Fairy Tales

Fairy Tales is a 1981 collection of children's stories written by Monty Python member Terry Jones, featuring illustrations by Michael Foreman. The book combines ink drawings and watercolor paintings to bring its whimsical narratives to life. The stories follow classic fairy tale structures while incorporating unexpected elements and modern twists. Tales include adventures with goblins, magical mirrors, and talking celestial bodies, all presented through Jones's distinct comedic lens. The collection balances child-friendly fantasy with sophisticated humor and occasional bittersweet endings. This balance earned the book significant recognition, including selection by Children's Laureate Michael Rosen as one of the five best children's stories ever written. The stories explore themes of identity, choice, and consequence through a mix of traditional fairy tale elements and unconventional storytelling. Jones's approach creates narratives that work on multiple levels for readers of different ages.

Readers find these tales darker and more subversive than traditional fairy stories. The humor ranges from clever wordplay to absurdist plots, with many noting the stories feel like Monty Python sketches in fairy tale form. Readers appreciated: - Stories work on both adult and child levels - Unexpected twists on familiar fairy tale tropes - David Forman's illustrations complement the text - Short length makes them good bedtime stories Common criticisms: - Some stories end abruptly or feel unfinished - Humor can be too dark for young children - Writing style is inconsistent between stories Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "Perfect blend of silly and smart" - Amazon reviewer "Too weird for my kids but I loved it" - Goodreads review "The endings often fall flat" - Goodreads review Several readers compared the stories to Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes in their irreverent approach to fairy tale conventions.

Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl Classic fairy tales receive twisted retellings with dark humor and surprising endings that subvert traditional story expectations.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka Traditional fairy tale structures break down through absurdist humor and meta-narrative techniques that deconstruct storytelling conventions.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly A young boy enters a world where fairy tales transform into darker, more complex narratives that explore grief and growing up.

The Last Fairy Tales by Peter Beagle Original fairy tales blend modern sensibilities with traditional folklore elements to create stories about transformation and consequence.

Un Lun Dun by China Miéville A parallel London hosts an adventure that turns familiar fantasy tropes upside down through inventive world-building and unexpected plot turns.

🌟 Terry Jones wrote and published several children's books in between filming Monty Python episodes, often drawing inspiration from the same absurdist humor that made the show famous. 🎨 Illustrator Michael Foreman has created artwork for over 300 children's books throughout his career, including classic works by Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. 📚 The book earned special recognition when Children's Laureate Michael Rosen ranked it alongside works by Roald Dahl and Maurice Sendak in his top five children's stories. 🎭 Jones's background in medieval history (he studied at Oxford and wrote several scholarly works) heavily influenced his approach to reimagining traditional fairy tale elements. ✨ Unlike traditional fairy tales that often end with clear moral lessons, Jones's stories frequently conclude with playful twists that challenge readers' expectations and encourage critical thinking.