Picture Books

Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott

(Children + E99.N77 M33 1993)

“Raven, the trickster, wants to give people the gift of light. But can he find out where Sky Chief keeps it? And if he does, will he be able to escape without being discovered? His dream seems impossible, but if anyone can find a way to bring light to the world, wise and clever Raven can!” —Provided by publisher.

The Girl of the Wish Garden: A Thumbelina Story by Uma Krishnaswami; illustrated by Nasrin Khosravi

(Children PZ8.K9116 Gi 2013)

A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale about a girl who is only one inch tall.

Issun Bôshi: The One-Inch Boy by Icinori

(Children Lg PZ8.1.I25 Is 2014)

This classic Japanese fairy tale tells the story of Issun Bôshi, the tiny son of an old, long childless couple. He is tested in several adventures and handles himself so bravely that, in the end, he is rewarded with just the right princess!

The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

(Children + PZ8.1.S227 Tal 1989)

A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel by Patricia Storace; illustrated by Raúl Colón

(Children + PZ8.1.S864 Su 2007)

A version of the folktale Rapunzel, set in the Caribbean.

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal by Paul Fleischman; illustrated by Julie Paschkis

(Children Picture Book + FLEIS)

The author draws from a variety of folk traditions to put together this version of Cinderella, including elements from Mexico, Iran, Korea, Russia, Appalachia, and more.

Princess Furball by Charlotte Huck; pictures by Anita Lobel

(Children Picture Book + HUCK)

A princess in a coat of a thousand furs hides her identity from a king who falls in love with her.

Puss & Boots by Ayano Imai

(Children Picture Book + IMAI)

“It’s all about the shoes! A poor shoemaker and his cat lived together. Business was bad. ‘Don’t give up so easily,’ advised the cat. ‘Make me some beautiful boots, and I will do the rest!’ This clever cat can deal with anything, even a shoe-loving monster. Ayano Imai’s delightful twist on the classic Puss in Boots story, sees the loyal cat taking on a terrible monster—and winning.” —Provided by publisher.

Little Red Riding Hood by Jerry Pinkney

(Children Picture Book + PINKN)

A sweet little girl meets a hungry wolf in the forest while on her way to visit her grandmother.

Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

(Children Picture Book + SCIES)

Madcap revisions of familiar tales.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka; illustrated by Lane Smith

(Children Picture Book + SCIES)

The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.

Can You Guess My Name? By Judy Sierra; illustrated by Stefano Vitale

(Children Picture Book + SIERR)

A collection of fifteen folktales from all over the world, including stories that resemble “The Three Pigs,” “The Bremen Town Musicians,” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith(Children Picture Book + SMITH)

In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set on the African plains, Little Red realizes what the Very Hungry Lion is up to, and teaches him a lesson before generously sharing her donuts with him.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs translated by Randall Jarrell; illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert

(Children Picture Book Lg SNOW)

Retells the tale of the beautiful princess whose lips were red as blood, skin was white as snow, and hair was black as ebony.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

(Children Picture Book + STEPT)

Mufaro’s two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.

Chapter Books

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

(Children PZ7.L578345 El 1997)

In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola; illustrated by Emily Carroll

(Children PZ7.M134 Ba 2015)

“Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga’s house-on-chicken-legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!” —Provided by publisher.

I Was a Rat by Philip Pullman

(Children PZ7.P968 Iw 2002)

A little boy turns life in London upside down when he appears at the house of a lonely old couple and insists he was a rat.

Young Adult

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

(Children PZ7.N15 Bo 2004)

In a novel based on Chinese Cinderella tales, fourteen-year-old stepchild Xing-Xing endures a life of neglect and servitude, as her stepmother cruelly mutilates her own child’s feet so that she alone might marry well.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

(Children PZ8.N127 Ze 1996)

Based on the fairy tale Rapunzel, the story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Zel, her mother, and the nobleman who pursues her, and delves into the psychological motivations of each of the characters.

Poetry

Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer; illustrated by Josée Masse

(Children + PS3569.I546 M57 2010)

A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature.

Collections

The Seven Wise Princesses: A Medieval Persian Epic retold by Wafaʹ Tarnowska; illustrated by Nilesh Mistry

(Children + PZ8.T178 Se 2000)

A lonely king, inspired by seven mysterious portraits, invites seven lovely princesses to live with him; their stories entertain and educate him in the ways of a wise ruler.

The People Could Fly: The Book of Black Folktales told by Virginia Hamilton; illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

(Children + PZ8.1.H154 Pe 1985)

Retold Afro-American folktales of animals, fantasy, the supernatural, and desire for freedom, born of the sorrow of the slaves, but passed on in hope.

The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit as told by Julius Lester; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

(Children PZ8.1.L434 Las 1994)

“Whether he is besting Brer Fox or sneaking into Mr. Man’s garden, Brer Rabbit is always teaching a valuable lesson. These classic tales are full of wit, humor, and creativity, and Julius Lester brings an added contemporary sense to these forty-eight timeless stories.” —Provided by publisher.

The Serpent Slayer and Other Stories of Strong Women by Katrin Tchana; illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

(Children Lg PZ8.1.T19 Se 2000)

A collection of twenty traditional tales from various parts of the world, each of whose main character is a strong and resourceful woman.

Land of the Long White Cloud: Maori Myths, Tales, and Legends by Kiri Te Kanawa; illustrated by Michael Foreman

(Children + PZ8.1 .T23 1989)

A collection of nineteen tales from various Maori tribes of New Zealand about the trickster Maui, the Creation, monsters, birds, animals, and special places.