Traditional tales of the world

Carefully prepared for readers ages 3 to 7, this beautiful list of picture books features traditional tales (folktales, myths/origin stories, legends, fables and tall tales) that draw on the storytelling traditions of China, Vietnam, Mali, and beyond.

Traditional tales have been passed down through generations by every culture across the globe. For young readers, these stories offer a glimpse into lives, landscapes, beliefs and experiences often different from their own, yet rooted in common human experiences of love, kindness, courage, loss, perseverance and awe and wonder. Reading traditional tales is an excellent way to broaden children’s cultural knowledge, deepen their understanding of narrative structure, and develop their moral reasoning skills.

Alongside retellings of time-old tales, this captivating list includes modern stories written in a folk-tale or mythical style. Whether it’s a story of a brave Moon goddess or a lyrical explanation of why stars are in the sky, each book invites children to enjoy a gloriously entertaining tale, brought to life through vivid, culturally rich illustration.

For more traditional tales, check out our fairy-tale booklist.