Fairy Tales Gone Bad 3 Books Collection Set by Joseph Coelho - Ages 7-9 - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Zombierella
Creeping Beauty
Frankenstiltskin

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Range: Ages 7-9 (Grades 2-4)

Overview
The Fairy Tales Gone Bad collection gathers three darkly funny verse novels from award-winning poet and former Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, illustrated throughout by Freya Hartas. Zombierella, Creeping Beauty, and Frankenstiltskin twist beloved classics into gothic, gleefully spooky adventures perfect for confident young readers ages 7-9 (Grades 2-4). Written in punchy, rhythmic verse, each story blends humor, heart, and just enough shiver to make it an irresistible Halloween or year-round read. This paperback set is ideal for family bookshelves, classroom libraries, and reluctant readers who love a fast-paced, illustrated story with real bite and genuine emotional depth.

About the Books
Fairy Tales Gone Bad reimagines three of the world's most familiar fairy tales as darkly funny, deliciously spooky verse novels. Joseph Coelho, a former Waterstones Children's Laureate and celebrated performance poet, brings rhythm and wit to every page, while illustrator Freya Hartas fills each story with playful, eerie artwork that captures the gothic tone throughout the series. Zombierella flips the Cinderella story on its head, following a determined heroine who refuses to stay defeated even after tragedy strikes, using cleverness and grit to reclaim her own story. Creeping Beauty follows Eshe, a young Fairy Godmother whose visions of the future draw her into a race against a spreading, thorny danger that threatens everyone she loves. Frankenstiltskin brings a gifted young taxidermist named Bryony face-to-face with a mysterious bargain that echoes both Frankenstein and Rumpelstiltskin, testing her courage and resourcefulness. Across all three books, familiar fairy-tale bones are given fresh, subversive twists that reward curious, confident readers without losing the warmth and humor that make these stories so readable aloud. Celebrated for their clever wordplay and atmospheric storytelling, books in this series have been recognized with award shortlists and longlists in the UK, including recognition from children's book prize panels. Together, they form a cohesive, spooky-but-heartfelt trio that's perfect for readers who love fairy tales with an unexpected edge, whether they're reading solo, sharing with a sibling, or being read aloud at bedtime during the Halloween season or any time of year.

Key Benefits

• Complete 3-book paperback set of the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series by Joseph Coelho
• Written in engaging verse that's fast-paced and fun for readers ages 7-9 (Grades 2-4)
• Illustrated throughout by Freya Hartas with playful, gothic-inspired artwork
• Darkly funny twists on Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rumpelstiltskin themes
• Perfect Halloween gift, classroom library addition, or read-aloud pick for family bedtime stories
• Brand new paperback condition, ready to gift or enjoy right away

Book-by-Book Guide
Zombierella — a bold, gothic retelling of Cinderella in which the heroine rises from tragedy to confront her cruel stepsisters with wit and grit.
Creeping Beauty — follows Fairy Godmother Eshe as she races to stop a terrifying vision of a world overtaken by creeping, thorny vines.
Frankenstiltskin — a gifted young taxidermist named Bryony strikes a perilous bargain with a mysterious figure whose help comes at a steep cost.

About the Author
Joseph Coelho is an acclaimed British poet, playwright, and children's author who served as the Waterstones Children's Laureate from 2022 to 2024. Known for his energetic performance style and love of verse, Coelho has written numerous award-winning books for young readers, blending humor, emotional honesty, and lyrical language. The Fairy Tales Gone Bad series showcases his signature rhythmic storytelling paired with a playful, subversive take on classic tales. His work is illustrated in this series by Freya Hartas, whose expressive, gothic-tinged artwork brings each twisted fairy tale vividly to life, making the books equally engaging to read alone or aloud.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This trio delivers everything young readers crave: fast-paced rhyming verse, dark humor, and just the right amount of spooky suspense. It's a fantastic Halloween gift, a fun addition to any classroom library, a thoughtful birthday present, and a memorable read-aloud pick for family story time or a rainy-day chapter book binge session.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.