Pocket Fairytales: Hansel and Gretel + Cinderella by Suzanna Davidson (Children's, 5 years +, 10E/10E & 8/10E)

  1st October 2015, Templar, 16 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Content: peril, happy ever after 

Summary from Amazon (Templar's new site isn't online yet) 

Pocket Fairytales: Hansel and Gretel

This pop-out concertina version of the well-known fairy tale is small enough to put in your pocket! Take it out of the slipcase and stretch it out to follow the adventures of Hansel and Gretel, from their adventures in the woods to their escape from the witch. Pops include forest trees and the gingerbread cottage.

Pocket Fairytales: Cinderella

This pop-out concertina version of the well-known fairy tale is small enough to put in your pocket! Take it out of the slipcase and stretch it out to follow Cinderella on her magical journey. Pops include the fairy godmother casting her spells and Cinderella and the Prince dancing at the royal ball.

Nayu's thoughts

Since I'm going through a phase of loving fairytales (not that I've ever gone out of it), I was really excited about these two books. They're clever because you turn them over to get the rest of the story, which is a clever detail of the book, as is certain details literally popping up and becoming 3D! So very cool, although the odd one didn't pop up as smoothly as the rest.

The tale of Hansel and Gretel had me at the edge of my seat, even though I kind of knew what the end would be. Seeing them all alone in the woods was heartbreaking – they just wanted a safe home and to be loved. Thankfully they have each other to escape from the evil witch. 

I fully expected Cinderella to be as charming...but it wasn't. It was fairly good, I suppose. The story was fine, but what I felt let down by were the illustrations. I didn't get a close up of Cinderella's dress. Yes her shoes are important, but part of the whole princess fun surrounding Cinderella is that she has a pretty dress – barely seeing it was a disappointment. 

Available to preorder at most bookstores including NRC affiliate Foyles Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella 

Suggested read

For more fairytale fun, although not as compact and without pop ups is the wonderful series The Fairytale Hairdresser series by the incredible duo Abie Longstaff and Lauren Beard, the latest release is The Fairytale Hairdresser and the Little Mermaid (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)