"Dark Fairy Tales" Being Published for Chinese Children

Garri Bardin’s The Ugly Duckling (Russian animation 2010)

What's so new about these trends you ask? Isn't everything getting a dark make-over these days?

Not quite in this manner. This has popped up quite a few times in the past week or so with the fairy tale pages spreading far and wide through Chinese social media so I thought it was worth a full post rather than just the darkly retold fairy tale pages link I put on Facebook last week.

Ugly Duckling by Beleleu

This time we're talking about children's books - LITTLE children's books. Children's books with death, torture and revenge for the end of the story and no "happily ever after "anywhere in sight.

Netizens expressed disbelief over the dark ending of these children’s stories, which the online media Shanghaiist calls a “very Chinese twist.” (Source)

Although around 90% of children's books in China are imported (with their happily ever afters intact) the 10% published there showing a new trend of telling a different sort of story - on two levels:

From Offbeat China:

If what a person reads and learns in his childhood does have an impact on who he will grow into, then the story may shed some light on…well…a hell lot of why China is what it is today.

The Ugly Duckling by Andrew J. Purcell

From Global Times:

"And they lived happily ever after," is how a kid's fairy tale usually ends, but a number of classic fairy tales have been adapted here in China with different endings: the ugly duckling does not grow up into a swan but gets caught by a peasant woman and made into a dish; Cinderella is burnt to death as a burial object of the prince; and the sleeping beauty turns out to be a witch who takes revenge on the prince that gave up on trying to save her.  

Such adapted fairy tales also include The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast. Compared with the original versions of these classics, they contain more of the dark side of life that occurs in modern-day society. And because they have such dark endings, they have been dubbed "dark fairy tales" by Chinese netizens. 

(See the post on FB earlier in the week, showing The Ugly Duckling pages HERE.)

By emersontung

While these "new" stories are widely spread online and from printed books, they raise controversial discussions on whether they are appropriate for children.  

... (Some children's book publishers do not think) the new adaptations are good enough to exceed the classics. "Having been handed down for centuries, the classics contain meaningful educational benefits. [If there is no good cause,] I don't think the later generation should carelessly adapt them." 

...Yet, there are opposing opinions both among professionals and common people.  

Disney: Lilo & Stitch

A staff member surnamed Zhao at Blossom Press, one of the publishers of the adapted The Ugly Duckingstory, told reporters from Shanghai Morning Post that they were made aware of the controversy around the story and reread the piece several times but did not think there was anything inappropriate. 
"It is a fairy tale that is down-to-earth," she said, adding that there's no single writer for the new version of the story, but that it was adapted by a group and was examined carefully before being published.   

Also, some supporters argue that dark fairy tales can help raise children's awareness of possible bad things they might come across in daily life, especially since recent years have seen more and more violence against children in China.  

Ugly Duckling by Fernl

In a reader's opinion column in the Southern Metropolis Daily, an opinion holder with the name Wang Pan took the "dark version" of The Ugly Duckling as one example and wrote, "In real life, many children, [just like the duckling,] are rebellious. They do not listen to parents' warnings and leave home alone, and later meet some accidents." Wang believes it is more meaningful to warn the children than make them daydream of becoming a swan.  

...while disapproving of the "dark versions," Yang (Hongying, a popular children's author in China,)  believes that adaptations have appeared in the market because the foreign classics are no longer applicable to the lives of modern Chinese children.  

"So some people can make a selling point by adding in something more relevant to the society. But those made under the guise of a classic can do more harm."

And here's how The Ugly Duckling ends:

Chinese "Dark Fairy Tale": The Ugly Duckling

“At home, the lady prepared to kill the ugly duckling. The ugly duckling struggled like crazy. He cried: ‘Please don’t! I’m a swan!’ The lady didn’t understand a single word. She pressed him hard and killed him. ‘This is the most difficult duck I’ve ever handled,’ she murmured. Then, using her excellent cooking skills, she made the ugly duckling into a wonderful dish.”

“The darkest thing about this story is that it teaches kids not to be themselves and to follow the masses,” one netizen wrote... (Source)

You can read the whole article HERE and there's an interesting discussion on Reddit HERE. All the Ugly Duckling pages can be found HERE. 

(Note: Unfortunately, in order to get more information on any other stories I need to have an account for a Chinese social media site so I'm unable to find sources, images or more details about the other stories right now. If anyone does, please do leave a link or extra info in the comments. I'm sure we'd all like to learn more.)

Additional sources: Offbeat China, Reddit, EpochTimes

Red Czarina's Neorealist "H&G" Feature Film Coming in Fall 2013

A girl and boy. Brother and sister. Living in poverty and neglect. Lost in the woods. They see a house, rush toward it… it is magical. Full of good food, soft sheets, love and care. But in this house, danger lurks. And all they have is each other.

The Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel takes a modern neorealist twist in H&G.

What would cause a parent to abandon their child? Especially today? How would stranded children, left alone, behave?

These are the questions that prompted talented Canadian indie filmmaker, Danishka Esterhazy to write and create a "neorealist" film based on Hansel and Gretel, along with the impressive group of women filmmakers who make up Red Czarina. Take a look at the trailer for a taste of the result:

H&G Trailer #1 from Danishka Esterhazy on Vimeo.

In talking about how she began writing H&G Ms. Esterhazy says:

I have always been fascinated by fairy tales. Growing up, I was an avid reader and the world of fairy tales ignited my imagination. As an adult, my work has often been inspired by fairy tales. My short films The Snow Queen (2005) andThe Red Hood (2009), both inspired by traditional tales, are two of the film projects in which I take the most pride. After completing my first feature film, Black Field, which was based on a wholly original story, I found my imagination drawn back to the world of fable. The story that I returned to again and again was Hansel and Gretel. 

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What American McGee (Really) Wants Is His Alice Back... (& Other Kickstarter Gaffs): Take II

I've umm-ed and aah-ed about posting on this story for over a month now, mainly because I have NOT been impressed with how McGee has gone about this whole thing, and it appears we don't quite have an outcome yet, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

I should make it clear I think his Alice property is (generally) interesting, unique and important (see statements in article at link - despite being over-the-top-ridiculously violent) and that his vision and games have been an important part of how Alice is viewed right now. I also think he had an interesting take on Oz too (Oz + Steampunk + Zombies = fun, although there's a little more to it than that as well)...

BUT.

That doesn't make for a free pass on how you go about things...

Here's how I've seen it unfold (I've included a lovely set of screen caps from the headlines and left the dates intact so you can track the progress, or whatever you want to call it):
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Art: Doré Engravings With Flowers Are Creeping Me Out!

Say WHAT with flowers??!

These greeting cards by Maria Mikhhalskaya's 8th of March, fairy tale greeting cards-with-a-twist*, are causing a twist in my gut... and I think that's the point. The 8th of March is International Women's Day and these special greetings make you think about it all rather differently, don't they?

Put in a malevolent context, flowers can be very creepy...

For instance, look at Bluebeard's eyes above, as he's giving his latest bride/victim a wooing gift. *shudder*

And the Ogre from Tom Thumb talking to his wife, looking very much like he's asking her to cook Tom and his brothers with these lovely herbs:

And, of course, how like a fairy tale wolf to twist the deception one step further when approaching his prey, bringing her flowers to confuse her - perhaps the very sorts of flowers Little Red had been gathering when he met her earlier...

Well done Ms. Mikhhalskaya! You've made me think about these tales in a different way, yet again. (And I will also look at any flowers I receive in the future a tad suspiciously...)

You can find Maria Mikhhalskaya's greeting cards and more on her gallery at Behance HERE.

* If the images look familiar, they should. They're based on/are made using Gustav Doré's engravings for Perrault's fairy tales.

OUAT, OUATinWonderland, Frozen, Saving Mr. Banks on Disney XD & at D23 Jul 30/Aug 1/Aug 9

Snow White & the 7 Earth Benders* (Disney's Avatar Princesses) by Robby Cook
You can see more HERE

Disney's fairy tale (and associated) properties will be getting some TV specials and showcasing during the end of July and beginning of August, including at the annual expo D23.

Here's a summary of the relevant information from the recent announcements:

Disney XD (TV):

July 30, 2013
8:00 PM – "On The Red Carpet Disney Fandom Edition" (Disney Fandom premiere)
"On The Red Carpet" host Rachel Smith and Disney XD Insider and Radio Disney on-air personality Morgan Tompkins give fans at home an all access pass to San Diego Comic-Con. On The Red Carpet Disney Fandom Edition at 8 PM will include looks at Marvel's Phase Two films, Disney's Frozen, Pixar's Planes and ABC's Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

August 1, 2013
8:45 PM – "Once Upon a Time: For the Fans" (Disney Fandom premiere)
"Once Upon a Time: For the Fans" is a television premiere hosted by Lee Arenberg ("Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, "Once Upon a Time") featuring never-before seen interviews with ABC's "Once Upon a Time" cast, a profile of Captain Hook ("Sincerely Hook") and a special look at the families of Storybrooke and how they're intertwined ("A Fractured Family Tree"), along with a preview of ABC's new fall series "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland."

Disney Fandom will broadcast from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on July 30, July 31 and August 1. On Tuesday, July 23, Disney.com/Fandom will offer special looks, a printable schedule, news and polls, among other features.

You can find additional details HERE.

Expo event:
Disney's Annual Expo D23

Starting August 9, 2013
Location: Anaheim CA (across from Disneyland)
Disney's own expo, D23, will give sneak peeks of Frozen (Fri, Aug 9), along with other animated features while a live action presentation will happen the next day, including a first look at Saving Mr. Banks (Sat, Aug 10).
Both presentations will feature exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes footage, discussions with filmmakers and surprise celeb appearances.

More information HERE.

* You may be wondering why on earth (heh) I used an image of a Snow White/Avatar mash-up. The reason is two-fold: 1) it was made by a Disney fan and 2) it reminds me of a project I'm very sad isn't going to see the light of day in the foreseeable future - Disney's The Order of the Seven:

'The Order of the Seven' takes the idea of the seven dwarves and transforms them into seven highly skilled martial arts masters, each from a different part of the world. Set during the 17th century, the disparate international masters are all part of a centuries-old order who have lost their way when a chance encounter with a fleeing Englishwoman and an unrelenting evil that pursues her gives the men a chance at redemption and a new path to follow.

Another description:

Order of the Seven initially was set up by producer Andrew Gunn as a live-action kung fu take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but later evolved into a fantasy-action adventure tale. The story centered on a young woman in 19th century Hong Kong who escapes her wicked stepmother and takes refuge with seven men belonging to an ancient order dedicated to fighting demons and dragons. 

Snow White Sci-Fi, "Jupiter Ascending", Gets Release Date

Snow White is getting a retelling sci-fi style!

Jupiter Ascending, starring Mila Kunis as Jupiter Jones (ie the Snow White character), is well into production and just got a release date: July 25, 2014.

Here's a little more about the film:

Jupiter Ascending is said to be the Snow White fairytale fused with Japanese pop culture in a sci-fi and futuristic mythological masterpiece. From the same minds that brought the sci-fi world The Matrix and Cloud Atlas the project will begin shooting this year. (Source)

In a twist to the classic fairy tale ‘Snow White’, Mila Kunis plays the only person who possesses the same perfect genetic makeup as the highly evolved Queen of the Universe. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign is a Russian immigrant cleaning lady on Earth. A bounty hunter is dispatched to take her down, but instead, falls in love with the earthling and decides to become her protector. The Wachowski siblings (The Matrix trilogy, Cloud Atlas) are directing the sci-fi action film with Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow co-financing. (Source)

Mila Kunis having the perfect DNA? I'm sure there are more than a few (male, especially) people who might agree with that. ;) 

The Huntsman, in this case a Bounty Hunter, hired to kill Jupiter/Kunis, is Channing Tatum.

Speaking of Channing Tatum and his involvement, while his character name in Jupiter Ascending is listed as "Caine", he's not exactly playing a regular human. 

"I'm a splice, splices are essentially built in a test tube. I'm a hybrid wolf and human. And half albino, so I'm a little defective." That is definitely going to throw everyone off, but these mutations are part of the world this is set in. It's set "in a universe where humans are near the bottom of the evolutionary ladder," and splices are higher up.

Here's a synopsis (or at least, what the Wachowski's are revealing for now):
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Out of Comic-Con: OUAT - The Spoiler-y Trailer We Couldn't Show You Earlier (Hidden Under Jump)

Part of the OUAT presence at SD Comic Con 2013

Yep - the footage was finally released, mainly as a character teaser for Season 3.

It's less... professional looking (?) than I expected (maybe they shot it really quickly?) and it's less-than-subtle in it's "clues" but still a nice little way for a fairy tale character to appear.

So.... after the jump, is the trailer, described in the previous/earlier post's SPOILER section.

<<<<<<<<<<<< SPOILER ALERT! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Out of Comic-Con: OUAT Season 3 Trailers & Spoilers (Hidden)

Out of San Diego Comic-Con come all sorts of wonders, including much anticipated sneak-peeks of new shows and next season reveals. Once Upon A Time didn't disappoint.

The trailers for Season 3 shown below have NO NEW FOOTAGE (ie spoiler-free) but they're a good summary to remind you of what the set-up is for next season.

There was, however, new footage shown which hasn't been publicly released yet. One is from some DVD extras which will be available on the Season 2 Blu-ray (& DVD) and the other was a preview from Season 3. We can't show it but we can describe it.

The most details appear to have come from Entertainment Weekly so I'll post excerpts from there:

First the non-spoilery DVD extra which sounds fun:

There was also (during the screening) a quick “commercial break” – a morning show called “Good Morning Storybrooke,” hosted by Yvette Nicole Brown and Paul Scheer featuring dating advice from Dr. Whale and a low budget commercial for Mr. Gold’s pawn shop. “If you lived it, I have it!” Robert Carlyle narrated in the clip – noting that all the significant magical objects from the show have found their way into his hands. (The full episode of “Good Morning Storybrooke” will be available on the season 2 DVD.)

Here's the trailer for "GMS":

And now for the Season 3 sneak peek description....

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<     SPOILERS BELOW!!!    >>>>>>>>>>>>>

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LX Magazine's Tribute to 200th Anniversary of Grimms Household Tales - Rumpelstilzchen (Tale 4 of 5)

"Rumpelstiltskin" An artwork piece by Mandy Smith (mandysmithwork.com) Dress created in baking paper and the wheel cardboard. Room and props all designed, created and painted by hand. Photography Leon Hendrickx, Model Dorothy Bany, MakeupArtist Anita Jolles

Tale four from the 200th Anniversary Grimm's Household Tales Tribute by Lx Magazine: Illuminating Luxury. Take special note of the caption and credit above! A dress made from baking paper! Gold from straw, I mean, paper!! Beautiful work and shows you that if you put your mind to it, the magic will come... Enjoy.

- FTNH aka Fairy Tale News Hound aka Gypsy

Rumpelstilzchen - Rumpelstiltskin

“There was once a poor Miller who had a beautiful daughter, and one day, having to go to speak with the King, he said, in order to make himself appear of consequence, that he had a daughter who could spin straw into gold. The King was very fond of gold, and thought to himself, ‘That is an art which would please me very well;’ and so he said to the Miller, ‘If your daughter is so very clever, bring her to the castle in the morning, and I will put her to the proof.’ ”

You can read the full tale as published in Grimms Household Tales HERE (translated to English) and learn much more about Rumpelstiltskin's history HERE.

The final tale text and photo will be posted next week!

(Links below to all posts in this series will be updated as posts go live.)

                                                                                                                    ♚

*** TALE 1 *** TALE 2 *** TALE 3 *** TALE 4 *** TALE 5 *** 

What Do Robert Downey Jr., Mini-Me and Pinocchio Have in Common?

Megan Reichelt over at The Dark Forest announced this news earlier in the week and I've been waiting to see if there's any developing info to add to the announcement which, in case you missed it was:

Robert Downey Jr. To Play Pinocchio 

Flavorwire has reported that Robert Downey Jr. will play both a young (ger than we are used to) Gepetto and motion capture and voice Pinocchio in an upcoming movie directed by Ben Stiller. Usually Pinocchio is about a man who wants a son, but in this case, due to the strange casting, it might be about a man who wants to make a duplicate of himself. Strange, but intriguing, and appropriate for the roles that Robert Downey Jr typically embodies.

So, yes, RDJr will likely be playing two roles; dual roles that might actually be dueling roles, since it's a father/son-creator/creation relationship (hence the mini-me).

But what have I found out to add to this?

It's a little vague from all corners really, although there are additional "teaser-clues" scattered about if you can track them down, so bear with me while I dig up the tidbits that aren't making headlines because there many details that are quite intriguing. I have to do a little background to explain it all so please forgive any repeats:

From IGN:

In an unusual but utterly intriguing casting rumour, Robert Downey Jr.may play both Gepetto and Pinocchio in a movie adaptation of the classic story helmed by Ben Stiller. 

Warner Bros. was originally trying to unite Downey Jr. with director Tim Burton for the project, but it was subsequently revealed that those negotiations may have run afoul when the Iron Man star recently said he would like to collaborate with Stiller. "I want to make Pinocchio as a live action film," said Downey Jr. at an Iron Man 3 junket, "and not resorting to animation. I would like to do it with Ben Stiller…"  

Let's insert some info from Bleeding Cool for context:

"Stiller was since reported to be in official negotiations to direct the film and while it never became crystal clear if he signed up or not, or just became attached, it seems he's pressing on with development. I understand that the project is very much a going concern at Warner Bros., and more drafts of the script will be incoming, working to new ideas by Downey and Stiller. (Edit FTNH: Note that Stiller and Downey are big on the story and script input here. It's actually been called a "passion project" for Downey Jr.)

Back to IGN:

It appears that his (Downey Jr.'s) wish may now become a reality. According to investigations by website Bleeding Cool, a Stiller/Downey Jr. Pinocchio movie is currently going ahead, with Downey Jr. set to play both Gepetto and the little wooden boy himself. While the practicalities of that casting decision are unconfirmed, one would imagine there would be an element of performance capture, or perhaps Downey Jr. will just be lending his voice to compliment practical effects.

So: Burton dropped out. (By choice? By push? It's a little unclear if you read around.) And Ben Stiller is "attached" but not yet signed yet definitely working on it already (all a little unconventional but more power to them). RDJr will definitely play Gepetto and at least an aspect of Pinocchio that WON'T (?) be animation?? (? Nobody is sure what that means right now.)

More clues on what the project was going to be like (and may still be like in some aspects) from Bleeding Cool:
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If Baba Yaga Were A Horse...

Baba Yaga by ELena Davydova (Lenika86)

Well. Yes. This is a strange one but stranger things still have happened in folklore and fairy tales and this is an image I can see inspiring variations on a theme and perhaps some new Baba Yaga stories..? (Hint, hint writers!) It's such a different twist I thought it worth a whole post to itself.

To me, she looks so much like a Russian Kelpie. I would not be surprised at all if I found a tale in which she HAD been turned into a horse - somehow (and gave everyone nightmares! Hahahahaha! Oh boy it's late as I'm writing this - can you tell? ;)

Anyway, Ms. Davydova, known as Lenika86 on deviantArt, writes:

Horse-version of famous Baba Yaga - Slavic folklore character. She's old witch, she lives in a forest, collects herbs and mushrooms and... many other ingredients to prepare magic elixirs. In some tales she's evil, in others she's good - but she's always strange and marginal.

Also in the comments:

Is that a cat skull on her horn? (forgive me, I am not well versed in skulls, but I'm very curious.)(Lenika86 replies): Yes. This is all that remains of her pet - a black cat)

Ms. Davydova has a lovely gallery with many equine versions of concepts and characters - from "colors" through to cosmic events. I'll leave you with these mini versions to entice you to go see them larger as well as more of her beautiful work.

Green (the color of nature) by Lenika86

Ragnarok (loose translation:
The Apocalypse!) by Lenika86

Fairy Tale RoundUp For SDCC (San Diego Comic-Con) 2013!

My favorite of J. Scott Campbell's new Fairytale Fantasies illustrations - being released at San Diego ComicCon 2013

I haven't had much time this week to stay up to date on all the San Diego ComicCon fairy tale related goodness but I wanted to at least list it for you so that you can investigate more for yourself if you're interested (or already going) and to make it clear that fairy tales are big business right now - whether main stream, indie or in the Geek universe.

Here's a run down, in no particular order. All the links take you to pages with more information about when during SDCC they will be appearing, the times, booths & rooms and any extra preview info (note: if you can't see the show you clicked on at the top of the page they will be further down in the line-up list):

• Once Upon A Time, ABC series (going into season 3)
• Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, ABC limited spin-off series (premiere)
• Grimm, NBC series (going into season 3, including sneak peek of Dracula - new series)
• Beauty & the Beast, CW series (going into season 2)
• J. Scott Campbell Fairytale Fantasies 2014 (comics, calendars and illustration)
• *Grimm Fairy Tales Comics and Animated Pilot Premiere, Zenescope (comics and new animated pilot/possible series)
• Ever After High - Mattel (new toy line with animated webisodes, debut appearance)
• Spotlight on Ruth Sanderson, fairy tale illustrator and storyteller (presentation/interview & panel)
• Lost Girl , Syfy (going into season 4) (Why have I put this on the fairy tale list? Because it makes excellent use of folklore and fairy tale creatures in a witty and gritty "Olde Worlde meets Nu". Not for kids though.)
• Fine art poster company, Mondo, will be having a limited release of new designs for Miyazaki films Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke among others.
• There will be a limited release of Guillermo del Toro's character El Fauno from Pan's Labyrinth this year as well (last year, 2012, it was The Pale Man. 2013 is for the Faun). You can pre-order at the link and they will ship after SDCC.

*The animated pilot is getting a lot of buzz and interest. Zenescope's Grimm Fairy Tales use fairly tales and set them in a largely horror genre. They've had many, many issues and been popular for many years but the animated series is a first. More on that in a bit.

Other Fairy Tale Friends at SDCC 2013:

The Faun: Limited release at SDCC 2013

• Acclaimed indie filmmaker, Lisa Stock of InByTheEye will also be there from July 17 to 19th, promoting her new film Hell and other projects. A true mythmaker, Lisa creates myth and fairy tale films and other works (including a stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Snow, Glass Apples) and has much more fairy tale related goodness underway that I hope to be sharing very soon.
• Speaking of Neil Gaiman, he will also there on the 19th and, as usual, in great demand over everything from his comics to his books. He will be speaking on panels and presentations, including talking about his new "fairy tale for adults" book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
• Joss Whedon will be there for Dark Horse comics talking about what's next for him (including the Buffy movie rumors).
• Other topics and shows that may be of interest to fairy tale people: Game of Thrones, The Hobbit II, Seventh Son, Sherlock (apparently this is a very popular among fairy tale fans!), Doctor Who (don't you think the Doctor makes for a very different sort of Beast? ;) and The Walking Dead (yes - this is also popular among fairy tale people. I may have to post on why one of these days...), Hannibal, True Blood, Supernatural, Arrow, the pilot of Sleepy Hollow (Ichabod Crane gets thrown into the future) and Dexter.

In case you are wondering Bill Willingham (Fables) will NOT be attending SDCC this year so we're unlikely to get any further scoops on the Fables film in development at this time.

Hollywood giant, Disney, is also (largely) MIA at the San Diego ComicCon this year with only having a presence via their newly acquired Marvel properties and the ABC series OUAT & OUATinWonderland. Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks will be spotlit at Disney's own expo D23 in the following week or so.

If you have any other tip off for fairy tale folks attending, please put them in the comments and I'll send out a FB and Tweet to let people know as well.

Spotlight on Ruth Sanderson NOON TODAY at ComicCon!

From The Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold & Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

Ruth Sanderson is in the spotlight at ComicCon today! And yes, she WILL be talking about fairy tales and very specifically, according to the program. I hope those of us who can't be there will be able to get some notes or see a video excerpt of the presentation and panel.

From the official ComicCon Schedule:

A Token Of Love by Ruth Sanderson

Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm – 1:00pm 

Spotlight on Ruth Sanderson 

Award-winning illustrator and Comic-Con special guest Ruth Sanderson (The Twelve Dancing Princesses) will give a visual presentation on her career as a fantasy artist and fairy tale author/illustrator, and on her move to a more graphic format for a fairy tale for older children. Ruth’s work has appeared in fantasy magazines and on many book covers, and she has illustrated over 80 books for children. Her artwork can be seen in Spectrum, and she was the 2011 Artist Guest of Honor at the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego.Room 91: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Science Fiction & Fantasy

from The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Ruth Sanderson

Here's a recent interview with Ms. Sanderson HERE on how she views retellings, what she thinks of "too many princesses" and a change in style she's working on. The preview below shows one of her illustrations for George MacDonald's fairy tale "The Golden Key". (Click on the link HERE to see more of the amazing things she's been up to including more on this tale.)

Scratchboard illustration - preview of The Golden Key illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

Ask Baba Yaga: Will Lost Love Be Regained?

Baba Yaga by ARTofANT

Baba speaks from the heart, or, of the heart anyway... 

This week's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

My favorite responses to date:

• Oh good time for my weekly "sob-gasp along to Baba Yaga's oddly-cloe-to-home answers." (SarahP)
• These make me so happy-sad. (JanieS)
• "If your heart spoils give it to a dog". Story of my life <3 i="" nbsp="">ValleyGirl

)

Was actually pondering an attempt to regain a lost maybe-love whilst scrolling. Is The Hairpin psychic, or am I? (PomoFrannyGlass)

I am totally with ValleyGirl on this one!

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

"The Grimm Project" by Trish Lavar - 2 Tales

I found the beautiful projects below by Trish Lavar fairly recently (first one or two then tracked down the sequences) and just adore the sketchy imagination drawn into the scenes!

It's not animation and it's not a live-action with animation crossover. It's beautiful photography with a little extra to make it something unique (and extremely fairy tale like). The impression we have is that we get a glimpse of what the character herself is really looking at, but that, even so, it remains a little hazy to us.

I completely relate to this...

First up: Little Red & the Wolf

See the next tale after the jump.
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