Fractured Fables

Gr 4 Up—Kids who like Art Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly's "Little Lit" titles (HarperCollins) will cackle over this collection of familiar tales given an irreverent twist. Rapunzel thinks the prince's request to "let down her hair" is "really random." Gepetto injures his hand trying to spank his robot son after the Blue Fairy grants the wish that makes Pinocchio a real boy. Cinderella rejects the lovely blue ball gown provided by her fairy godmother—she was thinking more "Anne Hathaway at the Oscars." The art comes in a diverting variety of styles, from cartoony to painterly, and in media from watercolor to full digital. Contributors include comics veterans who have worked on every major character in the industry; writers and artists who are well known for their kid-targeted graphic novels; and relative newcomers. The stories are short, colorful, funny, and sometimes a little rude—perfect catnip for a wide audience.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD