The Best Modern Fairy Tales for Kids

Reading classics like Cinderella, Pocahontas, and Beauty and the Beast was a nightly occurrence while I was growing up. These fairy tales set the tone for my views on family, love, and individuality and taught me valuable lessons. But, as times evolve, so do fairy tales.

Although modern fairy tales still address timeless themes and concepts, they also represent more of an inclusive and diverse cast, as well as touch on issues that are relevant to contemporary society.

“Modern fairy tales can introduce young minds to a world of enchantment and possibility,” explains Rachel Wellner, MD, MPH, FACS, a board-certified general surgeon and author of Doctoroo, a children’s health education series. "These stories serve as powerful tools for imparting valuable life lessons on courage, perseverance, and kindness."

These stories often feature relatable child protagonists who overcome challenges, which helps young readers develop a sense of agency and resilience and digest information in an interactive manner. In order to ensure the right lessons are being learned, parents can be part of this experience.

“I always recommend parents write a list of the most important values to them and then read through the many modern fairy tales and assess if they are present in a way that resonates,” explains Scott Lyons, PhD, psychologist, author, and host of The Gently Used Human podcast.

Of course, with most onscreen and digital consumption, parents should be considerate about whether the content is appropriate for their age. Dr. Lyons notes it’s never too early to be transferring wisdom to your children, but it’s a good idea to read the suggested age range to ensure the language and graphics of the book are acceptable. 

Here is a list of modern fairy tales to add to your children’s reading list.

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

Written by Natasha Yim, this fairy tale offers a delightful twist on the classic Goldilocks tale; it's set in a Chinese-American household in a bustling Chinatown. The story teaches children about cultural diversity and the importance of understanding and respecting others' traditions. It also incorporates elements of Chinese culture and traditions which is a great way for young readers and families to become better acquainted with a different region. 

Best for ages: 4-8

Moana's Fairy-Tale Friendship: Our Perfect Stormy Day

Inspired by Polynesian mythology, Moana is an adventurous tale written by Disney that follows a young girl named Moana as she embarks on a journey to save her island. This specific book is based on what happens when a storm hits the island and how Moana, Heihei, and Pua head to Gramma Tala’s for story time and enjoy the perfect stormy day. The story emphasizes the value of courage, determination, and environmental stewardship.

Best for ages: 5-8

Tangled

Tangled (also a movie) is the reimagined story of Rapunzel, a young princess with long, magical hair who has spent her entire life locked up in a tower. This updated version from the classic tale follows how she discovers the outside world when a thief named Flynn Rider stumbles upon her.

Authored by Disney, it's a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and self-discovery. With its charming characters and lessons about inner strength and independence, it appeals to older children.

Best for ages: 6-8

The Little Red Gliding Hood

In The Little Red Gliding Hood, author Tara Lazar puts a fresh spin on the classic Little Red Riding Hood story, which, as everyone likely knows, is about a girl who visits her grandmother's house and encounters a wolf on her way. However, this reinvented version is set in a winter wonderland and follows a young girl who wants to enter an ice skating competition, but doesn’t have a partner.

This charming tale combines ice skating and adventure and makes reference to classic fairy tales, but ultimately teaches children the importance of perseverance.

Best for ages: 2-5

The Girl and The Wolf

The Girl and The Wolf by Katherena Vermette offers a modern take on traditional Indigenous storytelling. While picking berries with her mother, the story’s protagonist wanders off into the woods and becomes lost. A large wolf uses his sense of smell to find her; in their conversations, she realizes she possesses all the knowledge and skills to find her way home.

This captivating tale explores themes of courage, resilience, and the interconnectedness of all living things and serves as a meaningful introduction to Indigenous culture and values.

Best for ages: 3-5

Prince & Knight

Prince & Knight  by Daniel Haack presents a heartwarming love story between a prince and a knight after the duo battle a dragon threatening the kingdom. At the conclusion of the book, the two wed with full support of the community. This fairy tale promotes themes of acceptance, diversity, and the power of love, regardless of gender and is a rare book that shows LGBTQ+ representation.

Best for ages: 4-8

The Rough-Face Girl

The Rough-Face Girl is a retelling of a Native American folktale by Rafe Martin that is set among the Algonquin Indian tribes of North America. The storyline follows a young girl who is scarred from working by the fire, and similar to the classic Cinderella tale, she has two beautiful, yet cruel sisters who mistreat her. This poignant story emphasizes inner beauty and strength over outward appearances and encourages young readers to focus on being kind to everyone. 

Best for ages: 4-8

Pattan's Pumpkin: An Indian Flood Story

This fairy tale, written by Chitra Soundar, follows a captivating story that is inspired by Indian folklore and takes readers on a journey to the lush and vibrant landscape of the Western Ghats, where a humble farmer named Pattan resides. Pattan is known for his bountiful pumpkin patch, but his most extraordinary adventure begins when a flood threatens his entire village.

As the floodwaters rise, Pattan's unwavering determination and resourcefulness shine through. He discovers a giant pumpkin, afloat in the rising waters, and rescues it. He doesn’t realize it but the pumpkin is actually magical. Pattan’s Pumpkin is an important insight into ecological issues and the need for sustainable practices which children can learn early on.

Best for ages: 4-8