inside: Fairy tale books, and the ever-popular Fractured Fairy Tale, make great read-alouds with your kids. and they also have many notable benefits. Check out some of our favorites below!
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Fairy tale books and fractured fairy tales are better than ever!
You’ve read them hundreds of times. Maybe more. little Red Riding Hood. goldilocks. the three little pigs.
Cinderella.
I mean, nowadays, do we really want to teach our daughters that they need a prince to rescue them? many fairy tales seem to convey messages that we are not always eager to share with our children. so why read them? Do fairy tales still have a place in our modern lives?
yes! without a doubt.
fairy tale books have a wide variety of benefits for children.
Traditional fairy tales teach our children a lot about the world, our emotions, and even how to deal with problems and challenges safely. child psychologist sally goddard blythe puts it perfectly:
“Fairy tales are important not because they show children what life is like, but because they shape deep fears and dreams about life through fantasy,” says goddard blythe.
goddard blythe goes on to say that fairy tales are clearly not from the real world, and therefore offer children a safe haven in which to explore big emotions and challenging situations. why? because children recognize that the worlds of fairy tales are different from their own. however, even though fairy tale worlds and characters may be unfamiliar, the emotions fairy tale characters face are often real.
When princes and princesses, witches, and anthropomorphic animals experience fear, sadness, excitement, or anger, children learn valuable life lessons by learning not only how to understand these feelings, but also how to respond to them. .
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Also, fairy tale books that explore good versus evil help provide certainty for children who may be feeling some anxiety.
Even when a “good” character experiences setbacks or difficulties, children take heart in the fact that a character is on the right track because of their honesty or strong moral compass. This understanding is extraordinarily valuable to children, especially as it teaches that bad and harmful behavior has consequences.
but what about those wicked wicked witches? I don’t want to scare my kids!
Let’s be honest. some of these fairy tales are downright terrifying! but you know what? this is not really a bad thing.
Trying to pretend that there is no evil in the world does not always protect our children. it may be best to introduce this notion through made-up stories, such as fairy tale books, which give children a safe haven in which to explore and begin to understand that the world is not always easy or fair. fairy tales reflect this fact in a way that little ones will understand. and when the “good” characters prevail at the end of fairy tales, despite the evil, the importance of goodness, integrity, and morality is greatly rewarded. that’s a beautiful thing for little kids to watch.
In a nutshell: Fairy tale books teach children to deal with basic human conflicts, emotions and challenges in a safe and healthy way.
fairy tale books teach children the elements of the story.
Which of my favorite benefits of reading fairy tale books to children?
They are the most perfect tools to teach children the elements of the story!
From rich settings to even richer characterizations, from clear beginnings, middles, and endings to understanding the important distinctions between fiction and nonfiction, fairy tales provide much material for teaching children these critical skills. understanding how a story “works” is essential when it comes to reading comprehension.
don’t forget fractured fairy tales!
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And let’s not forget the fractured fairy tales, because once your kids know the classics, these spin-offs are so much fun!
Fractured fairy tales are rewritten fairy tales that take classic fairy tale stories and turn them on their heads. are modifications of the original stories, exchanging particular components such as characters or settings for new elements that are totally different and sometimes totally strange. the stories are still recognizable, but funny, and often absurd! — turns.
Whether you experiment with point of view (ie, telling the story of Little Red Riding Hood through the eyes of the wolf), place the story in a modern or unique setting (ie, telling stories like Cinderella and the sleeping beauty in a galaxy far, far away), swapping characters (substituting goldilocks bears for dinosaurs), or, my personal favorite, turning damsels in distress into powerful heroines, these stories often laugh out loud fun, they are great read alouds and allow kids to create their own twists on their favorite stories.
so what are you waiting for? Both fairy tale books and fractured fairy tales are very beneficial to read to young children, and here we have a large number of them for you. grab some of these books and start reading.
classic fairy tales for younger readers
little red riding hood, by candice ransom and illustrated by tammie lyon: little red riding hood travels through the woods to bring her grandmother a basket of goodies. On the way, she meets a wolf and tells him that she is going to her grandmother’s house. the wolf arrives before the girl at her destination, she quickly changes into granny’s clothes…and meets little red upon her arrival. you know the rest! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
mei matsuoka’s three little pigs: what happens when three little pigs build houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks? will any of them be able to resist the big bad wolf? Your kids will love this classic fairy tale and will want to huff, puff and knock down everything around them! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
goldilocks and the three bears by james marshall: sometimes following our nose to the scent of something delicious can get us into a little trouble! Goldilocks can’t resist a delicious smell, and she lets her curiosity get the best of her when that smell leads her to a small cabin. she walks away from her? no, instead she lets herself in and that’s when the trouble starts. she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Anderson and Illustrated by Jana Christy: This is the story of a prince in search of his true princess and all the women he meets while trying to find a suitable wife. however, something is wrong with all these women, and it is difficult to determine if they are true princesses! But when a young woman arrives at the palace one night, drenched in rain and seeking shelter, the queen has a trick up her sleeve to determine if this woman is the one her prince has been waiting for. For a magical retelling of The Princess and the Pea set in Africa, be sure to check out Rachel Isadora’s The Princess and the Pea. while not necessarily the “classic” tale, it’s my favorite by far! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fairy tale books: beautifully illustrated classic fairy tales
the ugly duckling, by hans christian anderson and illustrated by jerry pinkney: this is the journey of a duckling who is the homeliest bird in the barnyard. the other animals tease him repeatedly, and one day he gets fed up… so he runs away. while on his journey, the ugly duckling finds his own sense of self and strength, eventually blossoming into an elegant and magnificent swan. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Cinderella by Marcia Brown: Cinderella is more beautiful than her wicked stepsisters, but her wicked stepmother forces her to lead a life of nothing but housework. Oh, how she longs to go to the prince’s ball! her stepsisters make fun of her and tell her they would just laugh at her in her rags. However, with the arrival of her fairy godmother, one who can turn pumpkins into golden carriages and rags into riches, Cinderella’s dreams may come true after all! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
beauty and the beast, by robert sabuda – if you love popups and you love beauty and the beast, don’t walk, run to the bookstore (or just click the link here!) to see this dazzling and intricate version of the tale we all know and love. With gorgeous beast pop-ups, a foreboding castle, and a gorgeous rose garden, you’ll fall in love with this exquisite take on the classic fairy tale. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
rapunzel, by the brothers grimm and illustrated/adapted by paul o. Zelinsky: This beautiful Rapunzel narrative leaves readers breathless and enthralled. why? because when you pick up this beautiful book, you are in the hands of a master storyteller who captivates you from the first page. Your children will gasp when they take Rapunzel away, delight in her beautiful mane, and rejoice when she is reunited with her prince. what more could you ask for in a fairy tale? support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
hansel and gretel, from hollie hobbie: “who dares to nibble my delicious house?” When a lumberjack and his mischievous wife abandon Hansel and Gretel in the woods, the children are frightened and desperate. until, that is, they come across a house made of candy! but, oh, oh, the owner of the house is not as kind as he seems. Will Gretel be able to save herself and her brother from the hungry witch? she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
our favorite fractured fairy tale!
Endless Forever: Choose Your Path to Countless Fairy Tale Endings, by Laurel Snyder and Illustrated by Dan Santat: This book deserves its own section because it is everything a good book should be. why? because it takes classic fairy tales and allows you, the reader, to choose your own perfect ending. when little red (also known as “rosie”) wakes up in the morning and has to go to grandma’s house, what coat will you take? When you walk down the path in your fur, you notice a house you’ve never seen before, and it’s not Grandma’s. should you play? Snyder and Santat offer readers the opportunity to change their favorite fairy tales over and over again, with creative plot twists, new characters, and most importantly, autonomy! We love the way this book gives readers the power to choose, an essential concept for young readers. Even better? it’s a great tool for illustrating how stories are told and how they progress from start to finish. This is not to be missed, folks! It will become a classic, I have no doubt! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fragmented fairy tales based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears
goldilocks and the three dinosaurs, retold by mo willems: this fractured fairy tale is hilarious, and if your kids know the original story of goldilocks and the three bears, they’ll love this brilliant narrative about dad dinosaur, dinosaur mom. …and another dinosaur that happened to be visiting from Norway. LOL!! One day, the three dinosaurs decided to tidy up their house and make chocolate pudding. definitely, definitely not, they were trying to set a trap for an unsuspecting girl. or was it them? support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Redilocks and the Three Bears, by Claudia Rueda: What happens when Goldilocks meets Little Red Riding Hood? Lots of laughs as a result of this fantastic mashup, of course! In this hilarious fractured fairy tale, the three bears answer a knock on their door only to discover a stranger – from a different fairy tale! Does little red fit in the house of the three bears? Is the big bad wolf as big and bad as we think he is? I love the way this combination of familiar stories encourages us to think big, be creative, and discover how beloved characters from classic fairy tales will behave in different situations. this is so much fun! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
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goldy luck and the three pandas by natasha yim and illustrated by grace zong: it’s chinese new year! and goldy’s mom wants him to bring a plate of turnip cakes to her neighbors, the chans. but when goldy arrives, the door is open and no one is home. undeterred, goldy walks in and finds three bowls of rice soup, and then has a bite to eat! then he decides that he needs a break… and finds himself with one disaster after another. Will goldy find a way to get the new year off to a lucky start? he supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Goldilocks and the Bear Alone by Leigh Hodgkinson: Goldilocks and the Bear Reunited? This version of the traditional tale of Goldilocks is adorable and depicts what happens when Baby Bear finds himself in Goldilocks’s apartment years after her initial “incident.” only goldilocks isn’t a girl anymore…she’s a mommy, with a kid of her own! What will happen to her when she finds a teddy bear sleeping in goldilocks’ daughter’s bed? Will the two old “friends” remember their younger days? support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fragmented fairy tales based on little red riding hood
Little Red by Bethan Woollvin: Little Red is one tough cookie, in this fierce adaptation featuring a strong little girl. In this story, little red shows no fear and is not easily fooled by the wolf. instead, this girl takes matters into her own hands, saving herself and Grandma from her world. who needs the old woodcutter anyway? he supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
federico y el lobo, by rebecca gomez and illustrated by elisa chavarri: here we love fragmented fairy tales; Not only are they great fun to read for children who are already familiar with traditional fairy tales, but they always feature clever and cunning characters who show great courage and creativity to outwit their evil opponents! here, instead of little red, we have a little boy, federico, in his red sweatshirt, riding his bike on his way to see grandpa. but oh no! the wolf is terribly cunning! Luckily, Federico has a spicy surprise in his bike basket to keep this troublesome wolf at bay. With vibrant art, an amazing infusion of Spanish words, and a clever story, you’ll love this new story! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
little red riding hood, by tara lazar and illustrated by troy cummings: little red riding hood needs a new pair of ice skates! however, in order to get new skates, she must win a “couples competition”. But the plate is already paired with the spoon and Hansel is already paired with Gretel, and there’s no one left but the Big Bad Wolf. those eyes and those teeth?? well, they may be exactly what little red needs to become first place! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Little Red Writing, by Joan Holub and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet: It’s hard to write a story, and in this clever adaptation of the traditional fairy tale, a red pencil weaves its way through the dangers associated with doing just that. Armed with a basket of nouns and wandering down the path of history, Little Red strives to find a story that allows her to be brave and bold. With clever puns, fabulous illustrations, and plenty of creative wordplay, this fractured fairy tale will have budding authors eagerly searching for their own stories and playing with words as they brainstorm ideas. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
little red and the very hungry lion, by alex t. blacksmith: oh oh. Little Red’s aunt has broken out in a few spots and needs medicine, immediately! Set in Africa, Little Red sets out on her journey to her aunt’s house, and along the way she meets a lion. But little red is not stupid, she knows exactly what the lion wants, and she may be the only one who can tame his ways and change her mischievous behavior. charming! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
children’s story books: fragmented stories based on the three little pigs
The Three Ninja Pigs, by Corey Rosen Schwartz: There’s no way these tough pigs will let a wolf bring their houses down. so what do they do to prepare for its arrival? they take classes in aikido, jujitsu and karate, of course! We love this inventive story, and most of all we love that it’s the pig sister’s fancy footwork that saves the day. Corey Rosen Schwartz is a master of the fractured fairy tale, and we also absolutely adore Little Red Riding Hood Ninja for this same amazing team! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by John Sczieska: Even the Big Bad Wolf has a story to tell, and in this hilarious version of the Three Little Pigs, the wolf shares his thoughts. And if you want the real story, the real story is about Alexander T. wolf. and it all started with a sneeze and a cup of sugar. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
the three little pigs, by david wiesner: It starts out quite familiar, with three little pigs gathering different materials to build their own houses. But then the wolf shows up, and all his huffing and puffing brings out the first ever pig! uh oh This classic fairy tale book takes on a rather imaginative twist as the characters embark on a fantastical adventure. Delightful illustrations and a captivating visual narrative make this fractured fairy tale so much fun! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
children’s story books: fractured fairy tales – cinderella
interstellar cinderella, by deborah underwood and illustrated by meg hunt: ever wonder what would happen if the story of cinderella took place somewhere far away in the galaxy? miss more! Whoever said girls don’t have a knack for repairs and engineering has certainly never met interstellar Cinderella, because this girl can do it all. And when the royal spaceship has engine trouble, she’s the only one who can come to the prince’s rescue. the prince falls in love, of course. but does Cinderella want to be his wife? No. she would rather be the actual mechanic, thank you very much! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
seriously, cinderella is so annoying!, by trisha speed shaskan and illustrated by gerald claude guerlais: it’s time for cinderella’s evil stepmother to have a turn to tell her story, and that’s exactly what she wants! you will get with this entertaining book! Sure, all of you may think that Cinderella is perfect, sweet and lovely. the beauty of the ball, right? well, just wait until you hear what she’s really like! Everyone’s favorite evil stepmom has the real story, right here. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
cinders: a cinderella chicken, by jan brett: poor cinders is the most annoyed chicken in the whole barnyard. with her ragged wingtips and wet feathers, it would take a miracle for someone to think she’s beautiful… a miracle, or a fairy godmother in the form of a beautiful silky hen, of course! when the ball arrives and the royal rooster prince takes a look at the transformed ashes, all ends well, of course. and the exquisite and rich illustrations make this as magical to the reader as it is to ashes. he supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson and Illustrated by Kevin O’Malley: Cinder Edna and Cinderella live next door to each other, and both are tasked with the worst of chores. Edna learns a lot from her job and certainly doesn’t need the help of a fairy godmother when she needs to be rescued. She can rescue herself, in fact, and when the royal ball comes around, Edna doesn’t need glass slippers, she has her own trusty loafers of her own! Cinder Edna may end up living happily ever after, but not at all like you might think! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fairy tale books for children: fractured fairy tales – several!
not hansel and gretel by josh funk and edwardian taylor: what happens when hansel and gretel don’t listen to the narrator? when they have faith that their parents won’t abandon them, they think leaving breadcrumbs is a dumb idea (who gets to keep breadcrumbs, after all?!) and believe it’s impossible for someone evil to live in a house made of candy I’ll tell you what happens. things get ridiculous, especially when characters from other fairy tales arrive. don’t they know they’re in the wrong story? We love everything Josh Funk does, and his other fractured fairy tale, Isn’t Jack and the Beanstalk, is a lot of fun too! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Falling in Love with Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox and Illustrated by Lydia Monks: You know you’ve got a winner on your hands when a fractured fairy tale is written in fabulous rhyme, contains hilarious puns, and has kids roaring with laughter every time. page! After all, when Rapunzel is asked to let her hair down and she mistakes the request for underwear, it’s almost impossible not to have a lot of fun with a story. we love this silly tale! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
reading beauty, by deborah underwood and illustrated by meg hunt: any fractured fairy tale that takes a damsel in distress and turns that trope upside down is absolutely fantastic in my eyes! here, a fairy’s curse threatens to leave the kingdom empty of all books. But Space Princess Lex refuses to let this happen. instead? this powerful girl will do everything she can to break the devastating spell and return the books, magic books, to all people. love! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Pretty Stupid Tales by Jon Sciezska and Illustrated by Lane Smith: This book takes all the traditional fairy tales and turns them upside down. With tales titled “Little Red Running Shorts,” “The Really Ugly Duckling,” and “Cinderella Skin,” you know you’re in the hands of an offbeat storyteller who will go a little crazy and have a lot of fun, especially when the text and the illustrations complement each other delightfully. what a treat! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
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