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If You Like... Folktales

By Suzanne
Folktales have long carried the wisdom, imagination, and traditions of cultures around the world by passing stories from one generation to the next. They often weave together important life lessons with magical creatures or daring adventures. Books, like the ones on this list, bring these age-old tales to life for today’s readers. Each story is rooted in its own cultural heritage and offers a glimpse into the values of the people who first told them. They remind us that storytelling is a powerful way to connect us across time and place.

The Three-Year Tumble
By Dayeon Auh
New York: NorthSouth Books, 2025. Picture Book.

Based on a beloved Korean folktale, a superstitious grandfather and his thoughtful granddaughter turn the legend of Misfortune Mountain on its head. According to the myth, anyone who falls down the mountain has only 3 years left to live! Together, this family learns how changing your mindset can make a positive impact on your life.

The Salt Princess
By Anoosha Syed
New York: Harper, 2025. Picture Book.

The Salt Princess is a retelling of a Pakistani folktale. Princess Amal surprises her father when she declares her love for him “as plain and simple as the salt on this table.” This greatly offends her father and he banishes her from the kingdom. After many adventures Princess Amal seeks to mend her relationship with her father through a clever prank meant to reveal the true value of her words. Readers learn the value of sincerity over empty praise.

The Bears and the Magic Masks
Written by Joseph Dandurand
Illustrated by Elinor Atkins
Gibsons, British Columbia: Nightwood Editions, 2024. Picture Book.

The Bears and the Magic Masks celebrates Indigenous folklore. A master carver falls into a river and is rescued by the bears with whom the Kwantlen people have coexisted peacefully.  As thanks, the carver gives the bears beautiful animal masks — eagle, raven, coyote, wolf, and Sasquatch — which the bears do not realize are magical. When the bears put on the masks, they transform into the animals represented, gaining their powers to fly, howl, dance, and more. It highlights the importance of gratitude and reciprocity between humans and animals. 

The Fairy Queen
Written by Chrissy Donoghue Ward
Illustrated by Monika Mitkute
Dublin: Little Island Books in partnership with Skein Press, 2025. Picture Book.

This picture book is rooted in the oral storytelling tradition of the Irish Traveller community. It is a whimsical tale that follows a young girl who discovers a hidden world of fairies ruled by a wise and graceful queen. Through magical encounters and gentle guidance, the Fairy Queen teaches lessons about courage, kindness, and believing in the unseen wonders around us. 

Ancient Night
Written by David Bowles
Illustrated by David Alvarez
Monclair, NJ: Levine Querido, 2023. Picture Book.

Ancient Night reimagines several Nahuatl legends from Mesoamerica. It tells the story of how the moon’s glow was maintained and how fire came to light the day. Rabbit takes care of the moon by gathering glowing aguamiel (nectar from the maguey plant) so the moon stays luminous. When Opossum steals some of it, darkness takes hold. Opossum journeys to restore the light and earn his new role as a guardian. It reminds readers that true harmony often comes when individuals act with generosity and courage, even if it requires personal sacrifice.
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