Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Fairy Tales for Kids

Everyone in the family will fall in love with these classic fairy tale stories -- and modern versions of old-fashioned favorites. These kids' books are full of clever characters, solid messages, and enough magic to keep kids spellbound. And it's fun to compare the traditional tellings with the updated ones and talk about why the core story and characters continue to have meaning for generations. To find other engaging reads, check out these Top Picks lists: Fantasy Books for Kids and Funny Books for Kids.

Filter by:
A Bean, a Stalk and a Boy Named Jack Poster Image
BOOK

A Bean, a Stalk and a Boy Named Jack

age 3+

Funny, fractured version of "Jack and the Beanstalk."

By: William Joyce (2014)
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems Poster Image
BOOK

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems

age 3+

Silly dino twist on Goldilocks tale is roaring good fun.

By: Mo Willems (2012)
Redlocks and the Three Bears Poster Image
BOOK

Redlocks and the Three Bears

age 3+

Fun twist on favorite fairy tales for young readers.

By: Claudia Rueda (2021)
Beauty and the Beast Poster Image
BOOK

Beauty and the Beast

age 4+

Captivating art shapes West African-set fairy tale classic.

By: H. Chuka Lee (2014)
The Little Mermaid Poster Image
BOOK

The Little Mermaid

age 4+

Fresh fairy tale twist focuses on friendship, not romance.

By: Jerry Pinkney (2020)
Little Red Riding Hood Poster Image
BOOK

Little Red Riding Hood

age 4+

Captivating artwork makes classic wolf tale howl.

By: Jerry Pinkney (2007)
book cover of Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon
BOOK

Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon

age 4+

Classic tale gets fun update from a Chinese perspective.

The Mermaid Poster Image
BOOK

The Mermaid

age 4+

Delightful retelling of Goldilocks as undersea mermaid tale.

By: Jan Brett (2017)
Rapunzel Poster Image
BOOK

Rapunzel

age 4+

Retelling of classic brims with passion and grace.

By: Paul O. Zelinsky (1997)
cover of The Three Billy Goats Gruff
BOOK

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

age 4+

Great art and fun foodie details add to familiar folktale.

By: Mac Barnett (2022)
The Three Billy Goats Gruff Poster Image
BOOK

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

age 4+

Classic tale given new, thoughtful ending and exquisite art.

By: Jerry Pinkney (2017)
The Three Billy Goats Gruff -- The FULL Story Poster Image
BOOK

The Three Billy Goats Gruff -- The FULL Story

age 4+

Dynamic art, clever text make for fun update of classic.

By: Richard Jackson (2020)
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs Poster Image
BOOK

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

age 4+

Delightful story is a surefire attention-grabber.

By: Jon Scieszka (1996)
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales Poster Image
BOOK

Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales

age 4+

Fun, lauded read stays true to classics, axed wolf and all.

By: Lucy Cousins (2009)
Natalie Portman's Fables Poster Image
BOOK

Natalie Portman's Fables

age 5+

Familiar tales get a cute new spin in lively picture book.

By: Natalie Portman (2020)
Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe Series Poster Image
BOOK

Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe Series

age 5+

Irreverent twists on fairy tales keep new readers guessing.

By: Noah Z. Jones (2014)
Sylvia Long's Thumbelina Poster Image
BOOK

Sylvia Long's Thumbelina

age 5+

Exquisite watercolors bring magic to this classic story.

By: Sylvia Long (2010)
The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes Poster Image
BOOK

The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes

age 6+

Clever twist on classic tale adds dimension and great art.

Hansel & Gretel Poster Image
BOOK

Hansel & Gretel

age 7+

Retelling of familiar tale has exquisite art, rich prose.

By: Neil Gaiman (2014)
Cinderella Liberator Poster Image
BOOK

Cinderella Liberator

age 8+

Fresh take on classic tale boosts being true, free self.

By: Rebecca Solnit (2019)