The Land of Stories: The Ultimate Book Hugger's Guide

ALEX BAILEY

Alex is a young woman who is wise beyond her years. As a child, she had a thirst for knowledge and read every book she could get her hands on. Unfortunately, Alex was often teased at school for her intelligence, and it was difficult for her to make friends. She spent the majority of her early days feeling misunderstood and lonely.

However, all that changes during her adventures in the Land of Stories. Thanks to Alex’s cleverness, she and her brother, Conner, are able to save the fairy-tale world on many different occasions. Her wisdom is celebrated, and she grows from an underappreciated teacher’s pet to a confident world leader.

CONNER BAILEY

Conner is a creative and funny young man—and although he wouldn’t admit it, he has a very big heart. During his childhood, Conner struggled in school. He thought the classroom was a great place to take naps and practice new jokes, but he never thought it would help him put his imagination to good use.

After some encouragement from his teacher, Mrs. Peters, Conner begins writing short stories and discovers he has a knack for storytelling—and luckily, he discovers it just in time! Thanks to his imaginative writing, Conner and his sister are able to recruit an army of his characters and save both worlds from a sinister plot.

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

The Fairy Godmother is the Bailey twins’ grandmother and the leader of the fairy-tale world. She is known for her compassionate heart and powerful magic—everything from granting poor maidens’ wishes, to slaying fire-breathing dragons. The Fairy Godmother is the founder of the Happily Ever After Assembly, which peacefully unites the leaders of all the kingdoms and territories.

The Fairy Godmother was the first person from the Land of Stories to discover our world, and she named it the Otherworld. When she first arrived, the Otherworld was in a dark period of war and famine. By spreading the stories of the fairy-tale world into ours, she and the other fairies inspired several generations to be brave, to believe in themselves, and to be kind to one another, and introduced them to the joys of a “happily ever after.”

PRINCE CHARLIE “FROGGY” CHARMING

Froggy is the youngest prince in the Charming Dynasty and was cursed to look like a frog when he was a young man. Fearing that his family would never accept him, Froggy ran into the forest and lived in hiding for many years. It’s in the forest that Froggy first meets the Bailey twins, and if it wasn’t for his kindness, Alex and Conner would have never found their way home.

The Bailey twins become Froggy’s closest friends, and he is always eager to join their various quests to save the fairy-tale world. During their very first escapade, Froggy meets the future love of his life, Queen Red Riding Hood. After Queen Red loses her throne, the people of her kingdom elect Froggy as their new king. Even though Froggy has the opportunity to change back into a human, he decides his amphibian form suits him best.

QUEEN RED RIDING HOOD

People’s first impression of Queen Red Riding Hood is that she’s a selfish, misguided, materialistic, and naïve young woman—and she is—but beneath all the diamond necklaces is a heart of gold. She always means well but rarely knows what she means.

After her childhood encounter with the Big Bad Wolf, Red was elected queen of her own kingdom. She lived an extravagant and pampered lifestyle until meeting the Bailey twins—then Red is thrown into one life-threatening situation after another. But with every passing obstacle, more of Red’s selflessness, sensibility, and compassion shine through—or at least, that’s what she thinks.

GOLDILOCKS

Goldilocks is a strong and willful woman with unlimited courage. There is no opponent she can’t outsmart or outfight—which comes in handy during her adventures with the Bailey twins.

After her scandal with the Three Bears, Goldilocks was labeled a young vandal in her village. She ran away from home and has been a wanted fugitive ever since. However, we soon learn that Goldilocks was tricked into going to the home of the Three Bears and that her story isn’t what it seems.

JACK

After climbing a beanstalk and slaying a giant, Jack became famous throughout the kingdoms for his bravery. However, the bravest act of his life wasn’t slaying a giant, but following his heart. Jack decides to give up his heroic reputation and the chance to be Queen Red Riding Hood’s king to be with the woman he loves.

Jack and Goldilocks enjoy a life on the run and come out of hiding only when the twins need their help.

Eventually, Jack and Goldilocks are married and start a family. Their first child is a boy whom they strategically name Hero so that their son will always be the hero of his own story.

MOTHER GOOSE

Mother Goose is a sassy, flask-sipping, sharp-tongued old lady who’s infamous for starting trouble in every dimension she enters. While helping the Fairy Godmother spread fairy tales in the Otherworld, Mother Goose rubbed elbows with everyone from Leonardo da Vinci to Walt Disney. It’s even rumored that Mother Goose started the Italian Renaissance after throwing a killer party in Florence.

Despite all the drama she causes, Mother Goose knows how to have a good time. She teaches the Bailey twins that no matter how dangerous a situation may be, you can always walk away with a good story.

LESTER

Lester is a horse-sized gander and Mother Goose’s companion. She won his egg in a card game, and once he hatched and grew to his enormous size, he became her favorite mode of transportation. Sometimes when Mother Goose is away, Lester likes to dress up in her bonnets and fly around—which is why many people in the Otherworld believe Mother Goose is an overgrown goose herself.

TROLLBELLA

Trollbella has the mind of a ruthless dictator but the heart of a lovesick teenager—a very dangerous combination. After large rocks mysteriously fall on the Troll and Goblin Kings, Trollbella inherits the throne of their underground territory. She’s determined to bring class back to the troll and goblin species and forces her people to bathe and spend hours each day learning rigorous dance routines.

Trollbella has been in love with Conner since the moment she laid eyes on him. She lovingly refers to him as her Butterboy—which sends shivers down his spine every time she says it.

JOHN BAILEY

John Bailey was Alex and Conner’s father and the Fairy Godmother’s son. He was very passionate about fairy tales and raised the twins on the lessons and morals that the stories teach. Although it’s kept a complete secret from the twins at first, John was born and raised in the Land of Stories. It was always his dream to take his children to his home one day; unfortunately, he never got the chance. John passed away shortly before the twins’ eleventh birthday.

During their first visit to the fairy-tale world, the twins follow a journal that helps them collect items for the legendary Wishing Spell. Eventually they learn that their father wrote the journal, and therefore they get to experience the Land of Stories with him after all.

CHARLOTTE BAILEY

Charlotte is Alex and Conner’s mom and a nurse at the local children’s hospital. She is a wonderful and courageous mother and would do anything for her children. She works tirelessly to support her family following her husband’s death, but eventually she finds love again and marries Dr. Bob Gordon.

Sometimes hearing about her children’s magical adventures can be a little much for Charlotte, so the twins have to abbreviate the details to prevent her from panicking. Having such a capable son and daughter fills Charlotte with pride, but she enjoys it when they still need her from time to time.