First published 1988
Jack climbs his magical beanstalk while Beauty faces the Beast in his enchanted castle. A nightingale sings its heart out for an emperor, and clever musicians from Bremen outwit a band of thieves. Meanwhile, Tattercoats walks in rags through the countryside, and an emperor parades naked through his kingdom while his subjects pretend to see magnificent clothes. Hepburn brings together six beloved fairy tales in fresh retellings that capture the wonder and wisdom of these enduring stories. Each tale follows heroes and heroines as they navigate challenges through courage, kindness, and wit. The collection moves from Jack's daring climb to Beauty's transformative love, offering young readers adventure, magic, and the satisfying justice that makes fairy tales so compelling. These stories remind us that the smallest acts of bravery can change everything.
Genres: short-stories, fantasy, fairy-tale-retellings
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, transformative-love
Audio Cassette · Harperaudio