Updated fairy-tale picture books

Fairy tales have long been an important part of young children’s reading diets and development. Not only do they allow children to explore what is true or morally right or wrong, within a safe fantasy setting, but their dilemma plots also support problem-solving, prediction, and empathy, as well as a wide range of other skills.

Fairy tales are also a worldwide phenomenon, and by reading tales from around the world, children can develop an understanding of different cultures and perspectives.

This superb, diverse list of modern fairy-tale picture books offers a fresh twist on modern classics like ‘The Paper Bag Princess’, as well as updated versions of older European tales, including ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, and ‘The Snow Queen’.

These beautifully illustrated, updated stories bring familiar magic to life for 21st-century young readers, filled with diverse heroes, new lessons and plenty of adventure. Every book on this list is inclusive, featuring brown, East Asian or neurodivergent main characters; LGBTQIA+ representation; challenges to gender or beauty stereotypes; or by depicting the reimagined fairy tales within non-Western/non-European settings.