SLEEPING UGLY Illustrated by Diane Stanley Coward McCann 1981 ISBN# 0-698-30721-6 Coward hardcover ISBN# 0-698-20617-7 Coward paperback ISBN# 0-590-46105-2 Scholastic paperback ISBN# 0-698-11560-0 Paperstar paperback ISBN# 0-395-73227-1 Houghton Paperback Plus ISBN# 0-698-11560-0 new Paperstar edition

This is the book I always use when I do storytelling concerts. It's fun to tell and always gets listeners--young and old--in a good mood. Princess Miserella is the ugly sleeper of the title. The heroine is Plain Jane. She is ably assisted by the old fairy and Prince Jojo, the youngest son of a youngest son who has no gold or jewels or property to speak of. Everyone loves the moral at the end of the story but I won't spoil it by reciting it out of sequence! Diane Stanley's pictures are wonderfully cranky and original though--to be honest--she says she doesn't like them. However, she's the only one who feels that way! There are many editions of this book, including a Scholastic Book Club edition and something called a Paperback Plus, which includes Sleeping Ugly, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty,(not by me), and other material. Note in the photo credit for that edition, both Jason's name (Stample) and my name (Yolan) are mis-spelled.

See a feminist analysis of the book.

       Available in the new Paperstar edition.

What reviewers have said: "This irreverant look at fairy tales still has the prince saving the damsel in distress, but love is no longer based on beauty or status. Stanley's playful illustrations heighten the humor of the book and give it a distinctly modern setting in the end." -- Children's Literature

Recording: Michale Gabriel did a storytelling version of SLEEPING UGLY on her tape "Word Dreams"

Musical Theater production: Griffin Theater, Chicago: "Happily ever after" takes on new meaning in Griffin Theatre's world premiere of "Sleeping Ugly: The Musical." Adapted by William Massolia from Jane Yolen's popular children's picture book, it is a funny, engaging and subversive retelling of a classic fairy tale. The production works on all levels. Director Richard Barletta allows his six-actor cast to embrace this band of quirky characters with a whimsical greed; George Howe's smart songs have a touch of satire that add layers to the storytelling. May/June 2005 "All in all, "Sleeping Ugly" is a fine package for theatergoers of all ages."—Chicago Sun Times

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