Dance Violet has lived with the village’s wise woman since she was left there on the night she was born. This wise woman taught Dance Violet many things.
She learnt all about the chickens and animals she feeds, the herbs that the local apothecary and midwife needs for their medicines, and how to cook and clean and look after herself.
She has never felt lonely, even if she has been hidden from the rest of the village by the wise woman for her whole life. But upon turning ten, the wise woman tells her she must now go to school. The very next morning, the wise woman has gone. Dance Violet is upset but soon vows she will live as the wise woman has taught her, and she will even go to school.
School however is a strange place. Dance Violet has never been with other children, but they are not the problem. Her teacher who she expected to be patient, kind and understanding just as the wise woman was; is nasty, cruel and bitter. Mr Murk treats his students terribly – and Dance Violet is shocked. It might be her very first day, but she is instantly at war with him.
The other children cower and shudder at his beatings, shouting and threats, but Dance Violet just sees a horrible man and won’t stand for it. She’s calm and collected and soon realises that the wise woman has taught her much more than cooking, cleaning and animal care. Mr Murk has met his match.
But he isn’t her fellow student’s only problem. Something terrible has been happening in the village and nobody has been able to stop it. Is Dance Violet the hero they need?
A mix of fairytale, adventure, magic, and terrible tyrants – Once Upon a Wickedness is an entertaining read.
Just like the tales of old, this fairytale doesn’t pull any punches, doesn’t explain its magic and is powered by good against evil. It is peppered with modern sayings which make it all the more engaging to the reader or the listener to the story.
A large clear font, fun chapter headings and nearly two dozen illustrations (often in double spread) capture young readers quickly and take them on a quest, to befriend a dragon, fight an evil sorceress and finally put things right for a small beleaguered village.
The children of the story are the heroes, and even when facing true evil, they gather their combined strength and keep on fighting. I think that young readers will particularly love the way a horrible teacher gets his comeuppance and how the events are not over explained, but just happen with the power of positive thinking and friendship.
Sometimes, this is exactly the type of story we all need. Simple, funny, and entertaining, all rolled up in good-old fashioned fairytale magic.
Author – Fleur Beale
Illustrator – Lily Uivel
Age – 7+
See more books by Fleur Beale here
See more books illustrated by Lily Uivel here
(2023, Penguin Random House NZ, New Zealand Author, NZ Author, Funny, Terrible Teacher, Good vs Evil, Sorceress, Payback, Fantasy, Friendship, Adventure, Animals, Bullies, Courage, Growing up, Historical, Humour, Magic, Poverty, School, Positive Thinking, Helping Others, Fairytale, Old fashioned Storytelling)