By Rachel Lawson, publisher-at-large
The phrase “fractured fairy tale” took a while to permeate the Gecko Press lexicon. Possibly because we saw most of these books first as funny stories. It turns out we’ve made a number of fairy tales with a difference over the years. They have familiar characters and a story structure we recognise but with subversions large and small. And often they make us laugh.
I Am So Strong is a classic story by Belgian great Mario Ramos, first published in 2001 and still on bestseller lists for its publishers around the world. It stars a compellingly bad big bad wolf, cameos from many fairy tale characters with excellent nicknames—the little pigs become “little bacon bits,” Riding Hood “my little strawberry”—and a switcheroo ending, where the wolf gets his comeuppance in a very satisfying way.
Clotilde Perrin’s literal dives into fairy tale villains are now cornerstones of our publishing. Inside the Villains explores behind the ears, inside the boots and pockets, and much more to find out what the villains are made of. Her follow-up Gotcha! turns fairy tale houses into the ultimate hide and seek game.
We’ve enjoyed bold and adventurous girls rescuing their fathers in both Dulcinea and the Forbidden Forest and The Stone Giant.
Luckily though, a happy ending:
“When the farmer got back to his farm, there was his old tractor, repaired and freshly painted. The farmer was overjoyed, and he and his tractor lived happily ever after.”
Gecko Press fairy tales with a difference
Also in te reo Māori Taku Toa Mārika
In this fractured fairytale picture book with humorous, expansive language and a twist ending, the big bad wolf gets an unexpected and satisfying taste of his own medicine.
“The only disappointment is that the book is over so soon. Better read it again.” Starred, Publishers Weekly (US)
“With Ramos’ s bold bright illustrations, repetitive textual pattern and almost exclusively conversational style narrative, this is a great book for dramatic reading aloud.” Red Reading Hub (UK)
An extraordinary lift-the-flaps book that reveals the secrets of the most famous fairy-tale villains—the giant, the wolf, and the witch—with interactive flaps, a twist on well-known tales to read-aloud, and personality cards for each villain.
“Splendid introductions, chock-full of villainous revelations and insights both figurative and literal.” Starred, Kirkus Reviews (US)
“Just when you think the iconic fairytale villains have been dissected in every sort of retelling, Inside the Villains literally dissects them. Featuring flaps and foldouts that allow readers to explore their guts, and ultimately, their souls.” Travis Jonker (US)
In this monstrously funny and original lift-the-flaps adventure, a child finds hiding places in three famous fairytale houses before turning on their hide-and-seek pursuers—from the creator of international sensation Inside the Villains.
“A book to have young readers shrieking with delight and one that roars new shocks and excitement into the fairy tale world—unmissable.” Books for Keeps (UK)
“This intricately produced large fold-out book is like no other: a celebration of fairy tales and child empowerment that’s full of humour and detail on every page.” Library Girl and Book Boy (UK)
A funny, illustrated fairy tale for early readers about the brave and capable Dulcinea, who must save her father from the witch’s spell and get him home to celebrate her birthday.
“An indefatigable heroine, and an interplay of words and pictures that feels as if it shares lineage with Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl. A fine winter evening read-aloud.” The New York Times Book Review
“Brilliantly comedic, both verbally and visually. A neo-fairytale that will delight both solo readers and readers aloud.” Red Reading Hub (UK)
A story about cunning, courage, and survival, in which a girl sets out to save her father from the giant who turns people to stone. This is a contemporary and timeless fairytale that tells of a child who succeeds where adults cannot.
“With compelling language and amazing illustrations, Anna Höglund has proven that a well-told story really is timeless.” INIS magazine (UK)
“Read aloud or explored independently, this original fairy tale will whet the appetite for more Swedish imports.” Kirkus Reviews (US)
This original picture book about construction vehicles combines facts and details about excavators, trucks, cranes, and more with funny stories about the animal engineers operating them, sure to delight machine enthusiasts of all sizes.
“Line and color cartoons pay due homage to the massiveness of most of these machines even when they tip into the absurd. . . Things-that-go books crowd the shelves, but few offer as many giggles, snorts, and laughs as this one.” Starred, Horn Book Magazine (US)
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