Happily Never After...

Special Collections Showcase
5th October, 2026 - 22nd November, 2026
Level 7, UTS Library

Creepy little cautionary tales have wormed their way out of the UTS Library Special Collections...

When essays, readings and serious words have worn you out, step out of your studies and into the story. Words and illustrations from historic fairy tales have slipped free of their pages and into your hands, bringing with them magic, mischief and unexpected consequences.

Create a cautionary tale

Rearrange stray words from the collection as curiosity dictates. Compose a tale of talking beasts, improbable virtues, ill-advised adventures and adults exercising remarkably little supervision, then add it to the wall where old stories become new folklore.

Bring the stories to life

Take up a texta, apply colour most liberally and add your own creative touches to peculiar characters and curious worlds from historic pages.

Drop in for a playful study break on Level 7, with satellite activities throughout the Library... if you dare.

 

The books behind Happily Never After...

The books gathered here are held in the UTS Library Special Collections. They preserve more than old stories. Their language, illustrations and design reveal how ideas about childhood, imagination and good behaviour have changed over time.

You can view and download the books in full through the UTS Library collection on the Internet Archive for reading, research and further exploration.