There is nothing quite like escaping reality, curled up with our little ones, and reading a dashing tale of adventure. Fairytales take us on a fictional expedition! We can see a daring wolf trying to make a meal out of pigs. We can see a damsel princess letting down her hair from her tower. There are sleeping beauties, bridge-hogging trolls, and so much more. Some fairytales are exciting, and others are scary, but each does have a deeper moral laying beneath the surface. These books cultivate learning for our children to explore their imagination, but even contemplate deeper messages hidden below. Below is a list of some of my own personal favorite picture books about fairytales for you to curl up and enjoy.
Cinderella by Marcia Brown
A fitting beginning to this list, Cinderella is a well-known and adored classic. Adapted into various plays, movies, and even tv shows, there is something beautiful about this rags to riches story that has drawn quite an audience. Read as Cinderella has a magically impossible night, thanks to her fairy godmother, and about the love she finds thanks to leaving a shoe behind at the stroke of midnight. This Caldecott Medal winning book has beautiful whimsical illustration that add to the story, too.
Rapunzel by Brothers Grimm
Nothing says fairytale more then a damsel in distress, a wicked witch keeping her captive, and a happenstance encounter with a prince. Rapunzel is a fairytale story that teaches children about persisting, even in the hardest and darkest times. It teaches our children about love and the importance of freedom to explore the world. It’s also a great fairytale to tie in forgiveness and how evil will come and go, but as children raised in Christ, we are to forgive our enemies and move on. This book was a Caldecott Medal winner for a reason, the illustrations will blow you away!
Hansel and Gretel by Rika Lesser
There are no fairytale classics quite like those of the Brothers Grimm. With the wicked witch of the forest, and a brother and sister duo, who will win the battle of good verses evil? In reading this fairytale classic, there are beautiful notes of companionship, persevering, and to help those we love. This is also a great fairytale to use when teaching your children about stranger danger, and not running into any candy houses (or taking candy from strangers), too.
Rumpelstiltskin by Brothers Grimm
Rumpelstiltskin is a fairytale that I’ve grown to love, even more as an adult. It reminds of us how we cannot have two masters when we serve Christ. This beautiful read reminds us of how influential greed, power, and lying can be. The truth will always set us free, so use this as a wonderful resource to show truth will always prevail.
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Depending on who you ask, many will say Pinocchio doesn’t classify as a fairytale novel, but I beg to differ. A wood puppet granted magical life, a talking cricket, and let’s not forget the ever-growing nose of lies! It strikes all the boxes for a fairy tale for me. Pinocchio is a great resource to sit down and discuss lying and the importunate of truth to our children. It’s also a beautiful story of fatherly love and how a parent will go to great depths for their child.
Little Red Riding Hood by Tina Schart Hyman
A fairytale classic that has had many adaptations (much like Cinderella). Little Red Riding Hood is a brave young girl, wondering the forest on her own to visit her grandmother. Little Red Riding Hood teaches children how to be discerning, how to ask questions, not trust strangers, and at a deeper level how to be brave and stand strong against the enemy.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett
Greed is truly evil. In the fairytale story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, learn about greed and how to overcome it with following the narrow path. Plus, who can resist a book by the deo of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen?! When they team up, you know it’s going to be good.
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
One of my favorite fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen does a beautiful job with the classic that is The Ugly Duckling. It is such a valuable resource to teach our children how not to judge one another on outside characteristics, and about how our words can speak life and death. It also is a beautiful reminder to our children on how to be kind, how to value their friendships and relationships, and how to look within others instead of judging too quickly. Humility is a beautiful interwoven motif, that can also be a great biblically rooted lesson as well.
Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs by The Brothers Grimm
A fairytale at the very core, that personifies the battle of good and evil. This classic can help us remind our kids not to become vain, but to focus on the quality of friends and relationships around us. It also is a beautiful example of how good overcomes evil with love. Another Caldecott Honor book means more gorgeous illustrations!
The Tortoise and the Hare by Janet Stevens
I personally like to reference this fabled fairytale classic when my children are rushing around like mad men. We often live such busy of lives that we forget that it’s when we’re slow and steady that we win the bigger race, not rushing around or being quick and careless (which often results in consequences and short-cuts).
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
A heaping amount of pasta, some magic, and a lesson about hard work is what you’re settling into with this fairytale beauty by Tommie dePaola. A modern fairytale, yes, but one of my very favorites from my childhood!
Three Little Pigs by Patricia Seibert
Following the same pattern, The Three Little Pigs is a fairytale classic that reminds us not to take any shortcuts when it comes to building a life for ourselves. There is an awesome apologetic study with this fairytale in that we must have a house on a firm foundation in Christ, or else our house will fall down. Steven Kellogg has a bit of a fun twist with this classic fairytale.
Little Good Wolf by Susan Stevens Crummel
A different take on a fairytale classic, this telling tale shows a variable difference that even though wolves were born to be evil, big, and bad, we choose who we will be in our lives. It teaches our children about kindness, and how we must chose to be kind, even when it goes against the grain.
The Wolf’s Story by Toby Forward
A different, and yet clever take on this fairy-tale classic… read about the cunningness of the wolf. Is he really who he says he is?
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
A great example of being careful what we wish for, this fairytale classic is sure to make your children think about kindness, respect, and compassion. There is a beautiful lesson here on being careful what our heart’s desires are, and making sure they align with God’s will.
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
This opposites-attract fairytale reminds our children about kindness, compassion, and never judging a book by the cover. Even the biggest man in the jungle has problems, just like the small man. Such a centralized truth on why we should always be the hands and feet of Jesus and be there for all.
Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
A fairytale world with wildness at the core, this is one of my family’s favorite reads. It reminds us of family, the love that we have together, and big emotions that come and go. It also reminds us that our imaginations can be a wonderful and adventurous thing, but there is really no place like home with our family.
Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen
Thumbelina is one of those fairytales that often gets overlooked, or pushed aside, but there are really good learning opportunities tucked into this Hans Christian Andersen classic. Reading Thumbelina gives families the opportunity to discuss emotions, vanity, and considering life from various angles and creatures alike.
Jack & the Beanstalk by Paul Galdone
Jack’s adventure up the beanstalk teaches us about bravery, facing giants, and how to be courageous. There are also very cool apologetics tied into this fairytale adventure, can you guess what it is? (Hint: It can be applied to man, God, and the stairway to Heaven (Jesus).)
The Princess & the Pea by Kolanovic Dubrakvaka
A wonderful fairytale book, that while seems childish and fun on the surface, teaches us the deeper meaning of how small things really do add up to matter.
Picture Books About Fairytales
That wraps up our list of picture books about fairytales! We’d love to add to it, though. What suggestions do you have? Let us know down in the comments or inside of our online homeschool community.