Vivian French Biography

(Louis Catt)

Personal

Hobbies and other interests: Live music, traveling.

Addresses

Agent—Fraser Ross, 6 Wellington Place, Leith EH6 7EQ, England.

Career

Writer and storyteller. Visiting lecturer, University of the West of England. Previously worked in theater as an actor and writer, and National Book League; writer-in-residence at various schools; former reviewer for Guardian, London, England.

Honors Awards

Emil/Kurt Maschler Award shortlist, 1993, for Caterpillar, Caterpillar; Smarties Book Prize shortlist, 1995, for A Song for Little Toad; Sheffield Children's Book Award; numerous Parents' Honor awards.

Writings

Tottie Pig's Noisy Christmas, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Walker (London, England), 1990.

Tottie Pig's Special Birthday, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Walker (London, England), 1990.

Doctor Elsie, illustrated by Rowan Barnes-Murphy, Walker (London, England), 1991.

Baker Ben, illustrated by Rowan Barnes-Murphy, Walker (London, England), 1991.

One Ballerina Two, illustrated by Jan Ormerod, Walker (London, England), 1991.

It's a Go to the Park Day, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Walker (London, England), 1991, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1992.

Christmas Mouse, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 1992, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

(Abridger) Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Walker (London, England), 1992, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1993.

Tillie McGillie's Fantastical Chair, illustrated by Sue Heap, Walker (London, England), 1992.

Caterpillar, Caterpillar, illustrated by Charlotte Voake, Walker (London, England), 1993, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

Under the Moon, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 1993, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1994.

Kim and the Sooper Glooper Torch, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1993.

Kevin and the Invisible Safety Pin, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1993.

Mary Poggs and the Sunshine, illustrated by Colin West, Walker (London, England), 1993.

Mandy and the Purple Spotted Hanky, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1993.

Hedgehogs Don't Eat Hamburgers, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Puffin (London, England), 1993.

Why the Sea Is Salt, illustrated by Patrice Aggs, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1993.

Ian and the Stripy Bath Plug, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1993.

Jackson's Juniors, illustrated by Thelma Lambert, Walker (London, England), 1993.

Once upon a Time, illustrated by John Prater, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1993.

Little Tiger Goes Shopping, illustrated by Andy Cooke, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1994.

Little Ghost, illustrated by John Prater, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1994.

Spider Watching, illustrated by Alison Wisenfeld, Walker (London, England), 1994, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

The Little Red Hen and the Sly Fox, illustrated by Sally Hobson, ABC (London, England), 1994, published as Red Hen and Sly Fox, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1995.

Robbie and the Amazing Presents, illustrated by Selina Young, Orchard (London, England), 1994.

Princess Primrose, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 1994.

Mervyn and the Hopping Hat, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1994.

The Hedgehogs and the Big Bag, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Puffin (London, England), 1994.

Fat Ginger and the Awful Aliens, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1994.

Warren and the Flying Football, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1994.

Buster and the Bike Burglar, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Young Lions (London, England), 1994.

Please, Princess Primrose, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 1994.

The Apple Trees, illustrated by Terry Milne, Walker (London, England), 1994.

(Reteller) Lazy Jack, illustrated by Russell Ayto, Walker (London, England), 1995.

Jolly Roger and the Underwater Treasure, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Hodder (London, England), 1995.

First Mate Mutt and the Wind Machine Mutiny, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Hodder (London, England), 1995.

Captain Jennifer Jellyfish Jones, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Hodder (London, England), 1995.

Morris in the Apple Tree, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, Collins (London, England), 1995.

Morris the Mouse Hunter, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, Collins (London, England), 1995.

Oliver's Vegetables, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Orchard (New York, NY), 1995.

Sea Dog Williams and the Frozen North, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Hodder (London, England), 1995.

A Walker Treasury: Magical Stories, Walker (London, England), 1995, published as The Walker Book of Magical Stories, Walker (London, England), 2000.

The Thistle Princess and Other Stories (also see below), illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 1995.

A Song for Little Toad, illustrated by Barbara Firth, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

Painter Bear, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

Molly in the Middle, illustrated by Venice Shone, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.

Little Tiger Finds a Friend, illustrated by Andy Cooke, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.

Bob the Dog, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Squeaky Cleaners in a Tip!, illustrated by Anna Currey, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Squeaky Cleaners in a Stew!, illustrated by Anna Currey, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Squeaky Cleaners in a Muddle!, illustrated by Anna Currey, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Once upon a Picnic, illustrated by John Prater, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.

Squeaky Cleaners in a Hole!, illustrated by Anna Currey, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Morris and the Cat Flap, illustrated by Olivia Villet, Collins (London, England), 1996.

The Christmas Kitten, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.

(Reteller) Aesop's Funky Fables, illustrated by Korky Paul, Hamilton (London, England), 1997, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.

Guinea Pigs on the Go, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Collins (London, England), 1997.

Kelly and the Crime Club, illustrated by Lesley Harker, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Zenobia and Mouse, illustrated by Duncan Smith, Walker (London, England), 1997.

Peter and the Ghost, illustrated by Lesley Harker, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Oh No Anna!, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe, Peachtree (Atlanta, GA), 1997.

A Christmas Star Called Hannah, illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1997.

The Thistle Princess, illustrated by Elizabeth Harbour, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1998.

Iggy Pig's Skippy Day, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Kick Back, illustrated by Jake Abrams, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 1998.

Oliver's Fruit Salad, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Orchard (New York, NY), 1998.

The Boy Who Walked on Water, and Other Stories, Walker (London, England), 1998.

I Spy ABC, illustrated by Sally Holmes, Walker (London, England), 1998.

Iggy Pig's Party, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

(With Ross Collins) Write around the World: The Story of How and Why We Learnt to Write, Zero to Ten (New York, NY), 1998 published as Write around the World, Zero to Ten (Slough, England), 1999.

Whale Journey, illustrated by Lisa Flather, Zero to Ten (New York, NY), 1998.

Not Again, Anna!, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe, Levinson (London, England), 1998.

Lullaby Lion, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1998.

Iggy Pig's Big Bad Wolf Trouble, illustrated by David Melling, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

The Story of Christmas, illustrated by Jane Chapman, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1999.

Iggy Pig at the Seaside, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Iggy Pig's Dark Night, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Mrs Hippo's Pizza Parlour, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Kingfisher (London, England), 1999, published as Mrs. Hippo's Pizza Parlor,, Kingfisher (Boston, MA), 2004.

Iggy Pig's Shopping Day, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Iggy Pig's Snow Day, illustrated by David Melling, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

The Snow Dragon, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Doubleday (London, England), 1999.

(With Rebecca Elgar) Tiger and the New Baby, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 1999.

Rainbow House, illustrated by Biz Hull, Tamarind (Camberley, England), 1999.

Space Dog Finds Treasure, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

(With Jan Lewis) Big Fat Hen and the Hairy Goat, David & Charles (London, England), 1999.

(With Jan Lewis) Big Fat Hen and the Red Rooster, David & Charles (London, England), 1999.

Space Dog Meets Space Cat, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Space Dog to the Rescue, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Space Dog Visits Planet Earth, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

(With Rebecca Elgar) Tiger and the Temper Tantrum, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 1999.

(Adapter) Michael Rosen, We're Going on a Bear Hunt (play), Walker (London, England), 2000.

Growing Frogs, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 2000.

The Gingerbread Boy, illustrated by John Prater, Walker (London, England), 2000.

(Reteller) Funky Tales, illustrated by Korky Paul, Hamish Hamilton (London, England), 2000.

(Reteller) The Three Billy Goats Gruff (play), illustrated by Arthur Robins, Walker (London, England), 2000.

(Adapter) Martin Waddell, Farmer Duck (play), Walker (London, England), 2000.

Falling Awake, illustrated by Roy Petrie, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2000.

(Adapter) Sarah Hayes, This Is the Bear (play), Walker (London, England), 2000.

Space Dog, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

(Reteller) Noah's Ark, and Other Bible Stories, illustrated by Jane Chapman, Early Learning Centre (Swindon, England), 2000.

(Reteller) Michael Rosen, Little Rabbit Foo Foo, illustrated by Arthur Robins, Walker (London, England), 2000.

Let's Go, Anna!, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe, David & Charles (London, England), 2000.

Space Dog Goes to Planet Purrgo, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Swallow Journey, illustrated by Karin Littlewood, Zero to Ten (Slough, England), 2000.

Space Dog and the Space Egg, illustrated by Sue Heap, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

(Reteller) The Kingfisher Book of Fairy Tales, illustrated by Peter Malone, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2000.

From Zero to Ten: The Story of Numbers, Oxford University Press (New York, NY), 2000.

Ladybird, Ladybird, illustrated by Selina Young, Orion (London, England), 2001.

Oliver's Milk Shake, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Orchard (New York, NY), 2001.

(Reteller) The Tiger and the Jackal: A Traditional Indian Tale, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Walker (London, England), 2001.

Big Bad Bug, illustrated by Emily Bolam, Walker (London, England), 2001.

Mean Green Machine, illustrated by Ana Martín Larraníaga, Walker (London, England), 2001.

Singing to the Sun and Other Magical Tales, illustrated by Chris Fisher, Walker (London, England), 2001.

Guinea Pigs Go to Sea, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Collins (London, England), 2001.

(Reteller) Jack and the Beanstalk (play), illustrated by Harry Horse, Walker (London, England), 2001.

(Reteller) The Three Little Pigs (play), illustrated by Liz Million, Walker (London, England), 2001.

Five Little Ducks, illustrated by Paul Dowling, Walker (London, England), 2001.

One Fat Cat (play), illustrated by Liz Million, Walker (London, England), 2001.

To Mum, with Love, illustrated by Dana Kubick, Walker (London, England), 2002.

(Editor) Survivor, and Other Stories, Walker (London, England), 2002.

(Editor) Paying for It, and Other Stories, Walker (London, England), 2002.

Baby Baby, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2002.

A Present for Mom, illustrated by Dana Kubick, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 2002.

Wicked Chickens, illustrated by John Bradley, Macmillan (London, England), 2003.

(Reteller) The Kingfisher Book of Nursery Tales, illustrated by Stephen Lambert, Kingfisher (Boston, MA), 2003.

Morris the Mouse Hunter, illustrated by Olivia Villet, Collins (London, England), 2003.

T. Rex, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 2004.

I Love You, Grandpa, illustrated by Dana Kubick, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 2004.

Bert and the Burglar, illustrated by Ed Boxall, Walker (London, England), 2004.

Bill Bird's New Boots, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Egmont Books (London, England), 2004.

Detective Dan, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, A. & C. Black (London, England), 2004.

I Wish I Was an Alien, illustrated by Lisa Williams, Evans (London, England), 2005, published as I Wish I Were an Alien, Gingham Dog (Columbus, OH), 2005.

Brian the Giant, illustrated by Sue Heap, Walker (London, England), 2005.

Buck and His Truck, illustrated by Julie Lacome, Walker (London, England), 2005.

The Cat in the Coat, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Evans (London, England) 2005.

Pig in Love, illustrated by Tim Archbold, Gingham Dog (Columbus, OH), 2005.

Meet the Mammoth!, illustrated by Lisa Williams, Gingham Dog (Columbus, OH), 2005.

A Cat in a Coat, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, Gingham Dog (Columbus, OH), 2005.

Sharp Sheep, illustrated by John Bradley, Macmillan (London, England), 2005.

The Magic Bedtime Storybook, illustrated by Emily Bolam, Orion (London, England), 2005.

Princess Charlotte and the Birthday Ball, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England), 2005, HarperColllins (New York, NY), 2007.

Princess Katie and the Silver Pony, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England) 2005, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2007.

Princess Daisy and the Dazzling Dragon, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England), 2005, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2007.

Princess Alice and the Magical Mirror, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England), 2005, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2007.

Princess Sophia and the Sparkling Surprise, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England) 2005, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2007.

Princess Emily and theBeautiful Fairy, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London, England), 2005, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2007.

Henny Penny, illustrated by Sophie Windham, Bloomsbury (New York, NY), 2006.

Ellie and Elvis, illustrated by Michael Terry, Bloomsbury (London, England), 2006.

Princess Charlotte and the Enchanted Rose, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, Orchard (London England), 2006.

French's books have been translated into more than thirty languages.

"SLEEPOVER CLUB" SERIES; UNDER NAME LOUIS CATT

Sleepover on Friday the Thirteenth (also see below), Collins (London, England), 1998.

Sleepover Girls Go Detective, Collins (London, England), 1999.

(With Fiona Cummings) Sleepover on Friday the Thirteenth; Sleepover Girls Go Camping; Sleepover Girls at Camp ("Mega Sleepover Club" series), Collins (London, England), 2002.

Work in Progress

The books Princess Katie and the Dancing Broomstick, Princess Daisy and the Magical Merry go Round, Princess Alice and the Crystal Slipper, Princess Sophia and the Prince's Party, and Princess Emily and the Wishing Star, all for Harper Collins.

Sidelights

Vivian French is a professional storyteller and the prolific author of picture books, plays, and novels for children and young adults. French has created such memorable characters as Iggy Pig, Space Dog, the Staple Street Gang, the Squeaky Cleaners, and Tottie Pig. Her retellings of folk and fairy tales have been published in her native England in story collections and as plays for young performers. As Louis Catt—a pen name inspired by the author's cat, Louis—French also contributed novels to Rose Impey's "Sleepover Club" series, based on a popular British television series.

French has been interested in stories since childhood, when she read all the fairy tales she could find. "I especially remember a copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales belonging to my grandfather," she told a Jubilee Books online interviewer. "It had really crude woodcut pictures, and it gave me nightmares—but I kept going back and reading it again and again."

Publishing her first three children's books in 1990, French has gone on to produce more than one hundred titles, most of them picture books for young readers. Some of these, including Little Tiger Goes Shopping, focus on teamwork. Little Tiger and Big Tiger want to bake a cake, but they have no eggs. They head out to the store only to discover that many other animals are also headed that way to pick up various ingredients. When the animals arrive at the store, however, it is closed, and they decide to pool their resources to make a cake everyone can enjoy. "Kids (and cooks) will identify with this all-too-frequent culinary predicament," wrote Deborah Abbott in her review for Booklist. Little Tiger appears again as the hero of Little Tiger Finds a Friend, while a different young tiger stars in Tiger and the New Baby and Tiger and the Temper Tantrum, the last which Booklist reviewer Ilene Cooper deemed "on target for the audience."

French's "Oliver" stories all feature a young protagonist who likes foods such as french fries but absolutely detests vegetables. In Oliver's Vegetables, the boy's grandfather convinces Oliver that certain vegetables might be worth trying. Julie Corsaro wrote in Booklist that "this breezy story" is suitable "as the centerpiece in a preschool story time … or just for plain old fun." While noting that some adults may question whether a child would find beet salad to be "very, very, very good," in the opinion of a Publishers Weekly reviewer "agreeable readers will accept her try-it-you'll-like-it approach." Oliver's second adventure with food takes place in Oliver's Fruit Salad. When the boy is hesitant to eat canned fruit, his mother thinks the remedy is a trip to the grocery store. Fortunately, memories of his grandfather's garden help Oliver enjoy the fresh fruit his mother soon sets before him. Stephanie Zvirin considered the title "great for lap sharing or use with small groups." Food is central to another incident from Oliver's life, as the boy and his cousin take a trip to the dairy farm in Oliver's Milk Shake. As DeAnn Tabuchi noted in a review of the series for School Library Journal, "Oliver is a charmer."

Stanley, the youngest of his siblings, cannot figure out what he should get his mother for Mother's Day in A Present for Mom. When he tries to copy older family members the gift does not seem right; finally, his older sister helps Stanley figure out just the right present. French's "simple tale rings true for little ones," according to a Kirkus Reviews critic. "Children will identify with Stanley, his quest, and his ultimate triumph," assured Heather E. Miller in her School Library Journal review. A Publishers Weekly reviewer felt that "French's use of detail gives her story its individuality," and Booklist contributor Hazel Rochman suspected that readers "will enjoy [Stanley's] … bumbling, messy failures as much as the final triumphant encircling embrace."

Stanley returns in I Love You, Grandpa, as both Stanley and Grandpa realize they cannot keep up with the activities of Stanley's older siblings. However, after a nap and a song, the boy and older man discover an activity they both enjoy: swinging at the playground. Ilene Cooper, in a Booklist review of I Love You, Grandpa, noted that "the special bond between young and old plays out sweetly in this happy picture book," while a Kirkus Reviews contributor recommended the book as a "wonderful selection for the littlest one in any family and for the grandpa that is special in his or her life." Andrea Tarr, writing in School Library Journal, considered the title "a delightful choice for reading aloud or for family sharing."

Some of French's picture books focus on nature-related topics. For example, in Spider Watching three cousins study the spiders living in a garden shed. While two of the children are enthusiastic, the third is initially afraid of the spiders, but she eventually gets over her fear as she watches the fascinating creatures. Whale Journey follows a pod of whales on their migration from Baja California to the Arctic. "French's text keeps the story moving, offering information and action to capture children's attention," Carolyn Phelan wrote of the title in her Booklist review. Growing Frogs describes the lifecycle of a frog from tadpole to adult, showing readers that many types of frogs are endangered. Jody McCoy, writing in School Library Journal, considered the book, illustrated by Alison Bartlett, "a hopping good collaboration," while a Horn Book reviewer pointed out that "French provides enough step-by-step guidance so that readers can gather and observe their own frog spawn."

Like Whale Journey, both Caribou Journey and Swallow Journey focus on animal migration. For both, "French writes in the present tense with a quiet immediacy," according to Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman. While Whale Journey and Caribou Journey both focus on a mother animal and her new baby, Swallow Journey shows the journey of a whole flock on their voyage from England, through Spain and France, as they cross the Sahara, until they finally end their trip in southern Africa.

Dinosaurs, particularly the tyrannosaurus rex, are the focus of T. Rex. Focusing on dino-facts and discussing how paleontologists piece together information about the prehistoric creatures, the story is told from the perspective of a grandfather and a young boy who are touring a science museum together. "This brief tale simply and succinctly sums up how much is still unknowable in the scientific world, while also acknowledging how much can be proven through study," commented a Publishers Weekly critic. Karin Snelson, writing for Booklist, considered T. Rex to be "a sprightly picture book that's as much about the mysteries of science as it is about dinosaurs." Noting that French suggests that young readers may be the ones to grow up and discover more about dinosaurs, a Kirkus Reviews contributor commented that such suggestions serve as "an energizing idea for young dinosaur fans." Marge Loch-Wouters commented in School Library Journal that "young dinosaur lovers will enjoy the story and return to the book often."

French's retellings of folk tales are perhaps her most popular titles. In Red Hen and Sly Fox the traditional story of the gullible hen eventually outsmarting a wily fox "is given new life by French's fresh text," according to Booklist critic Lauren Peterson. "This energetic book is as fresh as it is classic," a Publishers Weekly contributor commented, while Mary M. Burns, in her review for Horn Book, praised French's use of language, noting: "The dialogue is pithy and concrete—attuned to the sensibilities of young audiences."

Lazy Jack is a retelling of the traditional story about a lackadasical boy who keeps losing the pay he receives from his various jobs. French "nicely tweaks the traditional ending to show redemption on Jack's part without losing the comedic tone," a Publishers Weekly contributor noted. Hazel Rochman, writing in Booklist, commented that "any child who's messed up with the best intentions will love the disaster tale and will relish Jack's sweet revenge."

Not all of French's folk tales are traditional; the story in The Thistle Princess is a fairy tale of French's own creation. A king and queen want a daughter, and a thistle tells the royal couple how they can have a child. Soon, a little thistle girl appears, and the parents are at first over protective, but when they allow the princess to play outside, she truly thrives. "Readers with a strong taste for … nostalgic and happily-ever-after endings will take to this one from the start," predicted a reviewer for Publishers Weekly.

Along with picture books, French is also the author of several collections of short fiction, some retellings of traditional tales and some original stories. In Under the Moon, she presents three stories: one a folktale from Eastern Europe and the others original stories. "All the stories exhibit a folkloric style, with a timelessness that should make for broad appeal," wrote Kay Weisman in Booklist. French takes a new approach to an old favorite in Aesop's Funky Fables, using plenty of sound-words to encourage acting-out storytelling. The author's "impressive range of voice reveals a keen ear for dialogue and description," noted a critic for Publishers Weekly.

French assembles seven of her favorite fairy tales in The Kingfisher Book of Fairy Tales. Retelling and shortening such stories as "Cinderella," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and "Rumplestiltskin" for a younger audience, she does not shy away from the darker aspects of some of these tales, and works to retain the traditional "fairy" elements, as she notes in her introduction to the collection. School Library Journal reviewer Barbara Buckley considered the work to be "a well-executed anthology."

In working on The Kingfisher Book of Fairy Tales, "it was exciting to revisit all my old favourites," French explained on the Jubilee Books Web site. Continuing to re-explore the stories of childhood, she has also produced The Kingfisher Book of Nursery Tales, a related anthology of retellings that "playfully retells eight … best-known fairy tales," according to a Publishers Weekly critic. Carolyn Janssen dubbed French's work on this second anthology "well done," in her review for School Library Journal.

In her Jubilee Books interview, French recommended the following advice to young writers: "Talk a lot, read a lot, listen, watch people and be around people…. Don't EVER let the fact that you can't spell or write neatly put you off writing stories—use a tape recorder, tell the story to a friend, draw it out in pictures—it's the story that matters, not the packaging."