Reading lists

The best folk and fairy tales for children

Although we can’t guarantee you a happily ever after (we’re not fairy godmothers, unfortunately), we can guarantee that whoever your young reader is, there is a fairy tale for them in this selection.

A picture of several fairy tale books for children on a light green background with pretty doodles in the back
Image: Alicia Fernandes/Penguin

Fairy tales are unlike any other kind of story. Magical, enchanting, dark, ridiculous – anything is possible. And they’re not just entertaining; they offer invaluable life lessons, provide glimpses into other cultures and reflect different times throughout history.

Despite many now being more well known for their big-screen adaptations (Disney, we’re looking at you) nothing beats reading the original fairy tale. So, we’ve rounded up the best of the best.

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