*AD – please note we were gifted this book for the purpose of this review
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: A Modern Retelling
Written by Stephan Kalinski and Iain Botterill
Illustrated by Claudia Piras
Children’s Fiction
57 pages
Instinctively
Age range: 4+ years
Ever since I was a child I have loved fairy tales. I would read them over and over again and dream of being a brave princess. How I would defeat the evil queen, wear the dress and marry the prince. I loved them and couldn’t get enough of them.
As time moves on, and as a Mum now, I have become more and more aware that fairy tales need a little help on the equality side. They don’t quite sit with my ideology in life; that girls can do as good and are equal to boys.
So it was wonderful to get my hands on a copy of Snow White: A Modern Retelling. A beautiful book that sets about retelling a wonderful classic, but at the same time addressing the things that is wrong with it.
Simple things in the story are changed. Snow White is not the fairest of them all, but the bravest. Now only was was she brave, but she is very clever too. She escapes by her own ingenuity, she isn’t rescued. Of course there is a prince at the end, but they don’t get married, they become friends. These in the greater scheme of things are all subtle changes but it completely transforms the tone of the story and makes it so much more appropriate. It’s refreshing and more than overdue.
I can’t decide if I love that the dwarves names were changed, or I kind of miss them. But I loved their backgrounds and how they had travelled from different parts of the world. And, to be fair, how really wants to be known as Grumpy?
The illustrations are so gorgeous. The inclusion of characters from black and ethnic minorities is awesome and we need so much more of this in children’s books. Did you know only 4% of children’s books according to a CLPE study include main characters from a BAME background? This really needs to change. One of my missions this year is to increase the diversity on my children’s book shelves and this book is perfect.
I may love the fairy tales, but I do know they need updating and this retelling was so absolutely refreshing I would like to see this happen to all of my favourites – Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Please give me more!
Verdict:
Finally, fairytales have had a feminist facelift. A gentle and sympathetic retelling of a classic that makes it so much better. Girls don’t need to be rescued and they certainly don’t need their beauty the only thing they’re revered for. Give me more brave, strong and courageous heroes for my children, as well as more stunning diverse illustrations and characters. Wonderful.
Rating: 5/5
Buy the book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Giveaway
If you would like to get your hands on a copy of this beautiful book, then I have one to giveaway to one lucky reader. Simply enter your details below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway*Terms and conditions: Entries are open to UK residents only. The competition closes on the the 28th August 2020. Winners will be announced on social media and contacted via email. If the winner does not respond to the email in two weeks, a new winner will be randomly chosen. Due to current pandemic, please allow extra time for delivery.
I love a new take on a classic#kltr@_karendennis
I’m in two minds about changing the original fairy tale, I love it when it changes so much it’s a different story based on the original, but maybe a new title is in order too? The older tales are really dated and not relevant anymore, but they are still part of history and my Dad used to read them to me as a child so I guess I feel a little more sensitive about it.
A modern retelling of a traditional tale – fab! We need more books that promote diversity and equality. #KLTR
I should get this for A as Snow White is her favourite fairy tale and my least. This one sounds the much better option x
That looks so good! What a great take on a story we know and love but needed an update!
The three little pigs ( put wrong inst handle in rafflecopter – should be jollym2020 not maggz1967)
This book sounds fabulous, wish there were more diverse books when we were growing up. I would say Cinderella, we don’t need to reply on a prince to make our lives better!
Little Red Riding Hood
the princess and the pea
Little Red Riding Hood!
Three little pigs
Cinderella
I think i would have to say Cinderella
Hansel and Gretal!
little mermaid
Rumpelstiltskin
Alice in Wonderland
I would go with alice in wonderland, be interesting to see the difference
Probably all those in which a distressed damsel is rescued by a handsome prince such as Sleeping Beauty. It’s time the princesses did some rescuing.
Pocahontas xx
Little Red Riding hood would be good with a fresh twist.
Beauty and the beast
Vanity Fair xx
I am loving a brave girl better than a fair one 🙂 Definitely a story to have for my little girl #kltr
Hansel and Gretel!
Dick Whittington 🙂
Hello, I always like seeing updated takes on Romeo and Juliet.
Heidi – loved it x
The three little pigs!
Hansel & Gretel I think this story sometimes comes over as scary for youngsters.
Rumpelstiltskin
I would love to see Hansel and Gretel get a modern retelling, I think that would be really interesting.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Love, love, love the illustrations in this book and the renewed imagination. I could see me reading this to my grandchildren. Another one for modernisation would definitely be little red riding hood, way overdue for a refresh.
A modern retelling of Hansel & Gretel would be great!
Jack and the Beanstalk
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
The Brothers Grimm.
I’d like to see a modern retelling of Cinderella
Cinderella would be my choice.
I’d love a new version of cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
Cinderella
I’d love to see a modern retelling of all of Enid Blytons work.
Snow White & the Seven Dwarf
Sleeping beauty
I love the idea of these books, but I must be honest I do love the traditional fairy tales too. But, I would like to see a modern version of Rumplestiltskin.
I think a re-tale of sleeping beauty would be nice.