(4) K-3 Fairy Tales Today series. Illustrated by Becka Moor. Cinderella, an inventor's daughter, builds housework robots so she can focus on her invention: techno-slippers that make "her feet move perfectly." Her smooth dance moves save the toy factory where her father works and leave her stepmother to do the cleaning. This folktale re-imagining offers a modern heroine who takes charge. While they don't extend the text much, the illustrations are amusing.

Reviewer: Morgan Stewart

(4) K-3 Fairy Tales Today series. Illustrated by Mónica Carretero. Hansel and Gretel outsmart lunch lady Mrs. Maggot and raid her hidden stash of desserts. When Mrs. Maggot catches them, Gretel's quick thinking takes care of "the world's worst lunch lady." The mildly diverting story and gross-out details in the cartoony illustrations will appeal to readers' baser instincts. This updated fairy tale is amusing but not a necessary purchase.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Fairy Tales Today series. Illustrated by Erica Jane Waters. In this recasting of Andersen's tale, dance class bully Emma always gets her way until a new student promises her a magnificent tutu visible only to "amazing dancers." Of course, no one wants to admit they can't see the tutu. While true to the story's origins, Emma doesn't get to redeem herself, which is unfortunate in this context. Friendly illustrations play out the drama.

Reviewer: Morgan Stewart

(4) K-3 Fairy Tales Today series. Illustrated by Jo de Ruiter. As a baby, Prince Handsome is cursed with an allergy to pointy things; a run-in with a toy sword puts the kingdom to sleep for one hundred years. Princess Anya uses her smarts (and a kiss) to wake the prince. Switching the main characters' genders is a clever touch, but this re-envisioning of "Sleeping Beauty" doesn't offer much substance. Genial illustrations accompany the updated tale.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn