New Book: Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly is officially released this week. A Cinderella retelling with the focus obviously on one of the stepsisters.

Book description:

Don't just fracture the fairy tale. Shatter it.

Isabelle should be blissfully happy - she's about to win the handsome prince. Except Isabelle isn't the beautiful girl who lost the glass slipper and captured the prince's heart. She's the ugly stepsister who's cut off her toes to fit into Cinderella's shoe . . . which is now filling with her blood.

When the prince discovers Isabelle's deception, she's turned away in shame. It's no more than she deserves: she's a plain girl in a world that values beauty; a bold girl in a world that wants her to be pliant.

Isabelle has tried to fit in. She cut away pieces of herself in order to become pretty. Sweet. More like Cinderella. But that only made her mean, jealous, and hollow. Now she has a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl.

Evoking the original version of the Cinderella story, bestselling author Jennifer Donnelly uses her trademark wit and wisdom to send an overlooked character on a journey toward empowerment, redemption . . . and a new definition of beauty.

New Book: Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power by Vita Murrow

Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power by Vita Murrow (Author) and Julia Bereciartu (Illustrator) was released late last year.

Book description:

What if princesses didn’t always marry Prince Charming and live happily ever after? In this stunning anthology—elegantly presented in a red, clothbound hard cover with gold-toned metallic debossing—15 favorite fairytales have been retold for a new generation. These princesses are smart, funny, and kind, and can do anything they set their minds to.

Focused on issues including self-image, confidence, LGBTQ, friendship, advocacy, and disability, these stories are perfect for sharing between parents and children, or for older princesses or princes to read by themselves. They teach that a princess is a person who seeks to help others, is open to learning new things, and looks for ways to add purpose to their lives and the lives of those around them.

Get reacquainted with these powerful princesses:

• Snow White—champion of real beauty
• Sleeping Beauty—specialist on sleeping disorders
• Thumbelina—music producer and advocate
• Rapunzel—world-famous architect
• Belle the Brave—undercover agent
• Elisabeth and the Wild Swans—fashion designer
• Cinderella—prime minster and businesswoman
• Star and the 12 Dancers—dancer
• The Goose Girl—stand-up comedian
• Princess Sevinah (and the Pea)—founder of the Fairyland Dating Service
• The Snow Queen—winter sports coach
• The Little Mermaid—advocate for peace between mer-people and humans
• Zade—storyteller (of 1001 tales) and businesswoman
• Evangeline (The Frog Princess)—natural historian
• Little Red Riding Hood—environmentalist and Princess of the Wolves

New Book: 7 Dark Tales by Christine Grace

7 Dark Tales by Christine Grace (Author) and Wendy Straw (Illustrator) is officially released today.

Book description:

This collection of seven short stories is a startling and imaginative take on the fairytale form. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, each narrative gently unfolds, reminiscent of ancient, oral storytelling. The reader is constantly taken in unexpected directions as the tales explore contemporary themes of jealousy, relationships, and death. The beautiful presentation includes stunning full color illustrations and several black-and-white "woodcut-style" illustrations.