I’m calling these supplemental books because they are fun extras that expand the world, but you don’t necessarily need to read them. They’re just fun, I mean you can’t tell a writer enjoys their world when they keep adding stuff to it. I get it.

1. Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive: Alright, this one gets a leg up over the others as it’s an actual novel. A graphic novel to be exact, detailing Goldilocks’ origin story as well as her fight against the forces threatening her home of naer-do-wells and criminals. She’s a one woman army, she’s Xena: Warrior Princess and it’s badass. Colfer’s usual deadpan humor and heart shine throughout, drawing parallels to our real world tensions about the justice system and one’s perception of self and redemption. It’s a rollicking tale and of course, gets top spot.
2. Red Riding Hood’s Guide to Royalty: Inspired by Machavalli’s The Prince, Queen Hood presents her own take on what it means to rule, dishing out advice like treating commoners like you would a pet, explaining the biggest flaws of villainous tyrants, and more. There’s nothing like it, and the oblivious arrogance, and underlying irony make it a treat to read.
3. The Mother Goose Diaries: The OG decides to clear off the cobwebs of memories (and drum up some cash) by releasing her diaries that go from childhood onward to the 21st century, and detail how Mother Goose changed history. Just as fun and fluffy as Red’s guide, Mother Goose highlights several famous figures and important rallies in episodic chapter format that makes it a breeze to read. Plus it has an impromptue, wacky interview with the author.
4. The Book Hugger’s Guide to the Land of Stories: Just as it says on the title, this is an encyclopedia of the Land of Stories from protagonists to villains to maps of the kingdoms, the full-color illustrations pop off the page. It features extra stories, and Colfer’s inspiration from childhood with original pages, illustration, cover designs, and more. It’s a fascinating behind the scenes look to the world. Like a Ken Burns’ doc, only much shorter.