She suggested we get them for the library, and that was an exceptional success. They were very literally never on the shelves and in high demand in our reserves.
At the time, I admit, I was a little baffled. I mean to say, fairytales? For secondary kids? Now that I’ve had the delight of delving into this anthology, I can totally see the appeal.
This is the first anthology based on the successful series and is a collection of short stories written from a ‘What if...’ angle.
Using Disney fan-favourite movies as their foundation, writers (of other stand-alone Twisted Tales) have brought together some highly entertaining hypotheticals.
The premise is one we often use with students to encourage creative writing, and I suggest that makes for a strong connection to self for young readers.
What if Snow White had her own magic?
What if Jim Hawkins joined forces with Long John Silver and Co.?
Each complete story takes one of these speculations and follows the twist for around 40ish pages, which makes this a perfect dip-in-and-out of read. I particularly enjoyed Mim and Merlin being rivals at the same magic school and Remy meeting Colette first (probably because these two remain favourite Disney movies for me).
This would make a lovely gift for a fan of either Disney or fairy tales and the cover is not only atmospheric but very stylish with it’s embossed gilt title. And while it’s chunky at 560ish pages, it’s a comfortable size in the hands. All these are little details which I find important. I give it a huge recommendation for capable readers from around 10 years upwards, and suggest it as a perfectly magical present for someone who could use a sprinkle of fairy dust.
Title: A Twisted Tale Anthology
Author: Edited by Elizabeth Lim. Written by Elizabeth Lim, Liz Braswell, Jen Calonita, M.K. England, Livia Blackburne, Micol Ostow, Kristina Perez, Farrah Rochon
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $29.99
Date of Publication: November 2023
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760269098
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Fiction