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Titles in This Set
Zombierella
Frankenstiltskin
Creeping Beauty
Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781406389661 / 9781406389678 / 9781406389685
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Range: 7-9 years
Overview
The Fairy Tales Gone Bad collection reimagines three much-loved classics as gloriously gothic, laugh-out-loud verse novels. Written by former Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas, this three-book paperback set follows a zombie Cinderella, a monstrous mash-up of Frankenstein and Rumpelstiltskin, and a thorn-covered twist on Sleeping Beauty. Sharp, witty and spooky, it's a brilliant introduction to verse storytelling for readers aged 7-9 who love a darker edge to their fairy tales.
About the Books
This deliciously dark trilogy takes familiar fairy tale bones and gives them a thrillingly modern, macabre makeover. In Zombierella, Cinderella falls to her death on the night of the ball — only to be raised by the Shadow of Death, returning for three nights as a vengeful, ice-cold zombie determined to settle scores with her cruel stepsisters. Frankenstiltskin mashes together Frankenstein and Rumpelstiltskin, introducing a patchwork creature who strikes a dangerous bargain with a king desperate to bring his dead wolf back to life. In Creeping Beauty, fairy godmother Eshe glimpses the future and foresees a girl smothered in creeping thorns, setting her on a quest to change fate before it's too late. Written entirely in verse, each story crackles with rhythm, dark humour and Coelho's signature wit, while Freya Hartas's illustrations add gothic flair throughout. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, these books make poetry accessible, funny and gripping — ideal for reluctant readers and anyone who loves a fairy tale with added bite. Each story stands alone, so the set can be read in any order.
- Three complete paperback stories in one spooky set: Zombierella, Frankenstiltskin and Creeping Beauty
- Written in engaging, rhythmic verse by an award-winning former Waterstones Children's Laureate
- Dark, funny twists on Cinderella, Frankenstein/Rumpelstiltskin and Sleeping Beauty
- Atmospheric black-and-white illustrations by Freya Hartas throughout
- Ideal for reluctant readers, poetry fans and lovers of gothic fairy tale retellings
- A brilliant gift set for birthdays, Halloween or World Book Day
About the Author
Joseph Coelho is an award-winning poet and author who served as Waterstones Children's Laureate from 2022 to 2024. Known for making poetry playful, inclusive and irresistible to young readers, he has written numerous acclaimed picture books, poetry collections and verse novels for children. His work has won the CLiPPA Poetry Award, among other honours, and he's celebrated for championing reading for pleasure and bringing fresh, contemporary energy to classic storytelling — making him one of the most exciting voices in children's literature today.
Why You'll Love This Set
Funny, spooky and beautifully strange, this collection turns bedtime reading into an event. Three twisted tales, one brilliant author, and verse that makes reading feel like a thrill ride — perfect for growing readers who want fairy tales with real bite.
Please Note: Cover artwork may vary slightly from the image shown; all books are the current UK paperback edition with a UK ISBN.
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