Sylvia Locke is a very bad girl, the worst-behaved girl of Fairytale Land. She’s already had some magical adventures, but now in David Horn’s Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother, Sylvia is worse than ever. Her grandparents have shipped her off to stay with her Aunt Marjorie and the two step-cousins who are too good to be true. From life in the country to life in the suburbs, Sylvia is not a happy girl. When an invitation to the Prince’s ball arrives, Sylvia is determined to attend. Against Fairytale Land’s rules, Sylvia even goes so far as to get the evil fairy godmother to help her. Her quest is not what she expected, especially when she picks up some new, yet equally imperfect friends.

David Horn’s early chapter book, Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother, is the second book in the Tairy Fails series. Following the pattern set with the first book, this one re-writes the classic Cinderella fairytale in a funny and somewhat quirky way. Told from two points of view, the wizard's and Sylvia’s, the first-person narrative instantly draws the reader into the story. The plot follows Sylvia, Fairytale Land’s epic bad girl, as she moves in with her aunt and boringly perfect cousins, learns of the Prince’s ball, and sets her sights on attending at all costs. The adventure intensifies as things get out of control. There are pictures to color at the end of the book. This is a great book for early readers and will have these young readers chuckling along with the ‘bad’ girl’s antics.

David Horn's Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother (Tairy Fails #2) retells Cinderella's narrative in a modern and singular manner. Once upon a time in Fairytale Land, Sylvia lived on her grandparents' farm after her parents abandoned her. After a series of wayward exploits, Sylvia is sent to Buttzville to live with her strict aunt and step-cousins; will she find her place there or find her happy ending? When an unexpected opportunity to visit the castle and meet Prince Quinn arises, Sylvia embarks on a fantastic trip with some unusual companions, including an evil fairy godmother and a magical automobile. If you're seeking an uncommon fairy tale with a witty and rebellious protagonist, you'll love this book.

Sylvia Locke's Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother (Tairy Fails #2) gives voice to every misfit little girl who has never aspired to be a princess. Sylvia is an excellent example of a different girl who has been abandoned by her parents and seeks attention by acting wickedly. However, I enjoyed how this lovely story demonstrates that she simply wanted to make some new friends. The speed of this book is captivating, and the few graphics that emerge throughout are a nice addition, as are the coloring pages at the conclusion. In addition, I liked the unconventional ending; who needs a prince to make them happy? David Horn's spin on a traditional fairy tale is original and attractive to new generations. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an amusing and unique way to experience this magical land.

Sylvia Locke is the most badly behaved girl in all of Fairytale Land—so bad that a wizard (Fairytale Land security) was appointed to secretly monitor her. Now her grandparents are sending her off to her step-aunt’s place for the holiday, in the hope that she will learn some manners from Aunt Marjorie’s well-behaved daughters. Sylvia is not happy about this and decides to be meaner. At Aunt Marjorie’s, she forces the girls out of their room and plays the meanest prank on them. Sylvia has many more pranks up her sleeve, but an invitation to Prince Quinn’s Q-ball turns her scheming in a different direction. Although she is uninvited and unqualified, Sylvia Locke plans to go to the ball at all costs, even if it means consorting with an evil fairy godmother. Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother by David Horn is an alternate-universe Cinderella story.

Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother is a fairytale with a lot of twists in the plot and characters, and I liked every bit of it. The main character is a fiery, naughty girl; the fairy godmother is evil; and at midnight, the magicked car turns into a bicycle. I also liked how this story ended on a good note, but certainly not happily ever after. I was especially amused by the punned series title, Tairy Fails. The story is illustrated with vivid monochrome drawings, and there are a couple of coloring pages at the end of the book. David Horn’s version of the Cinderella story is unique and interesting, and I recommend it.

Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother: Tairy Fails #2 by David Horn continues Sylvia's escapades. Sylvia is not well behaved and many think of her as the baddest kid in town. To teach her some manners, her grandparents send her to her Aunt Marjorie, which only makes her bitter. But things start looking up when the prince announces he’s hosting a Q-Ball where he will choose a girl to be an honorary princess. The problem is that her aunt won’t let her go unless her room is clean so she does the only thing she can: she contacts an evil fairy godmother. With her fairy godmother’s help, she devises a plan to get to the ball where she has no doubt she’ll get to be the honorary princess. This delightful chapter book teaches a lesson in humility and appreciation.

Sylvia is crafted as a spoiled girl who behaves badly with no respect for anyone around her, least of all her step-cousins, who she calls goody-two-shoes, and her aunt. She does have a journey of growth in the story, however, where she learns appreciation for where she’s from and for her family which is a great lesson for children to engage with. David Horn's setting is original and makes it easy for young readers to relate to this world while keeping them constantly engaged with the story. The fairytale aesthetic has easy references that are often used for humor such as the names of the towns like Buttzville and Farmington. The retelling is straightforward with easy-to-spot references such as a prince looking for a princess, Sylvia not being allowed to attend, her dress magically appearing, and her transportation being derived from the changing of another object. However, these elements are flipped in unique ways such as the godmother appearing like a rocker, a robot dressed like a maid appearing to clean, and a bike turned into a car. Illustrations are paired with the story which features humorous scenes, clear depictions of Sylvia’s attitude, and key moments. These help establish the age range of younger readers while providing clever snippets; from a magical donkey to Sylvia attacking a fake gnome. Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother is a lighthearted tale with a good message about being respectful, appreciative, and kind.