I grew up loving the work of Janet and Allan Ahlberg, so I was thrilled when I discovered Fairy Tales for Mr. Barker – a picture book written and illustrated by their daughter, Jessica Ahlberg. This cumulative story follows Lucy and her dog, Mr. Barker, through a series of fairy tales. As they go from one story to another, they rescue Goldilocks, the Three Little Pigs, Jack, and Sleeping Beauty from their fairy tale fates with the gentle suggestion of “you’d better come with us.” After narrowly escaping all of the familiar villains, the story ends with the heroes and heroines safe and sound, sleeping over at Lucy’s house. This picture book is beautifully created, with soft, detailed pictures. Die-cuts on many pages add a delightful touch of mystery and intrigue, urging the reader on to the next tale in the adventure. Whether you’re looking for a fun introduction to fairy tales or a fresh take on classic stories, pick up Fairy Tales for Mr. Barker!