The Spiderwick Chronicles

Story

When the Grace siblings move to the rundown Spiderwick Estate, they discover ‘Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You’ and with it, the sometimes dangerous world of fairies that exists behind closed doors.

Why we chose it

A fantasy inspired by traditional folk tales and myths with a whole host of dangerous magical characters and fast paced plots full of twists, turns and cliffhangers.

Where it came from

Tony DiTerlizzi (1969-) is not only a children’s author but a film producer. As an American fantasy artist, he is influenced by various artists from Leonardo Da Vinci to Dr. Seuss. Holly Black (1971-), his co-author, is both a writer and an editor, and has also won the Newbery Medal for her own book Doll Bones. Both authors are fans of the work of the Brothers Grimm, and their work both together and separately has been influenced by fairytales and mythical lore.

Where it went next

The Spiderwick Chronicles has been translated into 30 different languages, and was adapted into a film in 2008, DiTerlizzi and Black acted as executive producers. It was also adapted into a game, and the writing pair went on to write Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles (2007-9) based in the same world, as well as creating Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You in 2005.

Associated stories

DiTerlizzi has also worked in the fantasy game world and is known for his work on Dungeons and Dragons. Black has written book series for both young adult and middle age readers and contributed to graphic novels and comics. Her Magisterium series written with Cassandra Clare is aimed at middle grade readers while her young adult fantasy novels include Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and The Darkest Part of the Forest