Take a trip down memory lane with your kids as you introduce these classic fairytale and folklore retellings. Stories like Cinderella, Goldilocks, and Little Red Riding Hood get a modern twist that still incorporate timeless lessons of friendship, love, and empathy. This is in no way an extensive list, but a good place to start if you want to explore not only western stories but also tales from other countries. The variety of mythological beasts in Legendary Creatures will captivate people of any age. A Lion’s Whisker will show the powerful bonds between siblings. There’s a sweet bedtime story here for everyone.
This exciting introduction to mythological creatures celebrates beings from all over the world. From a vicious three-headed Chimera of ancient Greece to the awe-inspiring dragons of Europe and East Asia, there’s a variety of powerful spirits, helpful beasts, and fierce monsters. This is also the perfect book for any fans of Fantastic Beasts.
In this retelling of Cinderella and follow up to Mighty Red Riding Hood, we follow the love story between Cinda and her nonbinary partner Ella. Their story begins when Cinda decides to enter a roping-and-riding contest at Rancho Del Reina. The cash prize is what she needs to buy her freedom, but what she doesn’t expect is meeting Ella. Can she grab the gold and Ella Del Reina’s attention?
In this gay retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderelliot is stuck at home taking care of his ungrateful stepsiblings. He sees a chance to escape when Prince Samuel announces a kingdom-wide baking competition, but his stepbrother and stepsister insists on Cinderelliot baking their entries, leaving no time for his own. Fairy Godfather Ludwig appears to help Cinderelliot and Prince Samuel falls in love with Cinderelliot’s cake and searches for him the next day. Prince Samuel not only gets a new baker, but the man of his dreams and they get their happily ever after.
In this adaptation of a traditional Indian folktale, there lived a woman named Kamala who has the most delicious honey. She tries to sell the honey at the market, but business was slow and her family is struggling to get by. When Kamala hears about a party to celebrate the prince’s marriage, she gets an idea and has to outsmart seven tricky thieves to reap an even sweeter reward.
Rooted in Ethiopian folktales, this picture book provides thoughtful lessons to teach the power of patience, understanding, and sibling love. Brother and Sister are constantly arguing. Grandmother sends them on a dangerous mission to pluck a lion’s whisker for a magical potion. In their quest, they learn about the strength of working together, being brave, and showing patience and understanding for others.
In this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Wee Bear is on the hunt for something new to read and on his trek, he stumbles upon Goldibook’s house. Wee Bear makes himself at home while Goldibook and her parents are out for a walk. He looks for the perfect book and chair to enjoy his read. As the story unfolds, readers are reminded the best books are the ones we share with friends.
Little Red Reading Hood loves reading and applying everything she learns to the real world. In this retelling of the classic tale, Red is in for a surprise when she finds the Misread Wolf disguised as her grandmother. He’s after something more delicious than your average snack—a bedtime story. Little Red Reading Hood might just be his only hope.
Sharky McShark is the biggest bully in the sea and doesn’t think she needs friends. But one day she stumbles into a tiny crab that shakes her world and proves that everyone, even the scariest creature, needs a friend.
This graphic novel follows Anne Shirley as she navigates through a new life in West Philadelphia. Armed with a big personality and unstoppable creativity, Anne joins the robotics club, makes new friends, and experiences first love. She starts creating the life she imagined for herself and discovers the one thing she wasn’t looking for—a family.
Emily Hoang is a writer and editor, who is obsessed with haunted houses, ghosts, and dreams. More info can be found on her website.
