ONCE UPON A FAIRER TIME is a collection of twelve re-imagined fairy tales presented in poetic form. Each story revisits a well-known narrative – Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and others – offering an alternative perspective. Emphasis is given to ethical reflection, character development, and emotional nuances. The poems vary in structure, tone, rhythm and flow, incorporating elements of rhyme, free verse, and lyrical phrasing. While maintaining recognisable settings and characters, the tales adjust key details to explore themes of justice, empathy, kindness, and personal agency. Trajectories change for a fairer outcome, often with injections of humour, irony and surprise. Designed to appeal to both adult and younger readers, the collection balances traditional storytelling with modern sensibilities. It is suitable for individual reading or performance aloud. Author notes accompany each piece, offering context for reinterpretation and insight into the underlying moral considerations. The book is illustrated throughout with original artwork created in parallel with the text.