Into the Goblin Market - by Vikki Vansickle (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An ode to Christina Rossetti's classic poem and [an] homage to familiar fairy tale villains, this story of two sisters will enthrall readers with its ... detailed art and enchanting writing"--

Book Synopsis

A picture book ode to Christina Rossetti's classic poem and a clever homage to familiar fairy-tale villains, this story about two sisters will enthrall readers with its beautifully detailed art and enchanting writing.

Millie loves her quiet life on the farm, but Mina longs for adventure.

When the Goblin Market comes to town, Millie knows it's a bad idea. They've been told stories their whole lives about the dangers of the Goblin Market. But Mina just can't resist . . .

When Mina doesn't come back, it's Millie's turn to brave the market to bring her home. She will use all her smarts and all her courage to try to outwit the goblins and save her sister . . . but will it be enough?

This gorgeous and intriguing tribute to both "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti and classic fairy-tale villains is also a story about the bond between sisters and a celebration of courage, intelligence and resilience.

Review Quotes

A CBC Books Bestseller
One of New York Public Library's 100 Best Kids Books
One of Quill & Quire's Favourite Young Readers Titles of 2024
A 2024 Kids' Indie Next Pick
A Starred Selection of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring 2025
A 2025 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
A Los Angeles Public Library Best Children's Book of 2024

PRAISE FOR Into the Goblin Market

"[A] bravura picture book . . . With its righteous turning of tables courtesy of Millie's quick thinking, Into the Goblin Market, which was inspired by the like-themed Christina Rossetti poem, earns a spot in the contemporary fairy-tale pantheon. . . . Eckwall's black-and-white art, which has the look of elaborate woodcuts, hosts a cauldron's worth of classic fairy-tale allusions. Readers can spot a piper, a witch with a (presumably) poisoned apple, and, in one of the book's occasional blasts of color, rescue-mode Millie in a red hood, conjuring another red-cloaked hero of the fairy-tale world." --STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness

"A tribute to the work of Victorian poet Christina Rosetti, Into the Goblin Market is a delicious treat for those yearning for a bit of frightful adventure." --STARRED REVIEW, BookPage

"A gratifying, happy-ever-after tale of symbiotic sororal cleverness." --Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful blend of classic aesthetics and modern sensibilities with a marvelous message of courage and love. . . . [A] bewitching book." --Booklist

"Into the Goblin Market stands out all on its own. Two sisters, Mina and Millie, use the strength of their unbreakable bond when Mina disappears, perhaps to be consumed by malign forces. Millie, confronting the supernatural terrors of classic fairy tales with an undertone of Rosetti's feminist poem, rescues her beloved sibling and they return home. The poetry is hypnotic, the pictures are stunning, and the sisters are undefeated through their love." --Imaginary Elevators

"This is a deliciously spooky story inspired by Christina Rossetti's poem, 'The Goblin Market, ' and classic fairy tales. It is perfectly matched with black and red block print-type illustrations. This will be a delight to read with children!" --American Booksellers Association

"Into the Goblin Market is a true rhyming fairytale that will appeal to many readers, especially those looking for a story with a strong focus on the power of sisterhood." --Young Adulting

"This is a deliciously spooky story inspired by Christina Rossetti's poem 'The Goblin Market' and classic fairy tales. It is perfectly matched with black and red block print-type illustrations. This will be a delight to read with children!" --Vicky Titcomb, Titcomb's Bookshop, East Sandwich, MA

About the Author

VIKKI VANSICKLE is the author of a number of acclaimed novels for children including Words That Start With B; Summer Days, Starry Nights; the award-winning The Winnowing; and picture books If I Had a Gryphon; Teddy Bear of the Year; and Anonymouse. Vikki started her career as an independent bookseller and worked in children's publishing for twelve years. In addition to writing, she curates and presents regular book segments for CTV Your Morning. Currently, she lives and writes in Toronto.

JENSINE ECKWALL is an illustrator whose clients include BUST Magazine, BOOM! Studios/Adventure Time, Boston Globe, Lucky Peach, New York Times and Nylon. She has illustrated middle-grade and adult novels, and children's books such as Almost a Full Moon by Hawksley Workman.