Frankenstiltskin: Fairy Tales Gone Bad
A thrilling twist on Frankenstein and Rumpelstiltskin for 7–9 year-olds – spooky, gothic and the perfect gift
Celebrate Halloween and the spooky season with the second story in a funny, deliciously dark, three-part series of twisted classics, written in verse by former Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas.
LONGLISTED FOR THE CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL BOOK AWARDS 2023
Joining the family business, animal-lover Bryony proves to be an extraordinary taxidermist, whose tender fingers create displays which comfort, educate and astound. But when Byrony’s proud father boasts of her skill, who should come calling but the secretive King of all Mythica. Locking her away, he gives her three horrible tasks … three impossible tasks! It’s only then that a strange, sinister creature emerges from the shadows of the castle, offering Bryony a helping hand… But at what cost?
Frankenstein meets Rumpelstiltkin in this expertly-stitched story about a powerful king, a girl unafraid to stand up for her beliefs, and a monstrous little creature with magic – and greed – in his bones.
“Takes Rumpelstiltskin back to its original darkly horrifying roots and adds a smart, likeable heroine who saves the day with a story.” BookTrust
“Equally creepy and delightful, this is a hugely imaginative retelling that will appeal to many fans of classics with a darker twist.” Books Ireland
Creators
Joseph Coelho was the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022–2024, and is an award-winning poet, playwright and writer. In 2024 he won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing for The Boy Lost in the Maze and was awarded an OBE for his services to the arts, to children’s reading and to literature. His first poetry collection, Werewolf Club Rules!, , won the CLPE Children's Poetry Award in 2015, and he has been writing and performing ever since. His picture books include If All the World Were... illustrated by Allison Colpoys and the Luna Loves... series illustrated by Fiona Lumbers. His poetry books for children include Overheard in a Tower Block illustrated by Kate Milner, A Year of Nature Poems illustrated by Kelly Louise Judd, and his novel in verse, The Girl Who Became a Tree. Originally from London, he now lives in Edinburgh. Follow him on X as @JosephACoelho and on Instagram as @josephcoelhoauthor.
Freya Hartas is an award-winning illustrator of children's books. She illustrated Dark Lord: Teenage Years which won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, and she won the Lemniscaat Illustration Award for her first standalone picture book, Little Kong. She also illustrated the Isle of Misfits series and Frankie Frog and the Throaty Croakers. She is the illustrator of the first story in the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series, Zombierella, written by Joseph Coelho. Find her online at freyahartas.co.uk, and on Twitter and Instagram as @FreyaHartas.
Reviews
A fun and creepy twist on a classic fairy tale gone Gothic. Author Joseph Coelho delivers a delightfully eerie story with an enchanting message about the power of a word. Freya Hartas’s illustrations mix slightly gruesome elements with those which are heart-breaking and beautiful.They have previously collaborated on another Fairy Tales Gone Bad compilation this one called Zombierella. Together, in both of these texts, they create a world of magic, cruelty, and justice.
Reading Time
