Fairy Tales for Kids and Teens

Last updated: June 17, 2026

Everyone in the family will fall in love with these classic and modern fairy tale stories—and retellings of old-fashioned favorites. These books are full of clever characters, solid messages, and enough magic to keep readers 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.

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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."

William Joyce Picture Book (2014)

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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.

Mo Willems Picture Book (2012)

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Redlocks and the Three Bears Poster Image

BOOK

Redlocks and the Three Bears

age 3+

Fun twist on favorite fairy tales for young readers.

Claudia Rueda Picture Book (2021)

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Beauty and the Beast Poster Image

BOOK

Beauty and the Beast

age 4+

Captivating art shapes West African-set fairy tale classic.

H. Chuka Lee Fairy Tale (2014)

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Little Red Riding Hood Poster Image

BOOK

Little Red Riding Hood

age 4+

Captivating artwork makes classic wolf tale howl.

Jerry Pinkney Fairy Tale (2007)

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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.

Ying Chang Compestine Picture Book (2022)

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Rapunzel Poster Image

BOOK

Rapunzel

age 4+

Retelling of classic brims with passion and grace.

Paul O. Zelinsky Fairy Tale (1997)

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Rumpelstiltskin book cover: Young woman with dark brown hair sits by spinning wheel and giant pile of straw as little, bearded man stands on top of it

BOOK

Rumpelstiltskin

age 4+

Classic fairy tale gets witty update for a new generation.

Mac Barnett Fairy Tale (2026)

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Spider in the Well book cover: Big black spider stands atop a well with a boy peering into the frame, looking at the reader

BOOK

Spider in the Well

age 4+

Funny tale filled with greed, blackmail, a talking spider.

Jess Hannigan Picture Book (2024)

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The Little Mermaid Poster Image

BOOK

The Little Mermaid

age 4+

Fresh fairy tale twist focuses on friendship, not romance.

Jerry Pinkney Picture Book (2020)

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The Mermaid Poster Image

BOOK

The Mermaid

age 4+

Delightful retelling of Goldilocks as undersea mermaid tale.

Jan Brett Picture Book (2017)

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The Sweetest of Lemons book cover: Brown-skinned boy in purple Persian hat looks at lemon in his hands, framed by lemon tree, goats and a princess

BOOK

The Sweetest of Lemons

age 4+

Magical folktale connects an Iranian boy to his culture.

Daniel Nayeri Picture Book (2026)

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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.

Mac Barnett Picture Book (2022)

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The Three Billy Goats Gruff Poster Image

BOOK

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

age 4+

Classic tale given new, thoughtful ending and exquisite art.

Jerry Pinkney Picture Book (2017)

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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.

Richard Jackson Picture Book (2020)

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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.

Jon Scieszka Fairy Tale (1996)

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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.

Lucy Cousins Fairy Tale (2009)

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Alice in a Winter Wonderland book cover: Alaskan animals and visual references to the original book surround black-haired girl

BOOK

Alice in a Winter Wonderland

age 5+

Alaska-set, wildly fun remake of a beloved English fantasy.

Jan Brett Picture Book (2024)

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Natalie Portman's Fables Poster Image

BOOK

Natalie Portman's Fables

age 5+

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

Natalie Portman Picture Book (2020)

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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.

Noah Z. Jones For Beginning Readers (2014)

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