Little Pig-new Board Game

I was contacted by Tim Eisner of Weird City Games to take a look at a new board game based off of the Three Little Pigs, a Kickstarter project in the works!

 The story of the Three Little Pigs itself seems pretty straightforward in its themes-the moral is more or less "don't be stupid when choosing building materials for your house." . However, Eisner took hold of the theme of tricking/outwitting the wolf (there is a second part to the story, that I think most of us tend to forget, where the third pig continues to be harrassed by the wolf, and keeps outsmarting him) and used it to create a board game in which players are competing against the other players for the limited resources available. Some reviewers have likened it to "rock, paper, scissors"-when I first saw the rules of play it reminded me of a version of "Settlers of Catan" for kids!

Game description:

Players in Little Pig compete to become the most renowned pig of fame and legend in this mischievous twist on the classic tale. Each Pig makes secret plans to gather wood, brick or straw. If multiple pigs gather the same resource, they have to share, but if you can guess where the other pigs are headed, you can pig out!

Double down with powerful Guess cards that reward you for out-thinking the other pigs. As your pig grows in wealth, fame and guile, you will attract powerful fairy tale friends like Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, and Puss in Boots, and may even stoop to tipping off the Big Bad Wolf.

The game is also accessible to all ages. There are simplified rules for family play so young kids can play, but "Guess cards" that can be thrown in to create complexity for older, more experienced game players.

My favorite additions are the cards that represent other fairy tale characters. For example, there is a Rumpelstiltskin card that can be used to transform straw into the other materials! There is also Little Red Riding Hood (of course, the wolf's other arch nemesis), the Fairy Godmother, Puss in Boots, the Elves (of Elves and the Shoemaker fame) and more. And an added challenge for Tales of Faerie readers-if you can think of other fairy tale characters that could work well in the context of the game, they might make a card based on our ideas! What other fairy tale characters can you think of that could be helpful (or not so helpful) to gathering straw, wood, and brick, and building houses? (I'm guessing they're looking for more well known characters that most players will recognize).

You can look at the game more in depth at its Kickstarter page or this review by Father Geek!  And if you're able to contribute to the Kickstarter, what a great way to spread fairy tale themes into the world of board games!

Completed houses-of straw, wood, and brick

All the game artwork is original, by Ryan Swisher.

Heads Up! Fairy Tale Style

The other night we were out with friends who decided to play the game Heads Up!. Many of you may be familiar with variations of the forehead game, in which each player usually has the name of a person on their forehead and has to ask yes or no questions to determine which "person" they are. Apparently this game goes as far back as Marie Antoinette's time (although this could have been one of the many creative liberties taken by Sofia Coppola in the film...)

Anyway, Ellen DeGeneres created a new version for iphones, and I was excited to see a "fairy tale" category (there's also a Disney characters category which is pretty fun). These are included in the free download of the game (there are other categories you can buy).

A couple of us tried the fairy tale "deck." I somewhat disagree with their definitions of fairy tales ("Peter Pan" was one-I had trouble guessing "Little Red Hen", it never really gets discussed in fairy tale circles, although it is technically an old folk tale). It might be fun to play if you had a circle of other fairy tale nerd friends, but one person in our group got "Katie Crackernuts," and I was the only one who had ever heard of it. It was pretty hard to get someone to guess a title that obscure to the general population. But the game would be a fun weekend activity, whether or not you play with the fairy tale option!

Fibber

My friend just told me about Fibber, a game she played while babysitting. It's for young kids, but inspired by Pinocchio.

From amazon:
"How to Play
Fibber is all about what you say and not what you play! Play cards in their order and say what you're playing. Don't have the right card? Time to put on your best poker face and try to fool everyone by playing a different card. But watch out! If you don't get away with it, you’ll have to place a nosepiece on your glasses that will continue to grow each time you’re caught! If wrongfully accused, the player who said you were fibbing has to put on a nosepiece of his or her own. It’s fun for the whole table as you watch your noses grow! Person with the SHORTEST nose wins!"

Reminds me of B.S., the card game I used to play, only with the addition of noses that grow for each lie rather than just being out. But apparently this is a hit with kids!

Grimm Fairy Tale Tea Set

A non-Disney Grimm's fairy tale tea set!

Available through Reutter porcelain

Your Own Magic Prince-Just Add Water!

Magic frog to prince, available here
Product Description:
"In life, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your Prince Charming. Forget the internet dating game, despair no more with the Magic Frog to Prince Kit.

It’s easy, simply submerge the little frog into water, and in a little while, the Prince you’ve been looking for will appear.

It’s that simple. No mess, no fuss. Instant Prince, enough said. "

Hope it made you laugh too! Thanks to Jill for the link!

How to make your own Disneyland board game

Making board games is something I have fun doing with all the kids I babysit. It's a great craft and game at the same time, and a fun way to either anticipate a trip or relive fun memories of a place you love. My favorite version is Disneyland, but it can easily be adapted to fit other vacation spots or fun places/activities that the kids like. It's basically like Candyland on steroids (i.e., with more of the special cards).1. Create the game board. Have a path (or multiple paths) from start to finish. Fill in about a third of the squares with specific activities or places within the overall theme-Disneyland rides and attractions, for example. Ask the children you're with about their favorite things to do and include them, and they can be part of the creative process. Fill in another third with the word "card" (or, I have the Disneyland ones say "Fastpass.") Then leave the rest blank.

2. Next, create the game pieces. You could borrow dice and pieces from other games, or you could create your own. For Disneyland, I make the kids' favorite princesses and have them color them in. Draw the Princesses' face and torso and arms. Then for the skirt, fill in a semicircle-ish shape with the color/pattern of the skirt. Then cut out the pieces, and twist the skirt piece into a cone, then tape the top on.

You can also make your own die by cutting out the pattern above, then folding on the lines and taping.

For non-Princess pieces, you can make cones like the plain Princess skirts-

Or color small pieces of paper a little bigger than a penny. Then fold the pieces over pennies and tape them together in the back, so you have small weighted colored pieces.

3. Color! Kids can help color the squares in and draw little pictures along the game board of the different places written on the squares.

4. Make your cards (or Fastpasses). Fold a piece of paper into sections and cut on the folds. On each of the cards, put a direction to go to one of the special squares on the game board. You can also have cards with directions such as "Long lines-go back one space" or "Send another player back to start," etc.

5. Play! Roll the dice, and when you land on a card square, follow the directions on the cards. Kids have fun playing this, and I really do too! They also take great pride in having made their own game.

This little Beast was from another toy I had and I used him as my game piece.

I'll probably be doing more Disneyland themed posts as my trip there approaches! (Only 60 more days!!)

Beaument's illustrated Beauty and the Beast

Once upon a time...

A merchant lived happily with his sons and daughters. He was very wealthy, and they were very happy. The two elder daughters were spoiled and mean, but the youngest was good and kind. She was so beautiful that everyone called her Beauty.

One sad day, the merchant lost several ships carrying his cargo. In no time, the family had gone from riches to poverty. They were forced to move from their grand home in the city and to a small country cottage.

The elder girls greatly lamented the loss of their wealth. Rather than help with the work, they would sit around the cottage and mope, leaving Beauty, her father, and their brothers to do all the work.

Though the work was tiring for Beauty, she did the best she could to help her father and appear cheerful.

Then, one day, the family recieved news that one of the merchant's ships had been recovered. The family's fortune may be restored! Very excitedly, the father packed his bags to travel back to the city. Before he left, the oldest girls begged for expensive clothes and jewels such as the ones they had had to leave behind. The father asked Beauty if she would like anything.

"I don't need anything, Father. I only hope for your safe return."

Beauty's sisters scoffed at this. Her father was touched, but seemed a bit sad. Finally, Beauty admitted she would love to have a rose if her Father could find one. Gladly, he promised to bring her the best rose money could buy.

Their father set off with high hopes, but Beauty was anxious for him to return. He did not come back till much later than he had anticipated. Beauty was waiting for him when he did.

Though very glad to see her father again, Beauty noticed he seemed very sad and tired. He had not returned with money or gifts, but he did have Beauty's rose. "Little do you know how much that rose has cost me," he told Beauty.

The father told his story. In town, the money he had recieved from his ship was barely enough to pay off old debts, and he didn't have enough to buy presents for his family. On his way home, there was a terrible snowstorm, and he became lost in the woods. He despaired of ever finding his way out, when he saw a large castle, untouched by the storm.

Completely wearied from his journey, the merchant took refuge inside the castle. He saw the most luxurious riches, but no people. A dinner fit for a King was laid out, but no one caim to claim it. After waiting and still seeing no one, the merchant ate the dinner and found a bed laid out for him. He fell into a deep, restful sleep and woke refreshed, finding a new suit. Assuming the castle belonged to a kind fairy, he thanked her and set off on his way.

On leaving the castle, the merchant passed a magnificent rose garden. Remembering Beauty's request, he picked a rose for her.

Suddenly, he heard a great roar. "Why have you stolen my roses?"

Stunned, the merchant turned to behold a great beast, dressed and walking like a man. He was furious. "I feed and shelter you, and you repay me by stealing my roses? Ungrateful man! You must die!"

Trembling, the merchant pleaded for his life. He explained that he only wanted the rose for his daughter. The Beast considered, and offered the merchant this option: "Very well. I will allow you to return home to say goodbye to your daughters, but you must return in a month to pay for your crime--unless one of your daughters will willingly come in your place."

With that, the Beast left, and the brokenhearted merchant was left to find his way home and say goodbye to his family.

Beauty's sisters chided her. "You had to be special, didn't you?" Beauty's brothers insisted they would fight the Beast and kill him, but their father knew the Beast was too powerful to be defeated. Beauty surprised everyone by saying, "I requested the rose-I will return in Father's place."

Since no one could persuade her otherwise, Beauty and her father returned to the palace one month later.

Beauty was truly frightened, but put on a brave face. She and her father arrived and found the palace just as her father had described it, with dinner laid out for them. While they were eating, they heard the Beast approaching.

"Good evening, Beauty. Have you come here willingly?"

"Yes."

"Good. I am obliged to you."

And the Beast left. Tearfully, Beauty and her father said their goodbyes, and in the morning, the father was gone and Beauty found herself alone.

Expecting to be eaten by the Beast that evening, Beauty decided to explore the castle while she still could. To her surprise, she found a room labeled "Beauty's room," fit for a Princess.

Beauty spent the day enjoying the castle and her room. When evening came, she went down to dinner, and was once again joined by the Beast.

"May I join you, Beauty?"

"You are master here."

"No, Beauty, it is you who are mistress. Am I ugly?"

"I cannot lie, Beast, you are very ugly, but I believe you are also kind."

"But I'm also stupid," sighed the Beast.

"Stupid people never realize they're stupid," Beauty replied with a smile. "But I think a kind heart is best of all."

Beauty continued to eat. At the end of the meal, the Beast asked, "Beauty, will you marry me?"

Beauty was shocked. "No, Beast," she said, and fled back to her room.

The days passed quickly for Beauty. The castle was so large and had much to explore. Each night she dined with the Beast. She grew to look forward to his company, even though each evening he would ask her to marry him. As time went by, Beauty became fond of the Beast, but could never imagine herself married to him.

Although she no longer feared the Beast, Beauty greatly missed her family. One day, Beauty saw in her magic mirror that her father was ill. The Beast could tell something was bothering her. When she told him she would like to be home to nurse her father, the Beast reluctantly allowed her to go. "But you must return within the week, or I will have died of grief."

Beauty was overjoyed at the thought of seeing her father again and eagerly promised to return. Beauty woke up in her Father's house, and nursed him back to health.

However, when her father discovered Beauty intended to return to the Beast, he was very upset. Beauty's sisters, who had been glad to be rid of her, could not believe she had been living like a queen the whole time they had been living as paupers and wanted to have revenge. They plotted to be extra nice to Beauty and convince her to stay, hoping to anger the Beast so he would finally eat her.

Amazed at her sisters' kindness, and moved by her father's worry, Beauty decided to stay another week with her family. One night, Beauty dreamt she saw the Beast, lying unmoving in the garden. She woke up and thought, "What have I done? Have I killed the Beast who treated me so kindly?"

Beauty placed her magic ring on her bedside table that the Beast had given her for when she chose to come back to the castle. Beauty anxiously waited to see the Beast, but he did not come to dinner at the usual time. Beauty ran out to the garden to see if her dream was true, and there he was lying, as if he was lifeless. Beauty ran to him, weeping, crying, "Don't die, Beast! I thought I was merely your friend, but now I realize how much I love you, and I wish to marry you!"

Suddenly, the air was filled with music and fireworks, and instead of her dear Beast, a handsome Prince stood! "Where is Beast?" cried Beauty.

"I was the Beast!" exclaimed the Prince. "I was cursed to remain in the form of a monster until a beautiful girl would love me for who I am and not for beauty or wit. You have broken the spell and will share my crown."

Beauty and her Prince were married, with much rejoicing from the Prince's subjects and Beauty's family...except for her sisters, who were transformed into statues until they learned to care for others other than themselves. As for the rest of them, they all lived happily ever after.