Twisted fairy tales

Snow White in New York

We all know children love fairy tales, however there's only so many times you can read the same tale (hopefully).

Here's a list of some of our favourite twisted fairy tales - fun and anarchic new takes on traditional stories.

  • Fearless Fairy Tales

    Author: Konnie Huq and James Kay Illustrator: Rikin Parekh

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Fearless Fairy Tales

    Author: Konnie Huq and James Kay Illustrator: Rikin Parekh

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 7+

    A hilarious, subversive collection of thoroughly modern fairy tales reflecting a new morality inspired by 21st century issues.

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  • Into the Forest

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 8+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Into the Forest

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 8+

    Reading age: 8+

    One night a young boy is awoken by a terrible noise. The next day he finds his father has disappeared and his mother doesn't know …

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  • Gotcha!

    Author: Clotilde Perrin Translator: Daniel Hahn

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Gotcha!

    Author: Clotilde Perrin Translator: Daniel Hahn

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

    Look out! Three fearsome monsters are coming to gobble you up! Hide inside the houses of the three little pigs, Hansel and Gretel …

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  • Revolting Rhymes

    Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Revolting Rhymes

    Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 7+

    This is an hilarious collection of some well-loved fairy tales, cleverly reinvented by Roald Dahl.

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  • Where Magic Grows

    Author: Onjali Q Rauf Illustrator: Katarzyna Doszla

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Where Magic Grows

    Author: Onjali Q Rauf Illustrator: Katarzyna Doszla

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 7+

    Short stories perfect for bedtime reading. 

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  • Prince Cinders

    Author: Babette Cole

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

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  • Prince Cinders

    Author: Babette Cole

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

    Prince Cinders leads a hard life, bullied by his three big hairy brothers - that is, until one Saturday night when Cinders' luck c…

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  • Goldilocks on CCTV

    Author: John Agard Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Goldilocks on CCTV

    Author: John Agard Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 8+

    By turns funny, poignant and insightful Agard’s poems are told with a direct and distinctive voice

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  • Ella

    Author: Alex T. Smith

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Ella

    Author: Alex T. Smith

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 6+

    An original take on the Cinderella story featuring a specs-wearing ladybird

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  • The Princess and the Peas

    Author: Caryl Hart Illustrator: Sarah Warburton

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • The Princess and the Peas

    Author: Caryl Hart Illustrator: Sarah Warburton

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

    In this light-hearted take on a favourite fairy-tale, Lily-Rose May is allergic to peas - so the doctor decides that she must be a…

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  • Charming!

    Author: Michaela Morgan

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Charming!

    Author: Michaela Morgan

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

    In this 21st century take on the Cinderella story, our heroine is shy, lonely and embarassed - until new girl Charmaine encourages…

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  • Once Upon a Wild Wood

    Author: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Once Upon a Wild Wood

    Author: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 6+

    A brand-new fairytale character, Little Green Rain Cape, sets off through the wild woods on her way to Rapunzel’s birthday party.&…

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  • Goldilocks

    Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Jessica Ahlberg

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Goldilocks

    Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Jessica Ahlberg

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

    Favourite author Allan Ahlberg retells the favourite story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in a host of different ways in this d…

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  • The Sleeper and the Spindle

    Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • The Sleeper and the Spindle

    Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 8+

    This magnificent book combines two well-known fairy tales and challenges everything familiar about them. A spectacular book that d…

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  • Hansel & Gretel

    Author: Bethan Woollvin

    Interest level: 5-7

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Hansel & Gretel

    Author: Bethan Woollvin

    Interest level: 5-7

    Reading age: 5+

    Willow is a good witch, and it’s the horrendously naughty Hansel and Gretel who wreck her house and her magic spells. A delig…

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