Published in 2016, Tales of the Peculiar is Ransom Riggs doing something clever: he took the fictional storybook that appears throughout his Miss Peregrine series and made it real. In the novels, peculiar children (kids with supernatural abilities) read these tales as cautionary folklore about their own kind. Now it's an actual book you can buy, complete with eerie illustrations.

There are ten stories total, each exploring different aspects of what it means to be "peculiar"—a word Riggs uses to describe people with abilities that make them outcasts. The tales function like Aesop's Fables or fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, but with Riggs' signature gothic aesthetic and melancholy edge.

The stories range from "The Girl Who Could Tame Nightmares" to "The Splendid Cannibals" (yes, really) to "The First Ymbryne" (explaining the origins of the bird-women who protect peculiar children in the main series).

Technically yes, but it's kind of like watching Fantastic Beasts without reading Harry Potter—you'll get the gist, but miss the resonance.

If your kid hasn't read the series: The stories work as standalone dark fables. They're atmospheric, illustrated, and self-contained. Think of it as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark but less nightmare-inducing and more philosophical.

If your kid IS a Peregrine fan: This book hits different. They'll recognize the lore, understand why certain stories matter to the characters, and geek out over the world-building. It's like getting the Hogwarts textbooks after reading Harry Potter—not necessary, but deeply satisfying for fans.

Most kids who pick this up are already invested in the series. It's not marketed as a gateway book, and honestly, it shouldn't be. Start with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children if your kid hasn't read it yet.

The Miss Peregrine series became a phenomenon because Riggs nailed something specific: creepy vintage photographs paired with supernatural adventure. Every book features real vintage photos (think unsettling carnival performers, strange children in odd poses, creepy twins) that Riggs weaves into his story. It's like American Horror Story meets middle-grade fiction, but age-appropriate.

Kids who love this vibe tend to be:

The online fandom is still active, especially on TikTok and YouTube, where teens create aesthetic edits and discuss which peculiar ability they'd want. It's not Hunger Games-level huge anymore, but it has staying power with a specific audience.

Let me give you the vibe of a few stories so you know what you're dealing with:

"The Splendid Cannibals" - A tribe of people who eat their dead as a sign of love and respect get judged by outsiders who don't understand their culture. It's actually a story about tolerance and cultural misunderstanding, but yeah, the title is... a lot.

"The Girl Who Could Tame Nightmares" - A girl with the ability to eat bad dreams becomes addicted to them, showing how peculiar gifts can become curses. It's melancholy and poetic.

"The Fork-Tongued Princess" - A princess born with a forked tongue (and the ability to speak to animals) is hidden away by her ashamed parents, then saves the kingdom using her "deformity." Classic "your difference is your strength" messaging.

"The Pigeons of St. Paul's" - My personal favorite—a boy who can talk to pigeons uses them to save London during the Blitz. Historical fiction meets peculiar powers.

The stories are dark but not graphic. Characters die, bad things happen, and not every tale has a happy ending. This is folklore, not Disney. But there's no gore, no sexual content, and the violence is fairy-tale level (think original Grimm, not sanitized versions).

Ages 10-12: If they've read and loved the main series, they can handle this. The darkness is consistent with those books. If they haven't read Peregrine yet, maybe start there—this book is richer with context.

Ages 13-14: Sweet spot. Old enough to appreciate the literary craft (these are well-written fables with themes about prejudice, identity, and belonging) but still young enough to be enchanted by the illustrated format.

Ages 15+: Honestly, this skews younger. Teens who loved the series at 12 might enjoy it for nostalgia, but it's not going to blow away a high schooler who's moved on to Six of Crows or The Hunger Games.

Content considerations:

If your kid gets into this, they're likely headed to:

YouTube: Booktubers still review the Peregrine series, and there are read-alongs and discussions about Tales of the Peculiar specifically.

TikTok: The #MissPeregrinesHomeForPeculiarChildren tag has millions of views, with fans creating character aesthetics, peculiar ability rankings, and "which peculiar are you?" content. About 8% of kids in our community data use TikTok, and if your kid is in that 8%, they're probably seeing this content.

Discord: Only 4% of families in our data use Discord, but for kids who DO, there are active Peregrine fandom servers where they discuss theories, share fan art, and roleplay as peculiar characters. Learn more about Discord safety if this is on your radar.

Goodreads/StoryGraph: Older middle schoolers are increasingly using these platforms to track reading and find recommendations. Tales of the Peculiar has thousands of reviews and active discussion threads.

The fandom is generally wholesome—it's book nerds being book nerds, not toxic stan culture. But as always, if your kid is engaging with online communities, check in about who they're talking to and what they're sharing.

This is a "bridge" book. It's not essential to the main plot of the series, so if your kid doesn't connect with it, no big deal. Think of it as bonus content for superfans.

It's a quick read. The whole book is under 200 pages with illustrations. Most kids finish it in a sitting or two. Great for reluctant readers who loved the series but don't want to commit to another 400-page novel.

The illustrations matter. This isn't a book to get on Kindle. The physical book experience—with its vintage-style art and layout—is part of the appeal. If your kid is a digital-only reader, they'll miss something.

It's a conversation starter about folklore and storytelling. If your kid is into creative writing or world-building (hello, Minecraft and Roblox storytellers), this book shows how authors create in-universe mythology. Great for kids who want to write their own stories.

The themes are heavier than they seem. These tales tackle prejudice, fear of "the other," persecution, and what it costs to be different. If your kid is sensitive to those themes—or experiencing them in real life—it might hit hard. But for many kids, seeing those struggles reflected in fiction is validating.

Tales of the Peculiar is a love letter to fans of the Miss Peregrine series—a beautifully crafted bonus for kids who wanted more time in that gothic, peculiar world. It's not a must-read, but for the right kid (ages 10-14, loves dark fairy tales, already invested in the universe), it's a treasure.

If your kid hasn't read the main series yet and this sounds appealing, start with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. If they've already devoured those books and want more, this is a perfect companion.

And if they finish this and want similar vibes, check out Coraline by Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book, or A Series of Unfortunate Events—all hit that sweet spot of dark-but-not-too-dark storytelling.

✅ If your kid is curious: Check your library first—this is a popular title and usually available
✅ If they're already fans: This makes a great gift or reward book (it's short and satisfying)
✅ If they want to discuss it: Ask which tale was their favorite and why—great dinner conversation
✅ If they're inspired to write: Encourage them to create their own "peculiar" fable using the same structure

Ask our chatbot about other dark fairy tale books for kids or explore more gothic middle-grade fiction.