Book picks similar to
The Lost Happy Endings by Carol Ann Duffy


picture-books
children-s-books
fantasy
children-s

The Princess and the Pea


Janet Stevens - 1835
    In this rendition a tiger is proven to be a princess.

Spring Story


Jill Barklem - 1980
    Apple takes advantage of an idyllic spring day to plan a surprise birthday party for a cranky little mouse who fears he's been forgotten.These gentle, sweetly mischievous books will enchant anyone who's ever been charmed by the world of Beatrix Potter.

Boris and Bella


Carolyn Crimi - 2004
    Her slime is the slimiest and her grime is the grimiest. Alas, she is neighbors with Boris Kleanitoff, a persnickety ghoul so tidy he vacuums his vampire bats. What could ever bring these two together? Why, a hoppin' Halloween party, of course!

The Snow Dragon


Abi Elphinstone - 2019
    In Griselda Bone's gloomy orphanage, daydreaming is banned, skipping is forbidden and Christmas is well and truly cancelled. But for Phoebe and her sausage dog Herb, is it possible that, just when things seem at their bleakest, magic awaits in the swirling, snow-filled air?   Join them on an enchanting adventure in this beautifully moving story by the bestselling author of Sky Song and The Unmapped Chronicles, Abi Elphinstone, and renowned illustrator Fiona Woodcock.

The Sunflower Sword


Mark Sperring - 2010
    In a land marked by endless fighting between knights and dragons, a mother gives her eager little boy a sunflower rather than the sword he requests, and when he wields it against a real dragon, new understanding begins.

The Midnight Unicorn


Neil Reed - 2006
    A beloved statue that comes to life. An unforgettable and exhilarating journey. With its combination of magical story, stunningly realistic art, and shimmering spot-lamination throughout, this lovely picture book will enchant children again and again.   Children will feel their imagination take flight along with the title character as they enjoy Neil Reed's captivating tale of a very special midnight ride. More than anything, Millie loves the statue of the unicorn at her park. Its closed eyes, gentle mouth, and kind smile always make her happy. Then, one day, as she presses her hands against the statue's neck, she feels a shiver run through the stone: marble has become flesh and the unicorn has come alive. And riding on his back, Millie soars up, up, up, into the sky, over forest and lakes, through storms and lighting, to the land where unicorns still play…. With images so realistic they almost seem photographed, and spot-lamination that makes the stars-and lots more on the page-shine, this beautiful story will become a perennial favorite. Neil Reed has been illustrating books for nineteen years. His illustrations for Unicorn Dreams, by Dyan Sheldon, were praised by School Library Journal as “captivating….Reed's unicorn…will win the hearts of romantics of all ages.” Of his illustrations for Shirley Isherwood’s Something for James, Publishers Weekly raved, “Reed's radiant watercolors set off the tale like a Tiffany setting displays a gem…the cozy world that the warmly lit artwork portrays is one that readers will eagerly enter time and again.” When Neil Reed is not illustrating books for young readers, he can be found surfing with his children at beaches near their home in Cornwall, England.

Tough Boris


Mem Fox - 1994
    Or is he? When a young boy sneaks onto Boris's ship, he discovers that Boris and his mates aren't quite what he expected.

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash


Trinka Hakes Noble - 1980
    Jimmy's boa constrictor wreaks havoc on the class trip to a farm.

The Three Bears (A Little Golden Book)


Rob Hefferan - 1973
    All children love to hear each bear say, “Who’s been sitting on my chair?” knowing that Goldilocks is about to be discovered upstairs!

Mixed: A Colorful Story


Arree Chung - 2018
    In the beginning, there were three colors . . .Reds,Yellows,and Blues.All special in their own ways, all living in harmony--until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anyting that can change their minds?A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

Cinderella


Anthea Bell - 1812
    The smoothly told story contains the familiar details and a happy ending in which Cinderella forgives her stepfamily." - The Horn Book Club -"This satisfying tale never grows old. Koopman's illustrations are jewel-toned and Cinderella herself is attractive as a person and figure." - Yellow Brick Road -

Inside the Villains


Clotilde Perrin - 2018
    An extraordinary pop-up book that reveals the secrets of the most famous fairytale villians: giants, wolves and witches.Lift the flaps to get right inside each villain and see what’s hidden—behind their ears, under their clothes, in their pockets, even the victim of their last meal waiting to be rescued.Read all about each villain on their personality card, which shows strengths and weaknesses, favourite pastimes, physical characteristics, their best meal and—of course—their favourite books.This exquisitely produced book is like no other: a celebration of story that’s full of humour and detail, to mesmerise readers of all ages.

Jack and the Beanstalk


Iona Treahy - 1965
    It is suitable for reading aloud and sharing with preschoolers.

Interstellar Cinderella


Deborah Underwood - 2015
    With a little help from her fairy godrobot, Cinderella is going to the ball--but when the prince's ship has mechanical trouble, someone will have to zoom to the rescue! Readers will thank their lucky stars for this irrepressible fairy tale retelling, its independent heroine, and its stellar happy ending.

Walt Disney's Peter Pan


Eugene Bradley Coco - 1960
    It is a must for any children's book collection.