Book cover: The Fairy Tales of Jim Henson — Keeping the best place by the fire, by Andrea Wright. Jim Henson leans over an open folder beside a puppet of a white-haired storyteller in a red waistcoat, both lit against a painted backdrop.

Out now from Manchester University Press

The Fairy Tales of Jim Henson

Keeping the best place by the fire

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This is the first book to specifically consider Henson, best known for the immensely popular The Muppet Show, as an important creator of screen fairy tales.

In a chronological overview of Henson's career from the 1950s to his death in 1990, and incorporating his ongoing legacy, it explores key themes, artistic practices and innovations that make his contributions to the genre unique.

Drawing upon a range of fairy tale scholarship, it also situates Henson's work within the wider context of the genre, specifically its conventions, themes and inherent intertextuality.

Read and listen

Two ways into the argument, both free.

Essay Why Jim Henson should be recognised as one of the foremost creators of fairytales on screen Andrea Wright · The Conversation · November 2025

Andrea also talks to Fabulous Folklore Presents about the fairy tale film as a concept, Henson's career in film and television, and the shape of his legacy.

Jim Henson and the Fairy Tale Film with Dr Andrea Wright Fabulous Folklore Presents · 59 min · watch on YouTube

About the author

Dr Andrea Wright is a Senior Lecturer in Teaching and Learning Development within the Centre for Learning and Teaching at Edge Hill University, United Kingdom.

Her PhD focussed on 1980s screen fairy tales, and she has published work on fantasy and fairy tale films, New Zealand cinema, and British television costume dramas.

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