Over the years, we enjoyed a wonderful collection of children’s fairy tales. We read traditional tales, newer versions from favorite authors, and variants from different countries. The more we read, the more we were able to find various retellings, often with plot twists or character differences that added new charm to the old stories. Some were humorous, some were written in verse, some had amazing illustrations, and some told the stories beautifully even as wordless picture books.
The following is a list of some of the fairy tales that Ben and I enjoyed reading together when he was younger. I also read many of these picture books with my students while teaching fourth and sixth grades, oh so long ago. Even though they are often written for a younger audience, many are delightful retellings that older children really appreciate. Some of the variants, such as those by Roald Dahl and Allan and Janet Ahlberg, are especially fun for children who are quite familiar with the traditional tales.
Most of these books you’ll be able to find in your local library, which of course will lead you to more and more fairy tales, depending on your library’s catalog. If you browse the titles online, you’ll also be able to read a bit about each version as well as find other similar titles. Happy reading!
The Three Little Pigs by Paul Galdone
The Three Little Pigs: An Old Story by Margot Zemach
The Three Little Pigs Retold and illustrated by James Marshall
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! By A. Wolf As told to Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas, Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Red Riding Hood Retold and illustrated by James Marshall
Little Red Riding Hood Retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Red Riding Hood Retold in verse by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Drawings by Edward Gorey
Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Story from China by Ed Young
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Retold and illustrated by Jan Brett
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Retold and illustrated by James Marshall
Deep in the Forest by Brinton Turkle
Alaska’s Three Bears by Shelley Gill, Illustrated by Shannon Cartwright
Jack and the Beanstalk Retold in verse for boys & girls to read by themselves by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Jim and the Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs
Hansell and Gretel Retold and illustrated by James Marshall
Cinderella Retold by Amy Ehrlich, Illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China Retold by Ai-Ling Louie, Illustrated by Ed Young
Princess Furball Retold by Charlotte Huck, Illustrated by Anita Lobel
The Paper Bag Princess Story by Robert Munsch, Art by Micheal Martchenko
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole
Thorn Rose, or The Sleeping Beauty by The Brothers Grimm, Pictures by Errol Le Cain
Snow White in New York by Fiona French
Rapunzel Retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Rumpelstiltskin Retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
The Frog Prince Continued Story by Jon Scieszka, Paintings by Steve Johnson
The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters by Allan and Janet Ahlberg
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes With full-color illustrations by Quentin Blake
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If you search for the phrase “fairy tale variants” or “variations,” you’ll find plenty of great lists like these:
Fairy Tales: A bibiography of popular stories
Folk Tales and Fairy Tales: Retellings, Adaptations, Variants, and Parodies
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