Little Bookworm has a fascination with twisted fairy tales for kids, and stories about the children of fairy tale characters. She is a huge fan of Disney’s Descendants, and that inspired us to find other stories in the same theme. This list includes some of our favorite picture books and chapter books about twisted fairy tales.

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It’s Not the Three Little Pigs

Written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

In the latest addition to the It’s Not a Fairy Tale series by this team, readers are invited to follow the story of the 3 little pigs. As the narrator attempts to tell the familiar story, the FOUR little pigs interrupt with their own thoughts and questions. As the narrator tries to move the story forward, he is constantly interrupted and has to argue with the characters. The funny illustrations are full of quotes from the characters and ridiculous situations. Kids will love the hilarious spin on the classic tale and the way the pigs refuse to follow the narrator’s directions.

It’s Not Hansel and Gretel

Written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

This spin on the classic tale follows Hansel and Gretel as they get lost in the woods and stumble upon the gingerbread house of a witch. But in this version, Hansel and Gretel insist on arguing with the narrator and going against everything he says is supposed to happen. Kids will love the determination of Hansel and Gretel to remain positive and blissfully unaware throughout the story, and the hilarious illustrations throughout.

Related Post: Twisting Fairy Tales with It’s Not Hansel and Gretel

It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood

Written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

This hilarious retelling of the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood turns the tale on its head and points out the ridiculous parts of the story. As Little Red Riding Hood goes on a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother’s house, she argues with the narrator and disagrees with the direction of the story. Kids will love the ridiculous turn of the story and the visits from other fairy tale characters. The illustrations are full of hidden fairy tale creatures too!

Redlocks and the Three Bears

Written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda

This fairy tale mashup is told from the perspective of Baby Bear from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. When there is a knock on their door, it isn’t Goldilocks on the other side, but Little Red Riding Hood. Her arrival brings the Big Bad Wolf to their story, encouraging them to run with her from book to book trying to hide from him. But it turns out, the Big Bad Wolf may not be what he seems. The fun twist on the story is accompanied by adorable colored pencil illustrations.

The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story

Written by Jocelyn Watkinson and illustrated by Marcus Cutler

In this rhyming twist on the classic fairy tale, the 3 little pigs are finishing up hockey practice when they are cornered by the Big Bad Wolf. He chases them to their home in an effort to eat them, but has to call in some friends to help him. They decide to resolve their issues with a hockey game. The funny story and silly illustrations are full of Canadian charm.

Reading Beauty

Written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Meg Hunt

This intergalactic spin on the Sleeping Beauty tale follows a young princess named Lex who was cursed by a fairy as a baby to one day fall into a deep sleep from a deadly paper cut. When her parents want to remove all the books from their kingdom to protect her, Lex goes on a mission to reverse the curse and bring books back. Kids will enjoy the space themed setting and the adorable ending to the story, which celebrates the joy of books and reading.

Check out these printable fairy tale number order puzzles!

Jo Bright and the Seven Bots

Written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Meg Hunt

This space based spin on the Snow White fairy tale shares the story of Jo Bright, a bot building girl who loves creating and inventing. The robot building queen insists that she makes the best bots and creates a truth telling mirror-bot to declare her the best bot-builder. When the mirror-bot declares Jo as the best, the queen sends her off to the dreadful dragon’s lair, and Jo must find a way to use her creativity to survive. Kids will love the STEM loving main character and the way she uses her kindness and problem solving to save the day.

The Real Dada Mother Goose

Written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Julia Rothman

This treasury of ridiculousness takes six classic nursery rhymes and retells each in six different ways. The author was inspired by Dadaism’s rejection of reason and rational thinking, telling the stories of classic characters through anagrams, crossword puzzles, Morse code, and more. Kids may be inspired by the puzzles and codes to try them on their own.

Endlessly Ever After

Written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Dan Santat

This spin on fairy tales asks the reader to choose their own path through the stories. Each two page spread uses descriptive text to put the reader into the story, then asks them to make a decision on what to do next. When they make their choice, they are directed to turn to a different page. Each time the story is read, the reader can choose a different path. The illustrations use dark colors and spooky scenery to pull readers into the dark stories. This is a good choice for slightly older readers who won’t be frightened by the dark scenarios.

Whatever After

Written by Sarah Mlynowski

This chapter book series follows a young girl named Abby and her brother Jonah as they enter the worlds of different fairy tales through a magic mirror in their basement. As they interact with the characters, they end up changing the stories. Little Bookworm loves this series and the way that the stories take more of a girl power direction.

Related Post: Our Favorite Chapter Book Series about Magic

Ever After High

Written by Shannon Hale

This cute chapter book series follows the children of fairy tale legends at an enchanted boarding school named Ever After High. On Legacy Day, they are expected to sign the Storybook of Legends, dedicating themselves to the same fate as their parents, either villain or hero. When Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, decides not to sign, it sets off a series of events that could put everyone’s future in jeopardy.

The Land of Stories

Written by Chris Colfer

This chapter book series follows a pair of twins named Alex and Conner Bailey as they fall into their cherished book of fairy tale stories. As they meet the fairy tale characters that they have grown up reading about, they are thrown into an incredible adventure where they have to help save the fairy tale world.

The Sisters Grimm

Written by Michael Buckley and illustrated by Peter Ferguson

This chapter book series takes a darker look at fairy tales. The series follows orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne who find out that they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm. They also learn that their famous book of tales is actually a history book. As the last descendants, it is up to them to help their grandmother watch over the fairy tale characters who currently live in our world. This series is intense and full of magic and adventure, and it quickly became one of Little Bookworm’s favorites!

What are your favorite twisted fairy tales? Share in the comments below!

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