Terry Jones' Fairy Tales

His take on the world is so singular that the word "unique" doesn't even get close. (of course we have devalued that word to the point that each chicken McNugget in the entire world is unique) I love this book (i'm 43) i know i would have adored this book when i was younger (and reading every book i could get my eyes on) and i truly think it is a must-have, must-read, and a "Princess-Bride-esque" choice for a book to read to a young person. Or an old one. Or a group. Seriously, you can't know how good this work is until you read it. I remember (dimly) that he said in an interview (or seven) that he felt that the fairy tales that were available were mostly hideous and nightmarish - and not in a good way (my phrasing). He wrote these for his own kids, and someone convinced him to publish them, and i'm forever glad they did so!

I'm fortunate to have one of the first American editions of this book. I bought it many years ago when my children were all small. It was one of those serendipitous moments when I do something very right and then realize it many years later. My edition doesn't have the latter section of Fantastic Stories. Regardless, I was reminded of this book this afternoon by a passing comment about a fly-by-night outfit that contacted me about working for them. In a moment of free association, I suddenly remembered Terry Jones' story about the Fly-By-Night. The memory transported me suddenly back nearly 25 years to a time when my daughter would bring me this book and ask me to read about the fly-by-night and about brave Molly. I came home this evening, retrieved the book from my youngest son's bookshelf (he's now 14), and started reading. The stories are as fresh and fun now as they were when I sat with my daughter (now in her mid-20's) reading them for the first time. It is my intent to sit and read through the book again, savoring both the stories and the memories of the stories as I do. These are off-the-wall, fun, and memorable and I recommend them for both adults and children. Even the stories that are a little scary are still simply amazing. This book has stood the test of (my) time, at least.

I'm almost 30. Throughout my life I have read hundreds of books, maybe thousands but this fairy tale book is the most memorable. The stories are fascinating and unique. It is the most colorful, imaginative display of eye-catching illustrations and story telling. If you have kids, this is a MUST HAVE. It will stay with them for years. I still read it!

After going to college for a rough two years and bogged down with work, I was given a break. It came to me in the form a freshman named Megan. I was once full of life, energy and laughter. College had drained most of that. Megan reminded me that life is about what you make of it. Life had little to do with the essays, exams and resumes. Life is fun. After knowing her for two months, Megan loaned me a battered, old book, Fairy Tales by Terry Jones. She suggested the tale of Tim O' Leary. A farmer friend of Tim O'Leary met a goblin who claimed to be Tim. The goblin said that if the farmer would retrieve a witch's treasure, he would turn back into Tim. After undergoing a horrible ordeal, the farmer retrieves the treasure and the goblin steals it away. Disappointed with the loss, the farmer heads home and meets Tim. He explains how he parted with the riches. Tim comforts and thanks him for sacrificing the money. Tim reminds him that all the treasure isn't worth the friendship they have. The other fairy tales follow suit, and give new life to the realm of fantasy. New twists wrapping Corn Dollies, rainbow cats, and magic wine give the reader a world to explore. Those parents exhausted of sending their children to sleep nightly with the same glass slipper and big bad wolf should seriously consider a new collection of the freshest fairy tales since Grimm.