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Under the spell of a vengeful fairy, Princess Aurora sleeps for a hundred years until she is awakened by the kiss of her true love. Lush illustrations place this retelling of the familiar story in a dramatic Baroque-like setting, rich in detail and suspense.

Uriko is small but brave, determined, and smart. In fact, she saves the town’s children when they are kidnapped by hungry oni, the ogres of Japanese lore whose favorite food is baby belly buttons. This lively retelling of a traditional Japanese folktale reads aloud well and is complemented by the illustrations, which call to mind the tale’s Asian origin.

Recommended by Michelle – Not only was this one of my favorite children’s books, it was also a favorite of my former students. This story leaves you hanging to the edge of your seat because of the many surprises found throughout. I also enjoy the very clever characters. Even though they find themselves in many sticky situations, they always find ways to escape.

Princess Elizabeth saves the kingdom (and the prince) from a fire-breathing dragon – and is told by the ungrateful Prince Roland that she looks a mess. The princess shows her stuff as she strikes out on her own, leaving the prince in the dust. A light touch and plenty of humor make this parody successful and its message clear.

Often as children grow up, they “stop hearing their toys,” as did the girl who made the paper princess. So the wind whisks Princess off on a magical journey, ultimately carrying her to a new home where she can once again be loved by a little girl. Highly detailed illustrations are used in this sequel to The Paper Princess, though each book stands on its own.

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story explains how a prince can identify royalty: a real princess can feel a single pea even when covered by twenty mattresses! Soft illustrations depict an elegant setting with regal appointments.

In this outrageous send-up of well-known fairy tales (especially “The Princess and the Pea”), Princess Pauline passes all the necessary tests to win Prince Drupert, including inventing the pizza. She decides, however, that her real talent is as a chef, and so she leaves the prince to open her own pizza parlor. Exaggerated illustrations add to the comical tone of this parody.

This book takes a fresh look at an old and favorite story. In thirty-three poems it brings to life not only the voices of well-loved characters, but also voices of characters not usually heard from – including the glass slipper, without which the story would not have a happy ending. On the stage set by the story we hear each player tell the tale from their point of view, answering the questions that swirl around Cinderella.

The incomparable author and illustrator team retells traditional tales such as the “Gingerbread Man” and the “Little Red Hen” in inventive and hilarious ways, sure to make readers familiar with the originals laugh out loud. Even the traditional format of the book is changed to suit the absurdity of the new versions, for a memorable reading experience.

Distinct stories which involve a mouse, a human princess, and a rat seamlessly come together to surprise and absorb readers as they see the struggle between light and dark in this Newbery-winning novel. (2004 Newbery Nedal Winner)

What would life be like without benefit of the vowel ‘O’? That’s just what the people of Ooroo must cope with when despotic, O-hating pirates take over their island. Wordplay makes the humorous, original tale even funnier in this classic tale by James Thurber.

Based on an ancient Chinese story (which pre-dates European versions), a girl overcomes her wicked stepmother to marry the prince. When Ye-Shen is forbidden to attend the annual Spring Festival, a powerful spirit grants her a gown of azure blue and delicate golden slippers. That night, everyone marvels at the beautiful, mysterious young woman at the ball. Jewel-like illustrations by Caldecott medalist Ed Young bring this variation of the classic tale to life.
Country of origin: China

There’s a saying that “slow but steady wins the race.” In this richly illustrated book, the saying is recast as a Tibetan tale about a boy and his reliable yak and an impatient rider on a speedy horse, both on their way to the holy city of Lhasa.

Left alone to graze, Borreguita outsmarts the fierce coyote who thinks the small lamb would be a tasty lunch. This tale from Ayutla, Mexico, is retold with sly humor and illustrated with dramatic, full color illustrations.

No one would want to meet a greedy cat like this! A very hungry and especially greedy cat eats a series of animals and people — “Gobble, gobble, slip, slop” — until clever crabs help them all find a way out. A quite contrite cat promises never to be greedy again in this lively and handsomely illustrated retelling of a traditional tale.

Three little dragons in a far-off cave are having a hard time falling asleep. It’s the Good Knight to the rescue, with glasses of water, bedtime stories and songs, and goodnight kisses to lull the beasts to sleep.

A head by itself can’t do much – until he meets arms, body, and legs. Together they discover how delicious life can be. Bold colors and broad forms help create the humor in this engaging creation story from the author’s Dan tribe of Liberia.

Vulture is sick and tired of Jabuti’s trickery. He gets his revenge when he flies the tortoise high in the air, then drops him, breaking his shell. But Jabuti puts himself together and comes out on top — with the help of the birds of the rainforest. How those birds got their colorful plumage is vividly explained in this brilliantly colored and well-told tale.

When Possum comes a-knockin’ at their door, each member of the family takes a turn stopping their daily routines to see who is interrupting them. But the clever offender — a long tailed possum with top hat and vest — stays out of sight. This funny, rhyming, and cumulative tale with a distinct southern lilt is sure to twist tongues and create a smile.

Alice McGill retells the tales she heard growing up in North Carolina with the verve and informality of a storyteller. Some are familiar, others are less well known, but all involve Bruh (Brer) Rabbit and his companions from the lore of the southern United States.

The fun begins when Tricky Fox makes a bet with his brother that he can trick a silly human into giving him a pig. “I’ll eat my hat if you can,” says his brother, and Tricky Fox sets off to win the bet. The endearingly antique pictures add to the merriment, especially when the conniving fox winks at readers, drawing them into his joke.

Vivid colors depict the Haitian setting for a tale in which a goat uses the banza, a banjo, given to him by a tiger, for protection in an unforeseen way. The traditional tale is retold in a way ideal for sharing aloud, and is complemented by expressive illustrations.

Run, run, run just as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man! After escaping the kitchen, the Gingerbread Man taunts a number of animals until he is eaten by a wily fox. But don’t worry about this Gingerbread Man, he’ll come back when you make your own gingerbread cookies!

Old Pat is on his way to a contest that will name the finest harpist in all of Ireland. On the way, his ill-spirited companion, Young Tom, begins to scheme for his own victory. But thanks to Old Pat’s willingness to come to the aid of a fellow traveler, a mischievous leprechaun intervenes, ensuring that both Pat and Tom are appropriately repaid for their actions.