Fables, myths,and folktales have existed for more than a thousand years, creating shared history and cultural connectivity among numerous groups of people throughout time. Even today, such tales remind us to focus on the beauty in small things, including our shared human values and experiences, even while we take note of the large things, such as the timeless regularity and patterns of the night sky. In both cases, reading these kinds of stories allows us to connect with a global humanity that transcends even time itself. Dive into some our favorites below!
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
When Little Star’s mama hangs the big mooncake in the sky, she reminds Little Star not to eat it. But how can Little Star resist such a tasty treat? Night after night, she nibbles at the mooncake until one night—it’s all gone! This sweet story, complete with beautiful illustrations, creates a clever origin myth about why the moon changes its shape. It’s a perfect bedtime story for little ones!
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett
When two town mice and two country mice decide to trade places, each realizes that there’s more to be grateful for at home than they originally expected. This classic fable comes to life with Jan Brett’s iconic illustrations and wonderful storytelling. And the clever ending will make even the littlest readers giggle!
When Turtle Grew Feathers by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
In this Choctaw version of the Tortoise & the Hare fable, Rabbit isn’t racing a turtle at all—but a turkey in a turtle shell! How this silly situation came to be is a fun story about friendship, forgiveness, and doing what’s right. Definitely a fun read!
How Raven Got His Crooked Nose by Barbara & Ethan J. Atwater, illustrated by Mindy Dwyer
This Alaskan folktale adaptation tells the story of Chulyen, an ancient raven that originally boasted a very straight nose. Thanks to his mischief, he lost his perfect nose on the shoreline, where it was found by Chida, a local villager. Though Chida finds the nose to be a useful tool, Chulyen is not willing to give it up and must use magic trickery to get it back!
The Frog with the Big Mouth by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Will Terry
When Frog swallows a giant fly, he can’t wait to tell everyone that he’s the frog with the Big Mouth! Not satisfied with the disinterest of his fellow frogs, he travels into the jungle to brag to everyone he sees—that is, until he comes face-to-face with a jaguar! This fun fable has delightful illustrations and lots to discuss after its surprising ending!
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
When Lion unexpectedly allows Mouse to go free, he doesn’t realize that his good deed will ultimately save his life. This wordless picture book tells the traditional fable of the lion and the mouse with intricate illustrations from the celebrated, award-winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney.
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis
A poetic celebration of the ancient traditions that commemorate winter solstice, this book reminds readers of global elements of nature and culture that connect humanity across time. With simple, rich illustrations and lyrical prose, this is a beautiful read-aloud book for chilly winter evenings.
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Christopher Corr
This fun origin story details the ancient Great Race that created the order of the Chinese zodiac. Organized by the ancient Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens, each animal must race across a great river. The order in which they completed the race marked their order in the Chinese zodiac calendar. With bright illustrations and surprising twists, find out which animal won the race—and which contestant never even made it to the finish line!
Fables by Arnold Lobel
Ducks and foxes, wolves dressed as apple trees, and a crocodile with an insatiable hunger for order… These are just a few of the delightful characters in this collection of fables, written and illustrated by the author of the beloved Frog and Toad series. Each fable is one page long, with a gorgeous matching illustration and stated moral. Grab this collection for a quick bedtime story or to spark an interesting family discussion!
Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth
When Addy, Michael, and Karl find a huge, umbrella-holding panda in their backyard, an unlikely friendship with their new friend, Stillwater, begins. As each child spends an afternoon with Stillwater, the peaceful panda tells them each a “Zen short,” or short story designed to inspire meditation. Weaving ancient tales into this modern retelling, Zen Shorts inspires kindness, seeking the good, and letting go of hard feelings. A perfect read-aloud for inquisitive young people and their parents alike!