Fairy tales have occupied the space of childrens’ go-to picture books for decades. Many of the stories have been re-written to adapt for the modern age kids. Here is a mix of classic and alternative fairy tale picture books for kids. The list represents a wide selection of choices. Choose multicultural fairy tales for an elementary classroom read-aloud. Fractured fairy-tales picture books engage beginner readers with a fun alternative to a classic story. Dive into the fairyland with these beautiful picture books for kids!
Also Read: More Fantasy picture books
25 Best Fairy Tale Picture Books For Modern Kids
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Here is a recommended list of fairy tale picture books for Kids. The books are a mix of classic and adapted stories from the old era.
1. Peter Pan
Open the picture book and watch kids’ favorite fairy tale character Peter Pan fly. This paper design marvel by Robert Sabuda is sure to delight young readers. All the fairy tale characters come alive with the turn of pages. Look at the mesmerizing ariel view of London city underneath the floating cloud. A must-have fairy tale book for kids. (Ages 3-8 years)
2. An Illustrated Treasury of Grimm’s Fairy Tales
An Illustrated Treasury of Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a collection of favorite Grimm’s stories. The Princess and the Frog, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin – all the childhood favorites in one place. The tales are well written and fun to read. The illustrations by Daniela Drescher are sure to fire the imagination of young minds. (Ages 5-10 years)
3. Prince Cinders
Prince Cinders is a funny fairy tale retold for kids. Read the story of Prince Cinders and his arrogant brothers. It is a silly, hilarious adaptation of the classic Cinderella story. The story ends on a happy note. A funny read-aloud for both boys and girls. (Ages 4-8 years)
4. Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel is a multicultural picture book of the popular Grimm’s fairy tale. The story is set in an African forest. The region is beautifully portrayed in this colorful book. This version can be used for a comparison study with the traditional story for elementary kids. (Ages 6-8 years)
5. Pretty Salma: A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa
Pretty Salma is a creative re-telling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale. In a colorful African land, Granny warns little Salma about strangers. But Salma does not listen. Read how a cunning Mr. Dog tricks the small child. With a modern twist, the small girl does not wait to be rescued, instead goes and gets help. Use this multicultural book for a classroom reading. (Ages 4-7 years)
6. The Paper Bag Princess
The Paper Bag Princess is a book of a classic fairy tale with girl power. This princess does not need to be saved. When a dragon captures Prince Ronald, Princess Elizabeth fights to save her fiancé. Empower your 1st-2nd graders with this old story. (Ages 4-7 years)
7. A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale
A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale is a fractured fairy tale about an aspiring chef, William. Read the creative mash-up of Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella. William is a misfit in the fairy-land. So when he gets a chance to impress the fairytale headquarter, he grabs it. Read how he mistakenly cooks up the wrong ingredients. Will it change the ending of the fairy tales? The illustrations are engaging. The twisted plot is full of surprises. (Ages 3-7 years)
8. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland features stories of the original Lewis Carroll version. The spectacular picture book leaves one speechless! Each page has a pop-up and mini fold-out pages with more popups. The illustrations by Robert Sabuda are absolutely grand. (Ages 4-8 years)
9. The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess
The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess is a fairy tale about siblings. King and queen are blessed with a wooden robot and enchanted log princess as kids. One night the log princess gets missing. Read the charming story about the siblings help each other to get home. This classic story never gets old. (Ages 4-8 years)
10. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is an award-winning adaptation of the popular Cinderella story. Read the story of an African man Mufaro who has two daughters – one kind, the other one selfish. The king is looking for a wife. What happens when both the daughters compete for the same place. The story is also inspired by an African folktale. The illustrations are powerful. (Ages 4-8 years)
11. The Random House Book of Fairy Tales
The Random House Book of Fairy Tales is a collection of 19 classic fairy tales. The stories are well narrated. The illustrations by Diane Goode are utterly gorgeous. (Ages 4-8 years)
12. The Fairy Godmother Helps the Monarchs
The Fairy Godmother Helps the Monarchs takes young kids to the fairyland. A young girl lives next door to a fairy godmother. When the child’s friends visit, the godmother invites all the kids to her beautiful garden. Children find a butterfly garden needing tending and help. They also learn more about butterflies in the process. The lovely story connects children with nature. (Ages 4-8 years)
13. Cinderella: A Pop-Up Fairy Tale
Cinderella: A Pop-Up Fairy Tale by Matthew Reinhart is magnificent work of art. Open the pages and watch a pumpkin turn into a magnificent coach, a rat into a coachman, and Cinderella into a beautiful princess. The book is intricate and detailed. (Ages 4-8 years)
14. The Town Musicians of Bremen
The Town Musicians of Bremen is a classic tale in a beautiful book for young readers. Read how four animal friends found a new home. Kindergarteners will find the read-aloud funny. Make all the different animal sounds as you read along with kids. The illustrations are large and detailed. (Ages 4-7 years)
15. The Korean Cinderella
The Korean Cinderella is a multicultural fairy tale. The story is set in Korean culture. Read about charming Pear Blossom and her cruel stepmother. The elements of the tale remain the same – with lost a glass shoe and happily ever after. The book has elements of many popular Korean folktales thrown in. A picture book for kindergarten and above to learn more about Korea. (Ages 4-8 years)
16. Move On Up That Beanstalk, Jack!
Get a lesson in science with your favorite childhood fairy tale in Move On Up That Beanstalk, Jack! Children will learn about force, gravity, and a few other things. Compliment your 3rd grader’s science learning with this modern retelling of an old classic. (Ages 5-8 years)
17. Color Your Own Great Fairy Tale
Color Your Own Great Fairy Tale is for fairy tale lovers. Kids can color their favorite fairy tale pictures of princes, princesses, giants, evil queens, etc. The illustrations are clear and detailed. A cute book, children are sure to love. (Ages 6-11 years)
18. The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairy Tale
The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairy Tale by Anne Lambelet. Imagine what would happen if snow white passes down the poisoned apple and by change of hands it ends up with the evil queen! Read this fractured version of this popular story to find out. The narration is clever, funny. And engaging fairytale picture book for early elementary kids. (Ages 4-8 years)
19. Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella
Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella is a smart adaptation of a children’s fairy tale. Bigfoot prince is searching for his princess. Whoever can roll the prince off a log and into the river will become his bride. Can the ugly and smelly Rrrrrella do this! There are the usual horrible stepmother and mean sisters. And instead of a fairy godmother, Rrrrrella has a “Beary Godfather”. A hilarious story for beginner readers.
20. Beauty & the Beast
Beauty & the Beast is a pop-up masterpiece of everyone’s favorite childhood fairy tale. Kids will be amazed looking at the magnificent life-size beast, beautiful castle popping up in the middle. The story captures the essence of original writing(not the Disney version) and classic illustrations. A great way to make your early reader practice reading. Also, check out another pop-up masterpiece The Dragon & the Knight by Robert Sabuda. (Ages 3-7)
21. Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time teaches kids how to write fairy tales. Starting with setting characters, plotline, tools needed- everything is covered in great detail. 2nd and 3rd graders can use the book to start writing their own stories. (Ages 7-9 years)
22. The Twelve Dancing Princesses
The Twelve Dancing Princesses teaches the kids that not all fairy tale princesses look the same. Some come with brown skin color, colorful gowns, and braids. This picture book is from popular Caldecott award-winning illustrator Rachel Isadora. A popular fairy tale retold. The book scores high on diversity with bright pictures. (Ages 5-8 years)
23. Trust Me, Hansel and Gretel Are Sweet!
Trust Me, Hansel and Gretel Are Sweet! is the fairytale retold from the point of the witch. It is a great book to teach kids that there are always multiple sides to a story. The narration is hilariously funny. Pictures complement the story well. (Ages 4-8 years)
24. Twinderella, A Fractioned Fairy Tale
Did you know that Cinderella had a twin sister Twinderella? A fairy tale story of twice the magic, fun, and double the laughter. Interesting mathematics concepts are blended throughout the reading. The story rhymes fluently. The ending is clever. A great adaptation of a children’s fairy tale. (Ages 4-8 years)
25. Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!
Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten! Read the spin of the little red riding hood story told from the wolf’s perspective. Was the wolf really bad or just wanted to eat a few apples? The narration is great with a cute story of a young girl, who is just a bit annoying. Children who know the original story will enjoy the adapted version more. (Ages 4-8 years)
