Scary Fairy Tales

Hans Christian Andersen wrote many familiar fairy tales. However, his original stories have much scarier details than the versions many readers know. In "The Little Mermaid," the sea witch didn't just magically take the little mermaid's voice to prevent her from speaking-she took her tongue! It's tidbits like this that will give readers the chills as they enter the fantasy world of "The Witch," "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," and "How Bradamante Conquered the Wizard." Each story showcases how content and word choice can add to a story's haunting tone, and full-color-but creepy-images and illustrations offer readers a jumping-off point to allow their imaginations to roam.

The story "Beauty and the Beast" is well known to most people-or is it? In this retelling of the classic fairy tale, the dark details of the original story return. Readers who have only seen the famous movie will find the beast much harsher, but the goodness of the young woman who comes to know him remains enchanting. Richly colored images and illustrations accompany this tale as well as "The Goblin Pony," "Tom Tit Tot," "The Goblin Pony," "The Jellyfish and the Monkey," and "The Strange Visitor." Though from other cultures, they offer the same eeriness of more familiar tales.

When an ogress kills a man's two brothers, he sets out to find out what happened. Though beginning with this frightening premise, the tale "Tritill, Litill, and the Birds" teaches readers not about defeating an ogress, but about the benefits of being kind to those in need. This and other stories introduce readers to more traditional fairy tales that don't always end happily. Full-color images and illustrations draw readers into a world of dark fantasy as "The Sprightly Tailer," "The Ogre of Rashoman," and "The Gifts of the Little People" demonstrate the skill and imagination needed to tell a good tale.

"Rapunzel" and "Cinderella" have both been imagined as movies with happy endings and positive morals. However, both stories began as haunting fairy tales long ago. In "Rushen Coatie," a similar story to "Cinderella," the wicked stepsisters don't just end up without the prince, their toes are cut off! And Rapunzel's witch? She sends Rapunzel to live in the desert! Though old, these tales will enthrall readers familiar with happier fairy tales and stimulate their imaginations with full-color images and illustrations. Other dark fairy tales from around the world, including "The Dragon of the North" and "The Demon with the Matted Hair," introduce readers to new tales of terror and woe.

What could be more terrifying than a city crawling with rats? In "The Ratcatcher," a story eerily similar to the legend of the Piped Piper, readers are taken to an old German town where that's exactly the problem. However, by the end of the tale, it isn't just the rats that have disappeared...where are all the town's children? This and other terrible tales are accompanied by full-color images and illustrations that add some beauty to otherwise dark literary worlds. The fire of readers' imaginations will be lit as they encounter unforgettable storytelling in "Gold-tree and Silver-tree," "The Devil and his Grandmother," and "The King Who Would See Paradise."

The first English edition of The Arabian Nights' Entertainment was published in the early 1700s-and its tales are still being told today! "The Third Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor" introduces readers to a story from halfway around the world, showcasing centuries-old South Asian culture. Joined with the classic tale of "Jack the Giant Killer," "Jorinda and Jorindel," "Tamlane," and "The Twelve Brothers," readers are drawn into chilling, eerie fairy tales that include lots of magic and wonder. Dark, haunting images and illustrations complement each story and help readers explore these scary fairy tales and their own imaginations.

The story of "Little Red Riding Hood" has always been a bit creepy: a wolf wants to eat a girl so badly he poses as her grandmother, who he also ate! But the original tale by the Brother Grimm has an even more unsettling narrative. Readers will enjoy the chills of the huntsman's rescue of Red and her grandma in addition the eerie details of "Schippetaro," "Mr. Fox," and "The Farmer and the Badger." Full-color images and illustrations add to each story's tone of gloom and doom.

Fire-breathing dragons are the epitome of mystical evil. From guarding princesses in towers to destroying villages with fiery fury, dragons are found in fairy tales from all over the world, including "The Prince and the Dragon." Equally chilling are tales of "Mr. Miacca" and his penchant for eating little children and "The Singing Bone," "The Story of the Fisherman," and "Molly Whuppie," which introduce readers to the darker side of fairy tales. Charming, colorful images and illustrations offset some of the more macabre content and encourage readers' imaginations.

Cultures all around the world have told fairy tales for centuries. For many western nations, these have included the tales of Hans Christian Andersen. Retellings of Andersen's "The Snow Queen" and "The Red Shoes" present some chilling tales for readers, and full-color images and illustrations add beauty to each. Readers are also introduced to a Japanese fairy tale called "The Goblin of Adachigahara" and an English story of jealousy, "The Rose Tree." Though the stories don't offer happy endings, readers can learn about culture in other places around the world and the art of storytelling through reading these dark tales.

To many, the Wicked Witch of the West is one of the scariest literary villains of all time. Not only can she command flying monkeys to attack, but she preys upon poor, innocent Dorothy who just wanted to find her way home. Complemented by full-color images and illustrations, the story of the Wicked Witch and her enslavement of Dorothy is retold for a new generation of readers in this volume. Similarly chilling tales, including "Hansel and Gretel," "The Horned Women," and "The Master and His Pupil" are also included to introduce readers to mystical worlds made all the scarier by their imaginations.