A parent might reach for this book when their imaginative child, who loves classic fairy tales, is ready for something a bit darker and more complex. Tales of the Peculiar is a collection of fables and myths from the world of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. These are not your typical happily-ever-after stories. Instead, they are strange, sometimes macabre tales about children with unusual abilities who navigate a world that doesn't understand them. The stories explore themes of loneliness, acceptance, courage, and the idea that what makes you different also makes you special. It's an excellent choice for fans of the main series or any young reader who appreciates gothic fantasy and morally nuanced folklore.
Many stories deal with themes of loneliness, being an outcast, and bittersweet endings.
Character DeathMild
Deaths occur, often as part of the moral or plot, in a fairy-tale context.
Sensitive Topics
The book handles dark themes metaphorically, in the style of classic Grimm's fairy tales. Topics include death, ostracism, and violence (people being eaten, characters fighting). The approach is secular and fantastical. Resolutions are often bittersweet or serve as cautionary tales rather than being purely hopeful. There's a strong emphasis on accepting one's "peculiarities" as strengths.
Ideal Reader
A mature 10 to 14 year old who is a fan of the Miss Peregrine series. Also, a reader who has outgrown standard fairy tales and is drawn to the work of Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton. This is for the child who appreciates beautiful, slightly spooky aesthetics and stories that don't offer easy answers.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that these are not lighthearted tales. "The Splendid Cannibals" involves people-eating (though it's framed as a moral choice), and other stories feature dark transformations and character deaths. Previewing "The Fork-Tongued Princess" or "The Girl Who Could Tame Nightmares" can give a good sense of the tone. It can be read cold, especially by fans of the series. The parent notices their child is drawn to gothic or spooky stories but wants something with more literary substance than simple horror. Or, the child has just finished the main Miss Peregrine series and is hungry for more from that world.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-12) will likely focus on the magic, the strange abilities, and the plot of each tale as a spooky adventure. An older reader (13-16) is more likely to pick up on the allegorical nature of the stories, the commentary on social exclusion, and the sophisticated, melancholic tone. They will see the deeper connections to the main series' lore.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most fantasy companion books which are simple encyclopedias, this is a fully realized work of in-universe fiction. The writing mimics the style of classic folklore, giving it a timeless, authentic feel that genuinely enriches the main series. Its uniqueness lies in being a book *from* the fantasy world, not just *about* it.
Read plot summary
This is a collection of ten folklore-style short stories set within the Miss Peregrine's universe. Each tale functions as a myth or cautionary tale for peculiar children, explaining the origins of certain peculiar traits or historical events (like the creation of hollowgasts). Stories include "The Splendid Cannibals," about peculiar cannibals who find a moral way to live, "The Fork-Tongued Princess," and "The Woman Who Befriended Ghosts."
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In 'The Splendid Cannibals,' the cannibals choose to eat only the discarded parts of peculiar people. Does this make their actions right, wrong, or somewhere in between? Why?
2
The fork-tongued princess is celebrated for her peculiarity at the end of her story. How is this different from how many other peculiars in the book are treated? What do you think the author is trying to say about embracing what makes us different?
3
Millard Nullings, the supposed editor, adds footnotes to each story. How did his notes change your understanding or enjoyment of the tales?
4
Which of the ten tales was your favorite, and why? Which peculiar ability from the book would you most (or least) want to have?
