Further Tales:
They begin with your favorite fairy tales, and take them further.
My first five novels used the same hook: Creating sequels to classic fairy tales, that take place long after the original adventure had faded into legend. These books have been around for a while, and have been favorites in many classrooms, beloved by teachers and often handed to reluctant readers. Happily, Simon and Schuster put out new editions of The Thief and the Beanstalk and The Mirror's Tale not long ago, so those books continue to find new readers.
The Thief and the Beanstalk
Long ago, a boy climbed a beanstalk and came down a thief. Now a young thief will climb to that strange land in the clouds... and what will he be when he comes down?
“Catanese's first Further Tale is a rollicking adventure meshed with complex characters and an intriguing spin on a familiar tale...Vivid descriptions, especially of the giants and the enormity of the castle, bring the setting to life...Important themes of good and evil, sacrifice and personal worth, and guilt are addressed appropriately with a sensitive hand, shedding new light on a well-known story.” -VOYA
“First-time
novelist Catanese smartly plumbs this well-known story for all its moral
ambiguity…this is the rare fairy tale variant that will appeal to boys--not a
princess nor romance in sight--and the plot brims with perilous battles, narrow
escapes and truly icky elements (e.g., the nightmarish creatures with spider
bodies and human heads that trail Nick through the giant's castle). Fans of Tim
Burton's movies will enjoy this.” - Publishers Weekly
A book with many covers.
The Thief and the Beanstalk has been reprinted several times with new covers. The blue one is the rarest, only available at some Scholastic book fairs.
The Mirror's Tale
Long
after the death of Snow White, one of her descendents stumbles on the lost
magic mirror... and is soon in the grip of its corrupting spell.
“In this accessible entry in the series, Catanese imagines events many years
after "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" ends … Buy where there is a
demand for fast-paced, easily read adventure fantasy.” – School Library
Journal
“In a time of kingdoms, barons, and knights, two twins, Bertram and William,
cause their parents much trouble. In a last-ditch effort to discipline the twin
boys, Baron Charmaigne decides to separate them for the summer. William will go
visit his uncle and Bertram will stay behind; but the twins decide to fool the
parents and switch places. This switch proves more fortunate for the kingdom
than they both realize--here is where the tale becomes very compelling. This
story would appeal to middle school students either read aloud or read as a
twist on the popular fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The story
moves quickly and one does not need to have a strong history background to
appreciate the rivalry between the brothers or the knowledge that having one's
greatest desire can bring large risks and challenges.” – Children’s
Literature
The Brave Apprentice
When
an army of trolls marches toward the heart of the kingdom, it’s up to a clever
tailor's apprentice to discover the secret to defeating them.
“With brains, luck, and the help of a charming fool, Patch sets out to do the
impossible. A charming riff on The Brave Little Tailor, this is neither a spoof
nor a retelling, just straightforward adventure in a land of magic and
enchantment.” – KLIATT
“The quick pace moves from one action-packed scene to another... Patch's
awkwardness and lack of self-confidence make him all the more likable as he
seeks to defeat the trolls and prove himself.”
- VOYA
The Eye of the Warlock
Forty
years after the frightening adventure of Hansel and Gretel, their young cousin
discovers a much deadlier enemy deep in the forest.
"This is the wonderful continuation of the classic fairy tale Hansel and
Gretel. With the occasional witty use of figurative language, Catanese does a
great job creating his own believable world rooted within a classic. This is a
great middle to high school read, as it shows a wonderful emotional journey and
character growth." - Children's Literature (at Barnes and
Noble)
The Riddle of the Gnome
A
boy cursed to bring bad luck to anyone who comes near lives a sad and solitary
life. One day a foul-tempered gnome promises to end his curse...but only if the
boy accompanies him on a harrowing adventure that involves marauding armies,
ancient curses, a monster too horrible to behold, and surprising answers to old
mysteries.
"With some neat twists and plot turns, this takes ole' 'Rumpelstiltskin'
to a new level. Give this to those who enjoyed Ella Enchanted..." – KLIATT
A map of the Further Tales world.
Each of the fairy-tale inspired novels is a standalone story. But I had an idea about how all of the lands connected, and created this map. The Books of Umber series used the same geography, and referenced some of the place names and creatures.
