Bosque fuera un malentendido por la ambición y los celos de Parcófago.
Sinceramente yo dejaba a Parcófago en los calabozos, porque no aprendió la lección.
Me gustó que tratara sobre Eshe como una de las hadas madrinas. Ya que al final sus hermanas aprendieron a apreciarla. Me sorprendió que lo de la Dama de Bosque fuera un malentendido por la ambición y los celos de Parcófago.
Sinceramente yo dejaba a Parcófago en los calabozos, porque no aprendió la lección.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
Una novela para primeros lectores, con el espíritu de los cuentos de hadas pero con toques macabros... En este caso una versión diferente a la historia de la bella durmiente. Escrita en verso y complementada con ilustraciones peculiares. Me rei, me gustaron las ilustraciones y viene con una lección para aprender como todos los cuentos de hadas que son al fin y al cabo una advertencia.
March 18, 2023
I loved the character designs! The storyline was really cute, I loved the change-up of protagonists, and the fact that almost all the characters were black made me really happy. We love to see representation in children's media.
July 23, 2025
there are about 3 different stories wrapped up into 1 here. you have sleeping beauty, the frog prince and 12 dancing Princesses.
there is a lot of magic/Rhyming spells that make the story interesting.
there is a lot of magic/Rhyming spells that make the story interesting.
November 5, 2022
The audiobook was not nearly as good as Zombierella.
November 14, 2022
A great alternative telling of a fairytale.
My youngest daughter enjoyed reading it with me and I'm now being asked to buy the rest of the series.
My youngest daughter enjoyed reading it with me and I'm now being asked to buy the rest of the series.
April 10, 2023
Un libro divertido y que acerca la poesía de forma didáctica.
April 12, 2023
3.5
Me encantó! La forma en la que está escrito, las ilustraciones y el giro que le dieron a la historia.
Ahora necesito los dos libros anteriores!
Me encantó! La forma en la que está escrito, las ilustraciones y el giro que le dieron a la historia.
Ahora necesito los dos libros anteriores!
July 27, 2023
I just started to reqd fiction book, and this one is my first. Suddenly, I love fiction genre. Thank you, Joseph.
October 16, 2023
Cawpile: 7.79 4*
October 21, 2023
Omg obsessed 😍
January 8, 2024
This was a great book for reading at night
June 22, 2025
#27 - 2025
June 27, 2023
3.5🌟
Una historia que me gustó mucho, para mí está mejor está que la que no está "estropeada". Las ilustraciones son hermosas, gran trabajo de Freya Hartas.
Una historia que me gustó mucho, para mí está mejor está que la que no está "estropeada". Las ilustraciones son hermosas, gran trabajo de Freya Hartas.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews