The Best Fairy Tales & Folklore Kids' Books 2024

1. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic: The Teeny-Tiny Woman (Paperback)

A droll rendition of the old English ghost story about the teeny-tiny woman who found a teeny-tiny bone in the teeny-tiny churchyard.

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic: The Teeny-Tiny Woman (Paperback)

2. Little Red Riding Hood (Hardcover)

A Caldecott Honor Book A Golden Kite Award--Picture Book A stunning edition of the classic fairy tale, reimagined and illustrated by a Caldecott medalist. Traveling alone, deep in the woods, Elisabeth suspects her basket of treats isn't the only thing a sly wolf is after . . . Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone--until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path. Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth. With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved--and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson. Little Red Riding Hood, a Caldecott Honor Book, received a Golden Kite Award--Picture Book as well as many other awards and accolades. A classic of children's literature, this retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale brings new life to an old favorite with illustrations that children will linger over.

A Caldecott Honor Book A Golden Kite Award—Picture Book A stunning edition of the classic fairy tale, reimagined and illustrated by a Caldecott medalist. Traveling alone, deep in the woods, Elisabeth suspects her basket of treats isn’t the only thing a sly wolf is after . . . Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path. Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth. With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved—and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson. Little Red Riding Hood, a Caldecott Honor Book, received a Golden Kite Award—Picture Book as well as many other awards and accolades. A classic of children's literature, this retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale brings new life to an old favorite with illustrations that children will linger over.

3. Little Red Riding Hood (Paperback)

A Caldecott Honor Book A Golden Kite Award--Picture Book A stunning edition of the classic fairy tale, reimagined and illustrated by a Caldecott medalist. Traveling alone, deep in the woods, Elisabeth suspects her basket of treats isn't the only thing a sly wolf is after . . . Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone--until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path. Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth. With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved--and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson. Little Red Riding Hood, a Caldecott Honor Book, received a Golden Kite Award--Picture Book as well as many other awards and accolades. A classic of children's literature, this retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale brings new life to an old favorite with illustrations that children will linger over.

A Caldecott Honor Book A Golden Kite Award—Picture Book A stunning edition of the classic fairy tale, reimagined and illustrated by a Caldecott medalist. Traveling alone, deep in the woods, Elisabeth suspects her basket of treats isn’t the only thing a sly wolf is after . . . Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path. Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth. With the help of a brave woodsman, Elisabeth and her grandmother are saved—and Little Red Riding Hood learns a valuable lesson. Little Red Riding Hood, a Caldecott Honor Book, received a Golden Kite Award—Picture Book as well as many other awards and accolades. A classic of children's literature, this retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale brings new life to an old favorite with illustrations that children will linger over.

4. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic: The Gingerbread Boy (Paperback)

"The classic tale of the old couple, with no children of their own, who bake a gingerbread boy to keep them company. Just as the little old woman is about to take him from the oven, he slips away and runs out the door past a cow, a horse, a group of threshers, mowers, etc. All follow in hot pursuit until the gingerbread boy meets up with a wily fox, and 'at last and at last he went the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven . . . He was all gone!' A wonderfully frenetic cross-country chase is depicted in Galdone's broadly humorous color wash drawings. Of the eight editions of this well-known story now in print, this hilarious version is the most delectable." --School Library Journal, starred "Galdone has already proven many times over that he is perfectly at home with those traditional nursery tales that are still preschoolers' favorites, and his expressive, unassuming style just right for their very young audience. . . . Children will follow along breathlessly . . . right up to that last snip snap snip when the Gingerbread Boy goes 'the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven.'"--Kirkus Reviews

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic: The Gingerbread Boy (Paperback)

5. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic The Three Bears, (Paperback)

This classic tale featuring an unsuspecting bear family and a naughty, gap-toothed Goldilocks from award-winning author/illustrator Paul Galdone is a must-have for your storybook collection! When three bears leave their house to go for a walk in the wood, leaving their porridge to cool, a young girl named Goldilocks comes calling....and what a mess she makes! Great Big, Middle-Sized, and Little Wee readers alike will love Paul Galdone's delightful depiction of the original folk tale.

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic The Three Bears, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899194011 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1985-09-23 Page Count: 32

6. Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill, (Paperback)

When the fiercest giant in all of Ireland comes knocking at his door, what can peaceful Fin M'Coul do to escape him? An ALA Notable Book, by the bestselling author-illustrator of Strega Nona, Quiet, and many more. Fin M'Coul lives atop windy Knockmany Hill, and spends his days with the other giants of Ireland, moving huge stones to build a causeway to Scotland. But one morning, he hears a rumor that Cucullin, the strongest giant in the land, is coming to find and fight him. Fleeing home, Fin tells his wife of his worries. But clever Oonagh the giantess has a plan-- with her wits and her skills and her magic charms, she sets out to trick Cucullin and save her husband. Full of humor and charm, Tomie dePaola's retelling of this classic fable is boldly illustrated, with detailed borders based on ancient Irish metalwork.

Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill, (Paperback) Author: Holiday House ISBN: 9780823403851 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1981-01-01 Page Count: 32

7. Thirty-Three Multicultural Tales to Tell (Paperback)

When a story shares a universal message, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is shared with many diverse cultures. These classic 33 tales, collected from Brazil, China, Korea, Russia, Tibet, Africa, from America's native peoples, and other lands, are chosen for their timeless shared values.

When a story shares a universal message, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is shared with many diverse cultures. People just can't live together without telling stories. We tell stories that are funny, ironic, insightful, or just simply pleasing to the tongue and ear. Stories just seem to happen. When a story happens with the force of universality, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is the common denominator of cultural exchange. Here are thirty-three such tales, collected from Brazil, China, Korea, Russia, Tibet, Africa, from America's native peoples, and other lands, and chosen for the universality of their message. Each story is presented in concise "retellable" form, suitable for all ages. Kirkus Review wrote, "Presented in easy-to-learn versions enlivened with unforced humor and clear, fluent language; most would take ten minutes or less to tell. Their readers will bring away a stronger impression of human culture’s unity than its diversity."

8. Storyteller's Start-Up Book (Paperback)

For those who want to begin storytelling but don't know where to start, The Storyteller's Start-Up Book offers everything one could ask for. MacDonald presents twelve fool-proof tales that will work for the first-time storyteller arranged in ethnopoetic style. These multicultural tales will delight any audience.

Finding, learning, performing, and using folktales. For those who want to begin storytelling but don't know where to start, The Storyteller's Start-Up Book offers everything one could ask for. Margaret Read MacDonald, an award-winning folklorist and children's librarian who is also a touring storyteller, offers basic start-up information on finding stories, looking at them critically, starting a "story bank," networking with other storytellers, and creating a storytelling event. In chapters on learning and performing folktales, MacDonald offers the reader suggestions for finding his or her own performance style. Most importantly, MacDonald presents twelve fool-proof tales that will work for the first-time storyteller. Arranged in ethnopoetic style to relay a sense of rhythm, the stories encourage audience participation and feature enough repetition to make them easy to remember. These multicultural tales selected from the folklore of Angola, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Siberia, Wales, and Zaire will delight any audience. Includes excellent bibliographies to help the new teller continue to explore the world of storytelling.

9. Wisdom Tales from Around the World (Paperback)

This collection of fifty folktales and parables was selected from diverse story traditions such as Sufi, Zen, Taoist, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, African, and Native American. Comprised of ancient plots both poignant and comical, this anthology contains simple truths, common sense, and the promise that we can benefit from past generations' wisdom and experience.

Winner of PLA/ALLS Best New Books for New Adult Readers and the Storytelling World Award This collection of fifty folktales and parables was selected from diverse story traditions such as Sufi, Zen, Taoist, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, African, and Native American. Comprised of ancient plots both poignant and comical, this anthology contains simple truths, common sense, and the promise that we can benefit from past generations' wisdom and experience. By metaphorically suggesting constructive strategies for living, these ancient tales resonate with a universal appeal. "The characters in these stories may gain wisdom by observing a good example or by bumbling through their own folly," Heather Forest observes. "I hope these stories will provide discussion and offer insight into joys, sorrows, fears and farce of human experience." Wisdom tales offer useful insights into life's joys and sorrows that all of us experience.

10. Bilingual Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears/Ricitos De Oro Y los Tres Osos (Paperback)

Striking art accompanies the favorite tale of Goldilocks giving it a fresh look that will enchant a new generation of readers. Retold in both Spanish and English, this universally familiar story is now a springboard for inspiring early readers and older learners alike to recognize Spanish and English words. The dual-language text make this book a useful and beautiful addition to both home and classroom libraries.

Striking art accompanies the favorite tale of Goldilocks giving it a fresh look that will enchant a new generation of readers. Retold in both Spanish and English, this universally familiar story is now a springboard for inspiring early readers and older learners alike to recognize Spanish and English words. The dual-language text make this book a useful and beautiful addition to both home and classroom libraries.