On the Shelf: The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell

THE LAND OF STORIES | CHRIS COLFER | LITTLE, BROWN | 2012

Alex and Connerr Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales. The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about. But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

As many of you know, I can't resist fairytales. Re-imagined, contemporary tellings of these traditional stories are my favourite books to collect. My fairytales bookshelf is the treasured corner of my apartment. These stories are classics - and anyone who can play off of these well-known tales and creatively expand them into new adventures deserves praise. 

I was excited to hear about Chris Colfer's first book for children. Naturally, I was also concerned. Most celebrities who go on to write books aren't necessarily the best authors and I really didn't want the concept for The Land of Stories to be ruined. Thankfully, Chris Colfer's talent for writing matches his natural ability to act and The Wishing Spell is - dare I say it - a new classic.

I wish this book had been around when I was a child. Colfer's story answers many of the questions we all have about the fairytale characters we love. What happened after "happily ever after" anyway? What made the Evil Queen so evil? Where is this magical fairytale land and how is it politically governed? How did Goldilocks come to be a ninja?

Okay, so maybe Colfer touches on a few questions that we didn't necessarily need answered. However, his expansion of this world of fairy tales - his very own Land of Stories - is so believable that it makes you wonder if Colfer is a descendent of the Grimm Brothers. It's as though "the way it should have been" is finally being told.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a truly imaginative retelling of many fairytale stories, seamlessly put together in one narrative. Chris Colfer has written a children's literature classic that will remain on my shelf for many, many years. I can't wait to read the sequel and to some day share this story with my own children.

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Glass that housed a lonely soul up ‘til midnight’s final toll.

A saber from the deepest sea, meant for a groom’s mortality.

The bark of a basket held in fright while running from a bark with bite.

A stony crown that’s made to share, found deep within a savage lair.

A needle that pierced the lovely skin of a princess with beauty found within.

A wavy lock of golden rope that once was freedom’s only hope.

Glittering jewels whose value increased after preserving the false deceased.

Teardrops of a maiden fairy feeling neither magical or merry.