Zao’s Tales is not just an ordinary collection of fairy tales, as Carey, Ella, and Lili are soon to find out. What starts as a normal afternoon read-aloud with their mother spirals into a grand adventure when they unintentionally release an evil villain into the world. 

As their story unfolds, they will make new friends, face difficult challenges and choices, and in the end be forced to answer the biggest question of all: Can they send the enemy back to her own world?

A thrilling family quest where the magical meets the everyday, Zao’s Tales is brimming with adventure and heart, and will capture the imaginations of young readers with its wonder and warmth. 

—Glenn McCarty Author, Tumbleweed Thompson

John Neiner had the pleasure to design Zao’s Tales for his dear friend and kindred spirit, author and missionary, J.A. Sommer. Zao’s Tales was a successful Kickstarter project—thanks to the support of 298 backers—launched by Bandersnatch Books. As part of this project, Neiner Creative was privileged to design the cover for hardbound and softbound editions, design the end sheets, draw custom drop caps for chapter opening pages, illustrate the story, as well as typeset the book. A companion book titled The Blue Book of Tales was also designed by Neiner Creative as part of the stretch goals for the Kickstarter campaign.

Artwork from Zao’s Tales published by Bandersnatch Books, LLC.