Step into the enchanting world of Whatever After, where classic fairy tales get a modern, hilarious twist! Sarah Mlynowski’s beloved children’s series follows siblings Abby and Jonah as they tumble through a magical mirror into stories like Snow White and Cinderella, only to accidentally rewrite the endings. Packed with humor, heart, and empowering lessons, Whatever After invites young readers to reimagine happily-ever-afters.
Since its debut in 2012, this New York Times bestselling series has captivated kids worldwide, translated into over two dozen languages. With its blend of adventure and relatable sibling dynamics, Whatever After turns fairy tales into a playground for creativity and self-discovery.
How Whatever After Began
Sarah Mlynowski, a Montreal-born author with a knack for witty storytelling, dreamed up Whatever After to combine her love for fairy tales with a modern twist. Inspired by her childhood fascination with fractured fairy tales and magical adventures, Mlynowski crafted a series where ordinary kids could reshape classic narratives. The idea sparked when she imagined a girl falling into a fairy tale and shaking things up, leading to the creation of Abby and Jonah’s magical mirror. Published by Scholastic, the series launched with Fairest of All in 2012, kicking off a decade-long journey of fairy-tale fun.
The Heart of Whatever After
The series centers on Abby, a pragmatic 10-year-old, and her adventurous 7-year-old brother Jonah, who live in Smithville after a move from Chicago. Their basement mirror whisks them into fairy tales, where their meddling creates comical chaos. In Fairest of All, they stop Snow White from eating the poisoned apple, only to realize she’ll miss her prince. If the Shoe Fits sees them shatter Cinderella’s glass slipper, scrambling to fix her ball. Bad Hair Day has them chopping Rapunzel’s locks, while Just Dance dives into The Twelve Dancing Princesses with a whirlwind of mystery.
Whatever After shines through its themes of empowerment, friendship, and resilience. Mlynowski reimagines princesses as self-reliant heroines who prioritize careers and choices over instant romance. Abby’s sarcastic humor and Jonah’s impish bravery make the stories relatable, while the fractured fairy-tale format teaches kids to embrace change and problem-solve creatively. The series’ vibrant settings, from enchanted forests to royal balls, spark young imaginations.
Why Whatever After Resonates
Whatever After has left a lasting mark on children’s literature, offering a fresh take on fairy tales that challenges outdated tropes. Its empowering narratives inspire young readers, especially girls, to see themselves as capable heroes. With over eight million copies in print and adaptations like graphic novels, the series continues to grow, delighting fans with its wit and warmth. Its global reach and enduring popularity prove that kids everywhere love stories where they can rewrite the rules.
- Publication Years: 2012–present
- Number of Books: 17 books, plus special editions
- Awards: Bestseller status on New York Times and Publishers Weekly lists
Grab Fairest of All and dive into Whatever After’s magical, laugh-out-loud world! Whether you’re a fairy-tale fan or just love a good adventure, Abby and Jonah’s escapades will keep you hooked.