WOMEN OF THE FAIRY TALE RESISTANCE

Long before The Brothers Grimm, there was a sisterhood of writers who defied the patriarchy and launched a literary craze with their feminist fairy tales - these are their stories.

In 17th century Paris, a group of women who called themselves conteuses (female storytellers) came together to weave the very first fairy tales. One of them, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy, actually coined the term 'fairy tale' and some of these stories contain many familiar (and well-loved) elements that appear in tales like Rapunzel and Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately, these women, and their tales, have mostly been forgotten to history.

Women of the Fairytale Resistance uncovers seven of these writer's biographies - which are just as compelling as their fairy tales - and retells 12 of their original stories. The women were mostly young noblewomen who were forced into undesirable marriages and did not have the freedom to give their opinions, travel, or choose who they wanted to love. They used their stories as a way of subtly complaining about their husbands and critiquing the oppressive reign of King Louis XIV. The female-empowering, gender-bending tales combine themes like romance, fantasy, and escapism and their protagonists control of their own destiny - something the writers deeply desired in their own lives.

Enchantingly designed with stunning full cover illustrations throughout, this unique and entertaining book will have you rethink everything you know about traditional fairy tales.

Jane Harrington is a Visiting Assistant Professor of English at Washington & Lee University in Virginia, where she teaches courses in fairy tales and writing craft (fiction and nonfiction). Her main research interests include contemporary issues and literature of Appalachia, the history and folklore of Ireland, and the 17th Century French salon women who launched the first fairy tale vogue and were essentially erased from history.

Based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Khoa Le (illustrator) is the author and illustrator of numerous picture books. Her illustration work has gained many awards such as the Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor (Miriam at the River - Kar-Ben Publishing), Notable Award Kirkus Best Children's Books, Notable Award ALA Notable Children's Books, New York Public Library Best Books for Kids (The Most Beautiful Thing - Lernerbooks), Kirkus Best Books of 2020, A School Library Journal Best Books of 2020, Winner of the 2021 Ohioana Book Award (Sugar In Milk Running Press Kids).