Best fairy tale books for toddlers

11 of My Favorite Fairytale Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

I’m a fairytale fiend. I have an extensive collection of fairy tales, I studied fairy tales in college and wrote my dissertation on fairy tales, I read them all the time, so of course I wanted to stock my child’s bookshelf with fairy tales. However, while I love fairy tales, I don’t love their patriarchal themes. It’s difficult to find a feminist fairytale board book, even though there are many picture books that subvert the misogyny and patriarchy in traditional fairy tales. There’s definitely a gap here! I’ve also noticed a lack of diversity in fairytale board books, with the exception of the Once Upon a World series. This is ridiculous. Fairy tales exist in every single culture. There’s no reason for only blonde, blue-eyed, white little girls to be portrayed. So while this list collects my favorite fairytale board books, I’m overall disappointed that I can’t find any that reflect the diversity of the genre and modern feminist values. So take this list with a grain of salt!

Once Upon a World Collection by Chloe Perkins and Hannah Eliot

This series is so wonderful! So far there are 5 books: Snow White

, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid We’ve already reviewedmany in the series. Each one sets a classic fairy tale in a diverse setting. Snow White takes place in Japan; Cindrella in Mexico; The Princess and the Pea in Russia; Rapunzel in India; and The Little Mermaid in the Caribbean. The only one I haven’t read yet (and don’t own) is The Little Mermaid, the most recently published. My favorite in the series is Rapunzel, which is gorgeously illustrated. I do wish some of them were a little more feminist, but they’re still my favorite board book fairytale series. The publishers now have a Celebrate the World series, about holidays from around the world!

Once Upon a Hairytale Series by Trish Cooke

I found another diverse fairytale board book series! These are published and sold by Tangle Teezer and also come with two hairbrushes! We’ve read Zel, Let Out Your Hair, a retelling of “Rapunzel,” and really enjoyed it. It’s an engaging and fun take on the tale, about a little Black girl named Zel whose mother is styling her hair. Zel becomes bored and imagines her hair getting bigger and bigger. The other books in the series include Jackson and the Hairstalk and The Puppet Who Wanted Hair. As a white family, I can’t comment on how well the hairbrush works on Black hair. It’s amazing with my curly-haired white daughter’s hair though! We brush it right after conditioning, and it brushes all the tangle out and we no longer have to cut the worst tangles out! All proceeds for the box go to Pretty Brown Girl. You can see images from the book on my Instagram.

Usborne Peep Inside a Fairy Tale Collection

There are so many books in this series! We own Little Red Riding Hood

and Beauty & The Beast, but there are many more in the series. What makes these books so interesting is the design. The board book pages have cutouts so you can see the image behind, and a few lift-the-flaps as well. In Little Red Riding Hood, for instance, there’s a flap to look into grandmother’s house and a flap to peek inside the wolf’s belly and see Grandmother and LRRH inside. Very clever! Once again I wish the retellings were more subversive. I like to see some strong women in fairy tales and, in fact, that shouldn’t be seen as subversive at all!

Les Petits Fairytales by Trixie Belle and Melissa Caruso-Scott, Illustrated by Oliver Lake

These are silly and cute. Much like the Cozy Classics series, they feature one word a page, pairing down each fairy tale into about 10 words. You can fill in the blanks however you want. The illustrations are pastel glittery brightness, and they’re a smaller sized board book making them perfect for the smallest of hands, which is why our copy of Beauty and the Beast

has many bite marks in it!

First Stories by Dan Taylor and Miriam Bos

The First Stories series has about a dozen books in it. Each is interactive in a toddler-friendly way, meaning they can’t tear anything. There are little fingerholes that move characters, board book pages that extend out, etc. They also rhyme! You can collect Peter Pan

, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and a whole lot more.

Lift the Flap: Fairy Tales (Can You Find Me?) by Roger Priddy

Some toddlers are great with lift-the-flap books, some are not. You know your child best! If they can handle it, definitely pick up this lovely board book, with fun flaps hiding all sorts of interesting things! It’s a combination of lots of fairy tales.

Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

This one is a classic, and such a fun beginner search and find. Each page is a rhyming riddle from fairy tales and nursery rhymes, with something hidden. Marian is strange and likes to read this one by herself!

Three Little Mermaids by Mara Van Fleet

An interactive board book that provides textures, sliding pages, and a couple of lift-the-flaps. It’s a fun book to play with, and it’s also an excellent beginner counting book.

Princess And The Pea by Parragon Books

This is a tab board book that features all the characters. The tab pulls out to reveal more of the story. It’s actually a decent-sized story for a board book!

My Favourite Fairy Tale Board Book by Tony Ross

There are three books in this series: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

, Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk. I really like the illustrations on these. May I suggest also purchasing these Melissa & Doug Fairy Tale Friends Hand Puppets to go along with the book?

The Sleeping Beauty: My First Ballet Book by Jennifer Adams, Illustrated by Corey Egbert

This is part of the BabyLit series that all English majors with children adore. Did you know that the Disney music for their film Sleeping Beauty comes straight from the Tchaikovsky ballet? It does! It’s gorgeous music, unlike the fairy tale which is very icky. I haven’t read this board book yet, but I love the BabyLit series and I know I’ll end up grabbing this one.

Do you know any diverse fairytale board books?

12 of the Best Fairytale Books for Kids: Collections and Anthologies

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Fairytales have appealed to kids for generations. It makes sense! The stories are filled with magic and mayhem, trickery and narrow escapes, lessons, and close calls. The best fairytale books both help kids learn important lessons but also spark curiosity in what’s possible. Whether they are retellings of classics or brand new fairytales for an age more recognizable to kids today, there’s a lot to be learned from fairytales. Luckily for us, the love of fables hasn’t seemed to be lost. If anything, it’s only increased with access to new methods of storytelling.

If you and your kids are looking for some great fairytale books, collections, and anthologies, you’ve come to the right place. Below is a list of some of the best collections and anthologies for kids out now. You may recognize some, while others are completely new! And don’t worry! While this list is specifically dedicated to books and collections for kids, all ages can enjoy a good fairytale from time to time.

Please enjoy this list of 15 of the best fairytale collections for kids! (Or adults!)

Brick Fairy Tales by John D. McCann

The perfect collection for the young LEGO fan! This collection features classic stories like Cinderella, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel, all told with LEGOs. This fun twist on classic tales is great for new and skeptical readers. Complete with fun pictures to accompany the 13 tales, this is sure to be a bedtime hit!

Once Upon a Time/Habia una vez: Traditional Latin American Tales by Rueben Matinez

A bilingual (English/Spanish) collection of seven fairytales from Latin America. These stories, set mostly in Spain, tell the classic stories of Knights and Giants, Magic and Princesses, Castles and Dragons. These classic tales are rewritten for a younger generation and are perfect for young readers.

Fairy Tale Comics Edited by Chris Duffy

A lovely collection of fairytales by your favorite children’s comics are compiled in this visually stunning collection. Perfect for the young comic book reader in your life, this collection is a fresh take on the classics. Included are Jamie Hernandez’s take on Hansel and Gretel and Brett Helquist’s version of Rumplestiltskin. There’s a lot to love about this collection.

Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela

A collection of favorites from the beloved activist, this anthology is brimming with vibrant storytelling. Featuring stories from all over the continent of Africa, this is a wonderful book. With fascinating characters and beautiful creation myths, this collection of 32 stories will truly transport you. There is even an audiobook that’s brimming with any much-loved voices including LeVar Burton.

Girls, Giants, and Goddesses: Tales of Heroines from Around the World by Lari Don

Featuring stories of bravery from girls all over the world, this collection is perfect for the young heroine in your life. With 11 stories to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Each tale is full of strength and determination, but also kindness and magic. A great collection for any age.

Red Ridin’ in the Hood and Other Cuentos by Patricia Santos Marcantonio

This collection takes well-loved classic western fairytales and places them in Latin American settings. This twist on the classics adds Latine culture and leads to some truly unforgettable retellings. These 11 tales feature retellings of Little Red Riding Hood, Orpheus and Eurydice, and many many more!

The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde

While best known for his plays and other adult literary contributions, Oscar Wilde was also a fantastic children’s author. With stories that are both familiar and brand new, this collection is poetry for all ages. This collection hosts fantastic characters like the happy prince who isn’t actually that happy, a selfish giant, and a star child. Each of the five stories in this collection is an absolute delight.

Blackberry Blue: And Other Fairy Tales by Jamila Gavin

These six original stories are full of magic, mischief, and discovery. Each story is utterly transportive and it won’t be long before these tales enter the classic fairytale canon. The title story, in particular, is the perfect example of perseverance and determination. Perfect for new readers to read on their own, or for read aloud sessions, Blackberry Blue and Other Fairy Tales is a must-have for fairytale lovers of all ages.

Tatterhood: Feminist Folktales from Around the World by Ehtel Johnston Phelps

A collection brimming with 25 classic fairytales is perfect for new and avid readers alike. With stories from all over the world gathered into one great big book, each tale is unique and lovely. In addition to the fantastic collection, the art in this book is bright, intricate, and beautiful. Even children who can’t quite read yet will still be engaged by the artwork that accompanies each story. This is a collection for the ages.

Filipino Children’s Favorite Stories: Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales by Liana Romulo

With 13 unique stories, this is a fantastic collection for children. Each story is funny and thoughtful offering insight into questions like Why do mosquitos buzz around our ears? Perfect for ages 6 to 10, this collection shares the best of the best Filipino fairytales.

Beasts and Beauty by Soman Chainani

A collection of 12 tales, this anthology is sure to have something for everyone. These classic tales are retold for young readers in new and engaging ways that will surprise and delight them. With twists on classics like Hansel and Gretel and Red Riding Hood, Beasts and Beauty is one of the best collections to come out in recent years. Beloved author Soman Chainani has created a masterful collection of retellings.

The Girl Who Married The Moon by Joseph Bruchac

A collection of Native American coming-of-age folktales, The Girl Who Married the Moon focuses on the stories of young girls. Both engaging and empowering, this collection is fantastic for the young girls in your life who are trying to find their place in the world. Full of magic, joy, triumph, and adventure, this is a collection with something for everyone.

There are so many more great collections to choose from, but this is at least a good start. (Find even more in our list of fairytale retellings!) Fantastic collections like the ones listed above are being published every year. At the end of the day kids (and adults) just love to escape into a fairytale.

Fairy tales for the little ones - read for free online

Fairy tales for kids - fascinating and instructive works of folklore and famous authors, whose work can attract attention and interest even the most restless kids. A variety of stories dedicated to heroic heroic deeds, the world of magic and witchcraft, animals, will awaken the imagination of even the smallest. Through these fairy tales, kids will comprehend the world around them, learn kindness, justice, honesty and responsibility.

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