The Fairy Tale Fan Club by Richard Ayoade

Children have asked questions about fairy tale characters living happily ever after since the stories were first heard, but now they can write to C.C. Cecily, the Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club who will pass on the letters and await their reply. In this collection Cecily has added some editorial content to letters sent to characters like Prince Charming, Humpty Dumpty, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin with questions like 'Are you an egg or a human?' In reply to this question Humpty introduces us to the term 'anthropomorphism' and the idea of naked eggs versus the difficulties of keeping cargo shorts up if you are egg shaped. In his letter Pinocchio clarifies the difference between a puppet and a marionette, points out that anyway he could talk and walk about even when he was a puppet pointing to the overall lack of logic in fairy tales.

The letters are quirky and funny with a smattering of insight into the messages these tales impart, with reflections on contemporary interpretations like the Little Mermaid movie. Each page has delightful illustrations and themed borders by David Roberts, with the characters rendered in finely textured ink drawings with touches of subtle colour used with great effect. A witty and fun book for adults and children familiar with the fairy tales in their original form, a perfect gift book for reading together.

Themes: Fairy tales, Letters.

Sue Speck