ONCE UPON A TIME, WHAT IF...What if the Sleeping Beauty left to make her own life?What if Bluebeard's wife seized the opportunity for justice?What if the witch truly loved Rapunzel?What if Snow White learned the virtues of right rulership from the dwarves,and Jack learned wisdom from the giants?In this provocative collection, Rebecca Buchanan (author of Asphalt Gods) re-examines classic fairy tales from Mother Goose, Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, and other sources with a sharp and modern eye, deepening the impact of the original tales and often inverting the perceived moral. These re-imaginings show us not-so-noble frog princes, environmentalist knights, wicked witches revealed as wise women, the cynical politics of fairy godmothers, and unexpected humanity in the hearts of monsters.Dig Deeper ? Twist The Tales Around ? Fairy Tales Are RevolutionaryIllustrated throughout with classic art by Harry Clarke, Walter Crane, Gustave Doré, Albrecht Dürer and others.". . . beautifully rich imagery and twists you won't see coming . . . there's both pain and triumph in these fairy tale renderings, where villains are the heroes and heroes more complex than you could ever imagine. Don't try to put this book down once you start it. Instead make yourself comfortable and settle in. It's quite a ride." --Gerri Leen, Rhysling and Pushcart Prize nominated poet"[These] poems crackle with blood and life, revenge and death, life and war, and many satisfying comeuppances. For those of you who, like me, have read countless fairy tale retellings, you'll be surprised at Buchanan's way of reimagining even the most famous stories. For those less immersed in the world of fairy tales, prepare to be entertained, dazzled, shocked, and woken up. Strongly recommended." --Kate Wolford, Publisher of Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine"A courageous and important collection." --Ceallaigh S. MacCath-Moran, Folklore PhD Candidate and Author of the Forthcoming Play The Belt and the Necklace". . . startling and revelatory. You will never look at these stories the same way again." --Adam Bolivar, Author of Ballads for the Witching Hour