Top 10 Fairy Tale Books for Kids

Best Children’s Fairy Tale Books

These top 10 fairy best children’s fairy tale books allow your little ones to step into a dream-like world populated by princes and princesses, talking animals and gingerbread men, hulking beasts and wicked queens, elves and goblins, mermaids, and other fantastical creatures. Seemingly-endless fairy tales are out there, including classics written by the Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Anderson among other authors. These tales often come with a message to help children understand the importance of kindness, compassion, and respect for others.

Here you will find fantastic collections to read with your children, including An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales, A First Book of Fairy Tales by Mary Hoffman, and You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman. Whether you read these stories before bedtime, give them to your kids prior to long car rides, or any other time, you are providing your little ‘uns with the opportunity to escape into beautiful worlds of imagination.

What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best fairy tale books was created by real moms and educators who enjoyed these books themselves or taught them in class. Numerous types and themes of books are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated

For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality book options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.  Al,so note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.


What’s Here:

1. A First Book of Fairy Tales by Mary Hoffman
2. The Fairy Tale Book: Classic Tales from Childhood by Liz Scoggins
3. Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky
4. The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt
5. An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales
6. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman
7. The Classic Treasury of Aesop’s Fables by Don Daily
8. Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery and Fairy Tales Collection
9. Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson
10. Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales


1. A First Book of Fairy Tales by Mary Hoffman

Ages: 8 – 12

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First up in 2017 for the top 10 fairly tale books for kids is A First Book of Fairy Tales by Mary Hoffman.

The First Book of Fairy Tales is exactly what the title suggests. There are 14 classics, collected into a detailed, beautifully illustrated volume. It combines well-known stories, like The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel, with lesser-known tales, like The Selfish Giant.

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2. The Fairy Tale Book: Classic Tales from Childhood by Liz Scoggins

Ages: 8 and up

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The Fairy Tale Book: Classic Tales from Childhood by Liz Scoggins comes in second among the “best of” on the list this year.

Another timeless collection.

This book brings together 12 classics, like The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rumpelstiltskin, and Cinderella.

There are also a few lesser-known stories from both Andersen and The Brother Grimm, like The Brave Little Tailor and The Wild Swans.

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3. Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky

Ages: 5 – 8

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Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky comes in third on the list.

One of the best from The Brothers Grimm, this classic is about a lovely woman who wants nothing more than to marry the prince and have a beautiful family. She meets an elfin man who grants her wish for the promise of her firstborn child. Can you remember his name?

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4. The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt

Ages: 4 – 8

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Also making the ranks of the ten best fairy tale books for children in 2017 – The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt.

The Gingerbread Man is another classic, but this one has been written in an easier-to-read format for beginner readers. In this story, the fresh-baked gingerbread man runs and runs as fast as he can…until he meets a clever, hungry fox.

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5. An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Ages: 6 – 9

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Also making it to the list of the best kids’ fairy tale books 2017- An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales.

I looove the illustrations in this classic, beautiful Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales. Everyone knows the tales of The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Snow Queen, but few know the non-Disney versions. These are must-reads for imaginative bookworms.

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6. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

Ages: 5 – 8

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You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman also makes its mark among the top kids’ fairy tale books this year.

When my son was 5-months-old, I read and reread this story to him. He loved the colorful pictures, and would reach for the fairytale creatures, cooing the whole time. I took that as a sign that he would indeed be a bookworm. I love the back-and-forth reading in this book.

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7. The Classic Treasury of Aesop’s Fables by Don Daily

Ages: 6 and up

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Next up on our list for 2017- The Classic Treasury of Aesop’s Fables by Don Daily.

Fables are life lessons in the forms of classic stories. These famous tales have been passed down through generations to warn, encourage, inspire, and excite children and adults alike. My favorites from this illustrated collection are The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs and The Frogs Who Desired a King.

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8. Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery and Fairy Tales Collection

Ages: 4 – 8

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Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery and Fairy Tales Collection is another promising addition to popular children’s fairy tale books this year.

Learning nursery tales was a major accomplishment when I was a kid. I remember reciting rhymes to my Kindergarten teacher. She would reward me with a sticker if I memorized it correctly. One of the best childhood memories, for sure. This collection includes traditional favorites, like The Little Red Hen.

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9. Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson

Ages: 7 – 10

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Next – at #9 on the list – Classic Fairy Tales by Scott Gustafson.

The illustrations in this book of Classic Fairy Tales are wow-worthy. The stories are brilliant, of course, but the illustrator spent over four years painting 75 special, specific masterpieces for the 10 fairy tales. Now that is dedication and passion!

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10. Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Ages: 5 and up

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And – 2017’s final among the top ten children’s fairy tale books is Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales.

From Puffin Classics (one of the best publishers), this book collects a dozen favorites from Hans Christian Andersen.

The stories are coupled with gorgeous illustrations, especially The Little Mermaid and Thumbelina.

Plus, the introduction is a beautiful tribute to Andersen.

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