16 Favorite Folktales of All Time

Who loves to read folktales to their class?! Folktales are great because you can learn about different cultures and traditions. Most folktales teach some type of lesson that can be discussed with students. They make great interactive read-aloud stories for library time as well as in-class read-alouds. Typically in folktales, the main characters are animals or objects instead of people. The exact definition of a folktale is a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people. any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition. I made a list of my 16 favorite folktales of all time for you to check out for spring:

*Links to purchase the books are all affiliate links which means that if you purchase from that link I make a small commission for recommending it to you. Thank you!

Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci

Grade level: Preschool-Grade 3

Summary: Meet Cinderella Skeleton, as sweetly foul as only a ghoul can be. Poor Cinderella has no one to help her hang the cobwebs and arrange dead flowers–certainly not her evil stepsisters. But the Halloween Ball is just around the corner. . . . Will Cinderella find happiness at last?

Little Red Riding a Newfangled Prairie Tale by Lisa Ernst

Grade level: 2nd-5th

Summary: When Little Red Riding Hood sets off to deliver muffins to her grandmother, you can bet that a big bad wolf isn’t far behind! 

Set on the midwestern prairie, this is a “Little Red Riding Hood” that will captivate youngsters with its feisty heroines and bold humor. Especially to be relished is the way the storyline plays against the classic tale’s plot, with laugh-provoking lines that show true wit. As the dastardly wolf chuckles, appreciating his own schemes, the text soars, suspense builds, and vibrant pictures bring out all of the fun.

Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Grade level: preschool-Grade 3

Summary: This Caldecott Medal-winning, classic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most celebrated picture books of our time.

With characteristic flair and energy, award-winning artist Ed Young illustrates the ancient Chinese version of the favorite fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. Young’s vibrant, yet delicate, pastels and watercolors add drama to the deftly translated story.

The Wolf’s Story : What Really Happened to Little Red Riding Hood by Toby Forward

Grade level: preschool-grade 3

Summary: Little readers will love second-guessing this funny, fractured fairy tale that replays the story of Little Red Riding Hood from the poor maligned wolf’s point of view.

No, please. Look at me.

Would I LIE to you?

It was the old woman who started it.

Everyone knows there are at least two sides to every story, and if you believe in the big-eared, sharp-toothed villain of Little Red Riding Hood, there’s a logical explanation for everything. As our antihero tells it, it all starts with the helpful wolf doing odd jobs for Grandma (are you sure you don’t want to sit a little closer?). How was he to know that the spoiled Little Red would come along and ruin a good working relationship? Zooming in dramatically from strategic angles, the amusing illustrations offer visual clues that this is a story to be taken with a grain of salt — and a lot of giggling.

Pretty Salma : a Little Red Riding Hood story from Africa by Niki Daly

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: When Granny asks Pretty Salma to go to the market one day, she warns her not to talk to strangers. But cunning Mr. Dog tricks Salma, and before she knows it, he’s wearing her stripy ntama, her pretty white beads, and her yellow sandals. And he’s on his way to Granny’s house! African culture and flavor infuse this inventive retelling of a favorite fairy tale, and the vibrant lively illustrations bring it to life. The result is a story that combines new and old and spans cultures as successfully as it has spanned the centuries.

Hansel and Gretel Ninja Chicks by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: These ninja chicks are anything but chicken!

When Hensel and Gretel’s dad gets snatched by a fox, the sisters put their ninja skills to work to track him down before he can be stir-fried.

But are these two little chicks ready to take on a dark tangled forest, a tricky house made of cornbread, and an even trickier fox?

This plucky pair isn’t giving up without a fight! Kiya!

Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale.

Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? These three little pigs just aren’t going to take it from that bully anymore! The first starts aikido lessons—he’ll make mincemeat out of that wolf! His brother learns a little jujitsu–he’ll chop that guy to pieces!

But when the wolf actually appears, it turns out these two pigs aren’t quite ready after all. Good thing their sister has been training every day to master some serious karate moves that save the day. KIYA!

Goldilocks and the 3 Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

Grade level: preschool-Grade 1

Summary: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is a new take on the fairy-tale classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears, so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems, the author/illustrator of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the Elephant and Piggie series.

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.

One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

Definitely not!

The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges

Grade level: preschool- Grade 2

Summary: The story of the industrious Little Red Hen is not a new one, but when this particular hen spies a can of tomato sauce in her cupboard and decides to make a pizza, the familiar tale takes on a fresh new twist. Kids will love following along as the hen, with no help from her friends the duck, the dog, and the cat, goes through the steps of making a pizza-shopping for supplies, making the dough, and adding the toppings. But despite their initial resistance, the hen’s friends come through in the end and help out refreshingly and surprisingly.

Goldie and the Three Hares by Margie Palatini

Grade level: preschool- Grade 2

Summary: The Hare family—Papa, Mama, and Little Baby Hare—are enjoying a peaceful day in their rabbit hole until they hear a big THUMP outside their door. The thump is Goldilocks herself, who has fallen down the rabbit hole after being chased by the Three Bears.

(I think you know why those bears were chasing her.)

The Hare family is happy to help the girl, who has hurt her foot. But as you might imagine, Goldie is not a very good house guest. She is tough to please since every chair is too hard, too soft, or otherwise not just right. 

(If you were the Hares, you might agree that Goldilocks is loud, obnoxious, and demanding.)

But when Goldie is finally comfy-cozy in the Hares’ rabbit hole, how are they ever going to get her to leave?

The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist

Grade level: preschool- Grade 1

Summary: A hilarious retelling of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, with foil on the cover!

“Little fish, little fish, let me come in.”Not by the skin of my finny fin fin!” “Then I’ll munch, and I’ll crunch, and I’ll smash your house in!” Mama tells her three little fish that it’s time to make their own homes. Jim builds his house of seaweed, but the big bad shark munches it up. Tim builds his house of sand, but the shark crunches it up. It’s smart Kim who sets up house in an old sunken ship! Children will delight in this silly story with funny, eye-popping illustrations.

The Wolf Who Cried Boy by Bob Hartman

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: Little Wolf is tired of his mom’s cooking! It’s the same old thing night after night, Lamburgers and Sloppy Does. How he wishes his mother would serve up a nice platter of his favorite dish and a 150lb Boy! But Boy is hard to come by these days. As Little Wolf trudges home from school one day, he decides to postpone his boring dinner by shouting “Boy! Boy!” But what will happen when a real boy finally comes along? In this hilarious twisted tale, Little Wolf learns the same timeless lesson that the boy who cried “Wolf!” did so many years ago.

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot by Scott Magoon

Grade level: preschool- Grade 3

Summary: He’s big. He’s funny. He’s not real. Or IS he?

This clever twist on “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is told from the point of view of an unexpected narrator and, through snappy text and lighthearted illustrations, demonstrates the value of telling the truth, the importance of establishing trust, and (of course!) the possibility that a beast you created to get attention can become a real-life friend.

Raven: a Trickster Tale from the Pacific Southeast by Gerald McDermott

Grade level: preschool- Grade 3

Summary: 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!

Anansi and the Talking Melon by Eric Kimmel

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: When Anansi the Spider gets stuck in a melon, he decides to pass his time by doing what he’s best at—tricking the other animals around him.

When his melon begins talking, Elephant is so impressed he decides to take it to show the king.  But Anansi can’t resist the opportunity to make jokes at the expense of everyone they meet. Even the King loses his temper over Anansi’s bold remarks—but how will the Spider free himself? 

Anansi’s quick thinking will delight readers who love to watch a master trickster at work, and the bold illustrations of the animals’ frustrated faces are sure to make kids laugh.  

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aaderma

Grade level: Kindergarten- Grade 3

Summary: “In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. “Elegance has become the Dillons’ hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema’s uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece.”

Here is a longer folktale book list you can download for FREE! It even includes a fun worksheet to share with your students.

What is your favorite folktale? Let me know in the comments below!

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