Fairy Tales Books for a Rainy Fall Day
IT'S FALL!! I'm usually sad that summer is over but it's just so cozy to exist by a fire and actually wear socks and sweaters and leaves are beautiful! And what could be more fall-y than fairy tales? 🍂☕🥮
Note: This list has been updated with nine new books!
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
After a series of disasters leaves the once-beautiful town of Stone-in-the-Glen in disgrace, its inhabitants turn on one another. The only loyalty they have left is to the Mayor, a dazzling dragon-slayer (or so he says) who promises to restore their home to its original glory. With the townspeople blinded by the Mayor's light, it is up to the clever children of the Orphan House, and the kindhearted Ogress who lives outside of town, to save their home from a sorry fate. But when a child disappears from the Orphan House, the townspeople finally notice the Ogress--and blame her for the disappearance. The orphans have to make the townspeople see that the Ogress isn't the true villain in Stone-in-the-Glen--before it's too late.
Spindlefish and Stars by Christiane M. Andrews
Clothilde is content with her nomadic life following her father from village to village. It was lonely, to be sure, but she always has her father with her. Until one morning she doesn't. When her father fails to turn up at their rendezvous, instead sending her an unreadable note and a boat ticket for "half-paffage," Clo follows the clues to a ship that takes her to a mysterious, gray island in the sea. There she will wait, however long it takes, for her father to meet her.
The island, however, is a dark and silent place and not at all pleasant. Its somber, quiet inhabitants shuffle through their daily routines, all part of a working system involving the silvery fish of the island. Soon Clo is swept up in their tasks, spending hours in the house of an old woman who uses Clo's work to weave a seemingly unending gray tapestry. Clearly there is more to this island than meets the eye--and if Clo is ever to be reunited with her father, she must unravel the island's mysteries or risk being trapped there forever.
Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange
The six Fernsby sisters spend their days working on their father's farm, with their father's obsession with the Curse of the Six Daughters controlling their lives--especially that the eldest, Grace, who is to be married off by next spring. But the sisters find their joy in each other, and in their Grammy, whose secret stash of forbidden books gives the girls dreams of the world beyond the small marsh village where they live. When the mysterious Full Moon Fayre arrives in town, Willa, Grace, and Freya anticipate a rare night of revelry--but when Grace disappears the morning after the Fayre, Willa goes after her, beginning a journey of peril through the murky waters of the Lost Marsh. If she wants to save her sister, and the rest of her family, she will have to face not only the dangers of the mire, but her own father and village as well...
Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly
For Lalani, life on the island of Sanlagita is simple but difficult. She cleans and cooks and mends and runs errands for her terrible stepfather and stepbrother, and when her mother falls ill with the dreaded mender's disease, Lalani is faced with a bleak future. Then, an accident causes the rain to come.
To save her island, Lalani must venture out on a quest that many men have failed at before--attempting to reach the legendary island that houses Mount Isa, a pinnacle of good fortune and prosperity. Will a quiet, ordinary girl be able to brave the dangers of the confusing ocean fog and the strange creatures that await her on Mount Isa?
Castle Waiting by Linda Medley
Castle Waiting used to be full of kings, queens, courtiers, and jesters, but the effects of a historic Sleeping Beauty-esque curse have left it devoid of royalty. It is certainly not empty, however, and the liveliness of its new inhabitants far surpass that which the royal court ever could have had. Because Castle Waiting has not lain idle, it has turned into a sanctuary for those who need to run from something or just want to live a peaceful life. Jain Solander is one of these such people. Running from a dark past that reveals itself as the story goes, Jain and her newborn son, Pindar, take refuge in the castle and learn to love its quirky inhabitants. First there's Rackham, the eloquent steward, who has the head of a stork and the body of a human. Then there's Dinah, the cook, and her half-giant and gentle son Simon. Henry, the silent blacksmith. The three ancient aunties--Patience, Prudence, and Plenty--who "came with the castle" from its days of glory. Sir Chess, the not-so-humble knight with the head of a horse; and the strange Doctor, whose mind hasn't been what it used to be since he experienced a strange and terrifying past.
A Dreadful Fairy Book by Jon Etter
Shade has never fit in with the other fairies. Scorning their shallow-mindedness, she wishes she could spend her life adventuring--or at least reading books, something that is looked down upon in her village. But when a fire destroys her home, what seemed like a tragedy becomes an opportunity: Shade leaves her village in search of a new place to belong, somewhere she can just be herself and read books all day long. With a group of strange and questionable companions, Shade sets off in search of a new life.
The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo
When Beatryce arrives at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing, she can't remember anything about her past: except that she can read. In a world where reading is outlawed for girls, this secret puts her in danger. It's a time of war, and the king is looking for Beatryce. The girl finds a friend in a monk at the monastery, who sends her away for her own protection. On her journey, Beatryce encounters a wayward goat, a boy searching to prove himself, and a mysterious old man. Beatryce finds solace in the stories that float around in her head, but will stories be enough to save her from the growing danger?
The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Ever since their father disappeared five years ago, the forest where Mila lives with her siblings has been cursed to dwell in an eternal winter. But when Mila's brother Oskar goes missing too, Mila is determined to find him--no matter what her older sister says about Oskar's running away to have a more exciting life. Mila, along with her little sister Pípa, set out on a harrowing journey north with a not-so-trustworthy mage. Mila is determined to find her brother, and to find a way past the neverending winter.
Healer and Witch by Nancy Werlin
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Cimorene's traditional royal family are nothing if not tiring, especially when they start setting up suitors for her. Instead of preening in front of princes like her golden-haired sisters, Cimorene decides to escape to the mountains to become a dragon's princess. This job proves challenging, as the dragons first have to decide whether or not to eat Cimorene (thankfully they come to a consensus not to), and Cimorene is tasked with organizing her dragon, Kazul's, library and treasure hoard, and cook elaborte meals for Kazul and her guests. And on top of everything, annoying princes keep trying to come and rescue her!
A classic princess story turned on its head, Dealing with Dragons is a great read for any non-conformers, dragon lovers, and those in need of a laugh.
Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
Snow and Rose have been living in a tiny forest cottage with their mother since their father disappeared and they lost their large, comfortable house. Life in the forest is certainly gloomier than that in their old community, and the sisters long for their old life. Little do they know that the mysterious events in the forest are connected to their father's disappearance, and maybe to the strange boy they meet in the dark of the woods...
Possibly the most fairy-tale-esque book on this list, Snow and Rose has all the cozy fall feelings, and it's filled with beautiful acrylic paintings by the author!
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Every Tuesday, Castle Glower's turrets, wings, and chambers shift and stretch. Whole new rooms may be formed, and old ones may vanish. Princess Celie, the youngest of the royal family, is the only person ever to have mapped the Castle, and she carries her Atlas everywhere she goes.
When the king and queen are pronounced dead during a tragic journey to visit Celie's eldest brother, the castle's Councillors immediately seize power, inviting ambassadors from other kingdoms to poke around the Castle. Celie's positive her parents are still alive, but when the Castle stops making new rooms, her hope thuds. Luckily, the last room the Castle created was a secret tower that only Celie and her siblings know about. Can the tower help them save their home and bring their parents back?
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
When the dragon that Creel's greedy aunt sacrificed her to (a plot to get Creel a worthy suitor and the entire family a better name) lets Creel leave with a pair of shining blue slippers, Creel can't believe her luck. Not only does the dragon let her live, but she finally has a chance to escape the tiresome relatives she's lived with since her parents died. Little does she know, as she travels to the King's Seat to find a job as a seamstress, that these slippers are going to be more trouble than they're worth. In fact, they could hold the power to destroy the kingdom.
Princess Princess Ever After by Kay O'Neill
Two very different princesses--Amira and Sadie--meet when Amira must rescue Sadie from a prison tower. They don't expect to be come true friends, or have to journey across the kingdom together to keep Sadie safe from a sorceress who wants to destroy her. But this and more happens to them as the princesses connect and grow together.
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
Aster's family has magic. For generations, boys have learned to shapeshift while girls learned witchcraft. But Aster can't shapeshift no matter how hard he tries, and he's truly happy when spying on the girls' magic lessons. Aster knows that there has been one witch boy in the past...but that he turned into a monster and was banished from the family. During a shapeshifting ritual, however, the other boys start to go missing, and Aster knows he can help them with magic. He meets Charlie, a non-magical girl who convinces him to use the powers he has to save his family, and stand up for himself.
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
Who was Rumplestiltskin, and why was his name so important? Where did he get the power to spin straw into gold? Why did he need the miller's daughter's firstborn child? In this tale of Rump's childhood, these questions and more will be revealed as we learn Rump's history...and his secrets.
Half Magic by Edward Eager
Jane finds the coin. And Jane has the first wish. Only the wish doesn't come true entirely--only half of it does.
What was starting out to be the most boring summer ever, as Jane and her three siblings were stuck inside with their disagreeable nanny, is beginning to look a lot more interesting--and exactly half as magical as a Neverland story. But working the magic coin isn't always easy, as doubling a wish to make the right amount come round isn't the simplest thing to do. And when the children realize they can use the coin to make their mother happy again, they need to tread carefully. Because magic is always up to tricks.
Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan
In one evening, Mup's world is flipped around.
Her Aunty dies, and as she departs, the raggedy witches that she always warned Mup about--and whose queen happens to be Mup's mam's mam--come and steal Mup's dad away. Mup, her mam, and her brother, Tipper, have to leave the mundane world to rescue Mup's dad. And though the Witch's Borough, the world's magic half, is beautiful and shining and full of magic, Mup isn't sure she likes it. Mam acts differently here as her past is dragged to the surface. As Mup's grandmother's witches fight against Mup's family and the wild magic people of the Borough, finding and saving Mup's dad may be even more challenging than it seemed.
The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz
Clementine Morcerous, daughter of the valley's resident Dark Lord, has been raised from birth to be as evil as can be. Even so, she's hardly ready to take on all the Dark Lord responsibilities while her father suffers from a curse dealt by an unknown enemy. And because she can't do it alone, she encounters new friends--the first real ones she's ever had. But this curse might change more than her father's life--it might change the way Clementine thinks about good and evil. And which side she should be on in the end.
The Real Boy by Anne Ursu
Oscar is the last magician's helper. No, not the magician's apprentice--that task falls to the sneering, conniving Wolf. Just the lowly helper, who shelves the treasured herbs used in Caleb, the magician's, potions. Oscar is fine with his quiet life in the magician's cellar. The real world is too loud and Oscar is too different to really understand it, after all.
But then Wolf is gone, and Oscar's world gets bigger without his wanting it to. The healer's apprentice is suddenly calling for his help, as the healer has vanished and perfect children in the Shining City are falling ill. And magic might not even be enough to save them.
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Hazel and Jack were best friends before Jack got hurt and stopped talking to Hazel. Before Jack vanished into the forest with a mysterious ice woman.
Now Hazel has to follow Jack or risk losing him forever.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Cathrynne M. Valente
September, whose father is in the war and whose mother is busy building planes, wants something more than washing teacups and listening to her small dog barking. That something shows up in the form of the Green Wind, who has come from Fairyland to spirit September away.
September thinks this will be a wonderfully delicious fairy adventure, but darker things are brewing. The Marquess wants something, and only September can get it. But does September want to, when the Marquess is destroying the lives of Fairyland's people? And does September have a choice?
This is definitely one of the more unique books I've read. Along the whimsically wacky vein of Alice and Wonderland, Valente's language and imagery is impeccably poetic. The best book for reading in a cozy nook, or maybe on the back of a flying leopard.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Minli is the only happy person in her village, or at least that's how it seems sometimes. She longs for a way to rid her family of poverty, of saving every last grain of rice, of living under the shadow of Fruitless Mountain. If only she could ask the advice of the Old Man of the Moon, the wise man of her father's stories. One night, Minli leaves her hut to face the forest and all its dangers on a quest to change her family's fortune.
Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola
Masha doesn't have anyone anymore. Not since her mother and grandmother died and her father started spending more time with his new girlfriend than with her. But her grandma taught her about Baba Yaga, so Masha turns to the witch when she sees Baba Yaga's assistant advertisement in the paper. When she gets to Baba Yaga's legendary chicken house, her first task is to enter it. But can she face the house's interior, and most of all, its inhabitant?
The Wolves Chronicles by Joan Aiken
The Wolves Chronicles, set in a fictional Victorian England, regale the life of Dido Twite, intrepid London slummer who defeats the king-assassinating Hanoverians over and over. Filled with wolves, hot air balloons, whaling ships, and kidnapping, this eleven-book series is sure to keep you on your toes till the end.
The Girl who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Every year, the youngest baby in the Protectorate is given to the legendary evil witch of the forest as a pacification. Every year, the witch, Xan, gently takes the baby and brings it across the forest, feeding it starlight, to the other cities where welcoming families adopt it and give it a home.
Luna is one of these babies. But Xan, when reaching for starlight on that fated night, catches up some moonlight instead, and unintentionally infuses the baby with magic.
Xan can't bring this magical child to the families on the other side of the forest. They wouldn't know what to do with her. So she raises Luna with the help of the Swamp Monster and Fyrian, a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. But as Luna's power grows stronger, her true mother pines for her in the Protectorate's Tower, and an Elder-in-training from the town plots to kill the witch and thus free his town from the yearly sacrifice, many stories may entwine themselves to bring about the end of Luna and Xan's story. But will it be a happy ending, or a sad one?
Thanks for reading! This was a really fun post to make.
Image sources
- amazon.com
- goodreads.com
- barnesandnoble.com
Comments
Post a Comment