Every one knows the story of Cinderella but to enjoy this book you must forget what you know as the poet Joseph Coelho introduces us to Zombierella who still wants the happy ever after even if she is dead. No matter how old the person who is reading this will get a lot of enjoyment out of the book as it is written in verse and the illustrations by Freya Hartas brings that extra special to an already wonderful book. One particular scene made be howl with laughter but I won't tell you what it is as it would completely spoil the fun. A big thank you to Netgalley and Walker Books who let me review this wonderful Middle Grade Book and I can't wait to read the next in the series. For these reasons I have to give 5 stars.

this was a really short and sharp middle grade that is just perfect for halloween/October times and perfect for children to enjoy too!! this is fairytales gone bad and this one is based of of cinderella but who is a zombirella instead! a cute little story

This was a deliciously macabre retelling of Cinderella that I think 11 - 15 year olds would love. For fans of Tim Burton, the Nightmare Before Christmas and real horror stories, there were some pretty gruesome scenes in here (perhaps reflective of the original source material for Cinderella, like the ugly sisters chopping parts off their feet to make the slipper fit!) - I wouldn't read to a class below Year 6. However, for children that enjoy the creepy and spooky, this was refreshing and hilarious, with real heart.

This unique take on the Cinderella story was darker than I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed the humour in it and the illustrations are stunning. I look forward to sharing with upper KS2 and finding out what they thought.

I wasn't sure what to expect with Zombierella (apart from a Cinderella turned zombie) but I loved the completely original take on an age-old fairy tale.
The free verse narration makes this slightly grusome twisted tale very accessible yet it is full of great vocabulary too which makes it perfect for Upper KS2 children. I'm sure the humourous nature of the tale and illustrations by Freya Hartas will prove very popular with children; any fans of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes are sure to enjoy this.
I am very much looking forward to more 'Fairy Tales Gone Bad'.

The most of us will know classic fairy tales. But what happens if the state of a fairy tale book changes so much, that this state will also affect the inside? The “fairy tales got bad” series is taking this situation and puts our classic fairy tales in a slightly more creepy setting.

As the name suggests, "Zombierella" is a fairy tale adaptation of Cinderella. Before the actual story starts, you'll find the prologue. In this prologue you'll find a librarian telling us the story of Zombierella. This short section also gives insights at other "fairy tales got bad" stories, which will hopefully follow soon.

The classic Cinderella story got a totally new feeling because of the zombie theme, but the original fairy tale is still very recognizable.

Between the really cute zombie story, we will find a lot of great and detailed drawings by Freya Hartas. These are numerous at the book and really add value to the story.

The language in the book is kept very simple, just as you would base it on a children's book. Also, if you´re not a native speaker, you can enjoy it.

Some may wonder if it is too scary for children to read a story about a zombie. This is definitely not the case here. I have never heard such sweet story about a zombie before in my life and I am sure that I would have loved this book in my childhood.

Conclusion:
"Zombierella" is a very beautiful fairy tale adaptation, which is slightly creepy, as well as really cute at the same time. If you like fairy tales and want to enjoy different versions of them, or if you have a child, which love creepy-cute stories, you should give this book a chance! I am very excited about the other fairy tale adaptations of this series, which will hopefully follow soon.

When a book turns rotted and rancid, what happens to the fairytales inside? Do they still brim with sweetness and light? Or do they become something altogether darker... Something deadly...

When Cinderella slips on a "shiny surprise" on the stairs and dies, her happily ever after could easily have died with her. Fairy godmother's are in short supply in the afterlife, but Death herself comes to give Cinderella one last taste of life. Cinderella shall go to the ball... As a Zombie.

A funny verse story children will love, with art work in equal parts sweet and disgusting. Zombierella is a deliciously gruesome twist on a well loved tale - this is Cinderella (and her prince) as you've never seen them before. You can forget about glass slippers and pumpkins in this twisted tale.

The three fake sisters are brilliant and will have children squealing in revulsion and delight - especially when the prince comes calling.

This story is perfect for in the classroom, or for children who want a little more darkness in their fairytales.

Zombierella may be my favourite book of the year. I love a classic fairytale and this has been reimagined to a completely new story whilst maintaining all the elements that allow it to pay homage to the Cinderella we all know and love.

This book actually made me laugh out loud and grimace at the same page! I loved the accessible nature of the verse structure but the language choices were exceptional!

This book has already been ordered to use in school!

This was pretty scary! I know some children and parents will love this retelling but some will be a little taken aback.

Cinderella has had a deliciously dark and gloriously gruesome makeover in Joseph Coelho's riveting retelling, Zombierella!

With plenty of gory guts and hacked off feet, pulled out brains and broken bones, Coelho's twisted gothic fairytale is positively dripping with wickedness, wit and, surprisingly enough, warmth. For under the goosebumps and beneath the grave is a hauntingly hilarious story of love and forgiveness.

Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes.

What a totally glorious version of a much loved tale. Cinderella has had a make-over like none before. this is definitely one for those who love work by Chris Priestley and also Goosebumps. Joseph Coelho brings his humour and poetical writing together to really create a fantastic book. This is going to be a favourite, even with those who don't usually enjoy reading.

Zombierella is the first in a deliciously dark, three part series of twisted classics.

I gasped, grimaced and gagged my way through the rotten tale of Zombierella and when I wasn’t doing one of the aforementioned I howled with laughter!

For older primary children, the tale of Cinderella as they know it is way past it’s sell-by date. So with severed limbs, skeletons, coffins, corpses and perished pets, not to mention all sorts of other deadly and disgusting changes to the story, Zombierella is ‘Cinderella ‘gone-off’ -nicely rotted and ready to be relished once more.

Fairy Tales Gone Bad is such a clever concept. At the beginning of the book we meet ‘The Librarian’ who is the keeper of ‘decrepit stories, ragged legends and putrid parables.’ The format reminded me of ‘Tales from the Crypt’ as The Librarian joins us for the Epilogue and Prologue, a bit like the Crypt-keeper in the television show. He sets the scene for the forth-coming festering and forgotten tale.

A pale and interesting prince arrives in the town of Grimmsville. With a need to feed he prepares to host three balls at the haunted mansion on the hill- three nights to hopefully find his next victim… ahem, I mean princess!

Although very beautiful, with braids to die for, Cinderella’s FAKE sisters are utterly unpleasant and make the house as mucky as they can to ensure she cannot go to the ball. With the house in such a mess, Cinderella slips at the top of the stairs and the shadow of death is waiting for her at the bottom. I won’t tell you what Cinderella slips on to cause her to fall to her death – I’ll leave that nasty little surprise for you to discover for yourself when you read the story – but it will have you heaving!

Cinderella goes forth as Zombierella. She digs up her beloved horse from his grave in the garden and gallops off to the ball where Dancehall music is pulsing – there are so many awesome Afro-Carribean twists throughout the book. Over three nights, the tale follows the familiar pattern and Zombierella gets closer to bewitching her prince. She also exacts her revenge on each of her three FAKE sisters in the most gruesome style. But just when you think they’ll ‘all live horribly ever after,’ the clock strikes midnight and Zombierella flees the ball. The handsome prince must track-down and identify the body of his zombie bride-to-be in the most unusually horrific of ways.

Freya Hartas’ illustrations are so engaging, that teachers will need their visualisers at the ready. The pacey verses of Zombierella make this a highly entertaining class read that can be devoured quickly – it was absolutely made to be read aloud. This is a book I feel would equally work extremely well in a guided reading group as the children would be able to really savour the illustrations close-up and there is authorial choices and shades of meaning to discuss in spades. The short chapters make it a manageable guided text. With Halloween on the horizon, this could be a great alternative to sweet treats and costumes for parents wanting to indulge their ‘tweens’ in the festivities at the awkward in-between stage before they are ready for full horror.

I can’t wait to find out which Fairy Tales Gone Bad are ‘rattling their chains and creaking their spines’ on the forgotten bookshelf waiting to be discovered next. I’m hoping the hints from ‘The Librarian’ at the beginning of this book turn out to be future tiles. If they are, we could be wiping off the mould from ‘Jack and the Flesh-Eating Beanstalk, dusting off ‘Creeping Beauty’ or ‘The Monstrous Duckling’ and I must say, ‘The Boy Who Puked Up a Wolf’ sounds absolutely epic! Upper Key Stage 2 pupils will relish these disgustingly devilish tales.

With thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for providing me with a digital copy of Zombierella to review ahead of publication.

4.5
This is a great little read for kids who are just a bit morbid, like I was.
I loved how unapologetically dark it was. It still has all the classic fairytale messages such as true love and being a good person but with a zombie Cinderella and other dead/undead characters.
I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it hadn't had so many great illustrations, they are so beautiful and gothic looking while showing the humour in the story. They really brought the story to life (pun not intended) for me.
Highly recommended to anyone of any age who enjoys a good retelling of a classic fairytale with an undead twist.
I'm kinda hoping that they'll do Creeping Beauty next, that picture intrigued me.

Coelho introduces children to aspects of gothic literature using some of the appealing features of the romantics such as Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker to a younger audience. The way Coelho uses fairy tales is amusing and engaging drawing on children’s previous knowledge with a vey innovative and intriguing perspective.

Zombierella emerges in the mist of this context.

The way the amazing poet Coelho writes - break lines at the right place - adds rhythm to the story, making it more magical, gothic and alluring. The illustrations bring the scenes to life, complementing the poetic narrative. Highly recommended!

Fairy tales have evolved and instead of a traditional Cinderella story, this beautifully illustrated book is all about.... Zombierella. (a zombie). This story has all of the Cinderella elements you would expect but with twists that hook you in and make this a gripping read. The content includes death, zombies and dead pets and my usually squeamish daughter devoured this book! I hope some more fairy tales go bad in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Walker Books for this ARC.

Zombierella: Fairy Tales Gone Bad
by Joseph Coelho is a riveting retelling! The verse is diabolically delicious in its delivery and is sure to bring smiles and goosebumps to kids of all ages!

Freya Hartas's illustrations are to die for (all the puns hehe) and I just love how she complemented the imagery of the writing. Spectacular!
Hands down one of my favourite children books this year!

Thanks for the ARC Netgalley!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC of Zombierella.

I enjoyed this. Its a Cinderella retelling that's told in verse but is also extremely dark, funny and witty. There were times where I wondered if it might be a little too dark for kids, seen as this is a middlegrade. But otherwise, I really enjoy this retelling.

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful as well, they definitely added to the story.