Fairy tales have been loved for centuries throughout the world. But what happens when someone takes one of these old classics and turns it on its head? This list contains some of my favorite picture books that do just that. These protagonists decide to choose a different path forward than the one laid out for them, which makes them potentially chaotic but oh so fun!
Written by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by Crystal Kung
New York: Rocky Ponds Books, 2024. Picture Book.In this twist on the story of Rapunzel, rather than being imprisoned in a tower by a witch, Ra Pu Zel locks herself in a tower after tiring of being told what to do. While in the tower she cultivates her talents, among them cooking and music. After hearing the music and smelling the delicious food, men from near and far arrive to try to coax the princess from the tower. Despite many men trying to win her affections, the princess doesn't leave until smelling the stench of stinky tofu. She meets the young man who was pushing the stinky tofu cart and tries the delicacy, which then becomes one of the most well-known dishes in China. Those who are looking for a princess who is ready to take charge of her fate will find a lot to like in this tale.
By Sandra Fay
New York: Godwin Books, Henry Holt & Company, 2024. Picture Book.In this reimagining of the three little pigs, a mama tardigrade (also called moss piglets, these are micro animals) tells her kids that it's time for them to explore on their own and look for a new home away from the nest. Before they leave, she warns them of the big bad wolf spider that may come to eat them. The brothers split up, going to an erupting volcano, an ice cave, and the moon. Kids will learn STEM concepts while listening to a familiar tale, with a twist ending that they won't see coming!
Written by Laurel Snyder
Illustrated by Dan Santat
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2022. Picture Book.Have you ever wished that you were living inside of a fairy tale? Now's your chance! In this choose-your-own-adventure-style story, you get do decide which path to take. Should you wear your red hood or your faux fur coat? Should you share grandma's cake with the dwarves and sleeping Snow White? Are you going to walk right past the candy house or take a nibble? You get to help Rosie through a seemingly unlimited supply of endings as you make decisions that will lead her to friendship or peril.
Written by Craig Barr-Green
Illustrated by Francis Martin
Tulsa, OK: Kane Miller, a division of EDC Publishing, 2024. Picture Book.When Gina Kaminski, a neurodivergent child who expresses her emotions using a feelings chart, hears the story of Little Red Riding Hood the ending makes her feel 😣. She notices that the girl and wolf made three big mistakes, so she travels to fairy-tale land to set about correcting them. After eating her grandmother's cake and sticking to the main road instead of going through a shortcut in the forest, Gina helps the wolf escape into a different book when the mean huntsman comes after him. This book is a great way to bring up neurodivergence or feelings in an accessible way that kids will love. They may even try to re-write some fairy tales of their own!
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2023. Picture Book.
In this book, reminiscent of the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, a greedy pea gobbles up everything in its path. After eating through many meals worth of food, he lays down to sleep, only to be met by the fate expected of him in The Princess and the Pea. Young kids will love the rhyming, musical text and older kids will sit at the edge of their seats waiting for the pea's demise.
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