(This review contains plot spoilers)

Sometimes a children’s picture book comes along that is destined to greatness, a children’s book that will redefine children’s books for the next generation, a book that every child should own – required reading in every college class on writing for children. This is not that book.

This is the sort book you really want to have on hand for those children who have heard all the stories. You know that type. They sit in there smug little beds demanding that you share with them a new story every night. While a professional storyteller may consider such a dare a challenge; I can see how it might be intimidating for the average parent to come up with new fractured fairytales night after night.

“Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs” by Willy Claflin is your answer to the child who has heard all the stories. The illustrations by James Stimson are amazing, swift and modern. This children’s picture book lands directly in the land of fractured fairytales. A land populated by many ugly and beautiful relatives of Read the rest of this entry »