Zombierella: Fairy Tales Gone Bad

A deliciously spooky fairy tale twist on Cinderella for 7, 8 and 9 year-olds, perfect for Halloween reading

Joseph Coelho author Freya Hartas illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:3rd Sep '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Zombierella: Fairy Tales Gone Bad cover

The first in a funny, deliciously dark, three-part series of twisted classics, written in verse by former Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Freya Hartas.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE LOLLIES BOOK PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS
WINNER OF A TOWER HAMLETS BOOK AWARD
LONGLISTED FOR THE ALLIGATOR'S MOUTH AWARD
NOMINATED FOR THE KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL

"Such a fun story with excellent illustrations ... with enough familiarity to feel known but with enough difference to make it quirky and original" Malorie Blackman

"Starring an undead princess and a vampire prince, this should appeal especially to the dauntless young reader." Guardian


A yellow moon hangs in a satin sky the night Cinderella, barefoot and in hand-me-downs, slips at the top of the stairs … and dies. But not for long. The Shadow of Death arrives to breathe life back into her bones and, for three nights only, Cinderella goes forth as ZOMBIERELLA. With her skin as cold as ice and her faithful horse Lumpkin back by her side, can she seek revenge on her three cruel, fake sisters, once and for all?

Crawl out of the grave and step into your mushroom carriage for this haunting and humorous adventure of the undead girl searching for her happily ever after.

"Coehlo's easy rhyming verse makes the story skip along while black and white illustrations from Freya Hartas complete the gently gothic picture." The Irish Times

"Readers of age six plus who like a scare will lap up Zombierella, the first book in the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series." The Irish Independent

"A brilliant, subversive twist on the story of Cinderella for seven to ten-year-olds. Written with great lyricism, we've enjoyed it hugely in our house." Sophie Dahl, The Big Issue


Featured in The Bookseller's September Previews. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *
I think this book was great!!it was scary so it might frighten little children but it was super exiting and I loved even though it was frightening in some bits. My favorite characters are the three fake sisters. * Toppsta *
This book is glorious! The pages are glossy and each one is beautifully illustrated. * Toppsta *
My daughter really enjoyed this book and read it as soon as it arrived. it's got lots of illustrations so great for reluctant readers making the transition from picture to chapter books. * Toppsta *
I liked it because it was fascinating and had really cool drawings. The characters were great, especially the 3 fake sisters.' Words of my 7 year old RELUCTANT reader who wouldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting! Amazing! It's a fantastic book. * Toppsta *

  • Winner of The Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021 (UK)
  • Short-listed for The Lollies 2022
  • Short-listed for The Diverse Book Awards 2021 (UK)
  • Long-listed for The Alligator's Mouth Award 2020 (UK)
  • Nominated for Kate Greenaway Medal (CILIP) 2022 (UK)

ISBN: 9781406389661

Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 16mm

Weight: 340g

192 pages