Blurb

Snow White has lived all her life hoping that someday she will find a way out of her evil stepmother’s clutches. Now it seems her dream of freedom is within her reach. But will she just extend her hand and take what’s hers? Or does fate intervene again, shattering all her hopes?
They call her the Evil Queen, but it’s not her fault that the mirror demands to be fed. She has tried her best to keep Snow safe. Unfortunately, she might not be able to help her wayward stepdaughter anymore. Things are rarely the way they seem. And Snow might have to learn this lesson the hard way.

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Learn business lessons from Snow White and the Seven dwarfs along with seven dwarf names, that will help you to apply in your own business.

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

A gorgeous picture book centered on body image and positivity.

The illustrations are absolutely fantastic. They wonderfully portrayed Tameika's movement and emotion. Adorable art style.

The plot of the book was also well done. It is simple and entertaining enough that children would be interested in it, while still getting across an important message. I loved the emphasis on actions and skills over appearance. While Tameika may not look like the traditional image of Snow White, she proved that she was the right fit through her talent and passion, demonstrating that appearance isn't everything.

A wonderful book with adorable illustrations and a heartfelt story. I really enjoyed it. 

by Lily Fang

This is a slightly cringe-worthy story about Snow White and Rose Red as magicians sent to a rich kingdom to investigate the sleeping spell on Sleeping Beauty and find a cure.

To be fair, on the technical side, if I were an English teacher grading this on spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, I would have to give it an 'A'. My issue is with the characters and plot.

The character traits could have worked well in a YA story with original names. Rose Red is a skilled fighter and that appeals to a lot of YA readers. However, superimposed onto fairytale figures just doesn't work for me.

Similar with the plot, it might have worked without the fairytale connection, even with a nod to the sleeping spell on Aurora. For me, well, I wouldn't have finished it if I weren't reading it for a challenge.

It might work well for someone else. Those whose reading tastes run to Hunger Games and that sort of thing. It definitely wasn't for me.

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

I was born just feet from the surface of the earth, completely unheard of for a dwarf, but it couldn't be helped.

- first sentence

 

 

The dwarf's name is Borlen and his nickname is Grump. This story is set in the same world as Rump, Jack, and Red and written by the same author, Liesl Shurtliff. I really enjoy this series and I am always happy to see a new book come out. The series takes fairy tale retellings to a new level. The characters are all part of the same larger world and I love the way Shurtliff weaves them all together.

Borlen is obsessed with the surface even though most dwarves are terrified of it. He always feels like a bit of an outsider. When he finally finds himself above ground, his first friend is Queen Elfrieda Veronika Ingrid Lenore (E.V.I.L.). Readers know she is the Evil Queen, but Borlen is fairly naive and thinks she is his friend (his only friend). And so, Borlen gets caught up in the Queen's plot against Snow White.

I loved the characters in this story and the story itself. Grump is so complicated and conflicted but also very clever. At first Snow White seems like a self-centered, spoiled brat, but later we find out she is more complex than that. The crew that Borlen is a part of consists of seven dwarves - of course, one of whom sneezes a lot - go figure.

I highly recommend this book to readers in grades 4 and up, especially fans of fairy tale retellings. I read this as part of the Goodreads HA A-to-Z Challenge and for space #1 in the Snakes and Ladders game (book with a female author).