Fairy tale storylines and recurring themes have captivated readers for hundreds of years. So it’s no surprise that fracturing these familiar stories into clever retellings is always a hit! With hilarious and heart-warming twists, fractured fairy tales are a must for any child’s bookshelf. Check out some of our all-time favorites!
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
The Stinky Cheese Man runs as fast, fast, fast as he can to escape the other characters— but honestly, they’re happy to see him go. He stinks! This hilarious collection of off-beat fairy tale retellings includes a really ugly duckling that grows into a really ugly duck, a dishonest frog prince, and a Table of Contents that squashes a whole cast of fairy tale characters. Get ready to laugh!
Goldilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson
When Bear gets lost in the big city, he ends up in Snooty Towers, hungry and feeling a little sick. After trying all the food and squashing a bean bag, he falls asleep in the only comfy bed in the house—but he’s in for a surprise when the family of “persons” comes home… because the “mommy person” is his old friend, Goldilocks!
Mary Had a Little Lab by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Petros Bouloubasis
Most neighborhood kids like playing outside—but not Mary! She prefers to spend time creating in her lab. But the lab can get lonely. So Mary uses her lab to make herself a sheep, but when the duplicator jams, she ends up with more sheep than she can handle! Can Mary’s ideas (and some neighborhood kids) solve her sheep problem? With transparent illustrations that layer upon each other, this book is such a fun take on a classic story!
After the Fall by Dan Santat
Egg may be famous for falling off the wall, but it’s what happens afterwards that truly changes him. Because even though the king’s men get him back together again, he is different. His new fear of heights keeps him from enjoying things he loved. And fear means that he avoids the wall—even though climbing the wall would allow Egg to mingle with the birds (his favorite pastime). Will Egg ever find his joy again? The illustrations, message of hope, and twist of an ending make this book truly special.
Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
Fresh out of ninja school, Wolf knows Red will be an easy target for a delicious meal. With Grandma away, he dresses up and waits for Red’s arrival. But when he’s just about ready to gobble her up, Red pulls out her own ninja skills! This cleverly rhymed story is a fast-moving, delightful spin on the original story.
Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Troy Cummings
If Little Red can’t find a partner for the skating competition, she’s doomed! Her skates are falling apart, and gliding the ice path is the only way to visit Grandma each week. When the Big Bad Wolf scares her, Little Red can’t get away fast enough– especially when she loses one of her old skates in the chase. But Little Red is in for a big surprise! This book includes clever nods to multiple fairy tales and nursery rhymes throughout the story—challenge your child to find them all!
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Grace Zong
It’s Chinese New Year, and Goldy’s mother sends her to the Chans’ home with a plate of turnip cakes to share. But the Chans aren’t home, and Goldy accidentally drops the turnip cakes all over the floor! While she waits for them to arrive, more accidental mischief occurs. Is Goldy’s New Year destined to be full of bad luck? This fun, fractured tale includes an unexpected ending that will leave readers smiling.
The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairytale by Anne Lambelet
If there’s one thing the witch doesn’t like, it’s a princess who keeps getting sweeter every day. So she creates a poisoned apple, destined to rid her of the princess for good! Only…the princess gives the apple to a dwarf, and the dwarf gives the apple to other woodland creatures… Who will end up safe, and who will end up dead? Read to find out!
Hansel and Gretel by Bethan Woollvin
Willow was a good witch who never got angry. Not even when Hansel and Gretel refuse to help clean up their trail of crumbs in the forest, or when they eat bites out of Willow’s gingerbread house, or gobble Willow’s food, or use her magic. But when the naughty kids try to stuff Willow into her own oven, Willow has finally had enough! This funny story has a twisty ending that will make everyone giggle!
Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying! By Trisha Speed Shaskan, illustrated by Gerald Guerlais
Cinderella is not the sweet girl we know her to be, not according to the wicked stepmother. She tells stories all day long, cleans too fast to keep up with her, and loses her voice right before the ball. Of course she has to stay home. This fun version of the fairy tale even includes an unexpected happily ever after—for the stepmother and stepsisters!