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Once Upon a Read
Fairy Tales and Folklore Summer 2026 |
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The Big Bad Wolf Murder
by P. G. Bell
A quick read fantasy novel by the author of the Train to Impossible Places series about a girl accused of killing a famous wolf and forced to solve his murder while on the run, inspired by the story of Little Red Riding Hood!
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The Invincible List of Lani Li
by Veeda Bybee
When thirteen-year-old Lani Li's elite performance band is chosen to perform in London, she finds inspiration from her brother and the Eight Invincible Brothers from Chinese fables, and creates a list of challenges to help her overcome her fears and find her own inner strength.
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Stellar Stories for Boys of the Future
by Francesca Cavallo
From the New York Times bestselling author of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes a bold new collection of original fairy tales that reimagine boyhood as a space full of adventure, compassion, curiosity, and heart.
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Don't Eat the Birthday Boy! by Donna Barba HigueraThe friendly monster El Cucuy reunites with Ramâon at his birthday party where they must fend off other boogeymen from across the realms.
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The Night We Got Stuck in a Story
by Ben Miller
Lana and Harrison are staying with their grandparents, when they discover their favourite tree to play in is under threat. That night, a magical golden thread leads them up through the hollow of the tree into a storybook land, where wind and rain rage and a fearsome beast terrifies all who live there. And when Harrison is kidnapped by the evil Queen, Lana must do whatever it takes to find him, save the villagers and restore the balance of the storybook world, before the night is out.
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Outlaw: The True Story of Robin Hood
by Michael Morpurgo
Homeless and lost in a dark, strange forest, young Robin Hood is rescued by a motley crew of misfits. He yearns to avenge his father and seek justice against cruel oppressors, to finally defeat the Sheriff of Nottingham, once and for all. And through his friends, Robin Hood finds the courage to become a legendary hero.
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Maggie and the Story Shadows
by Annabelle Oh
Thirteen-year-old Maggie and her friends investigate her mother's disappearance and discover a world where stories are real.
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Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales
by Gregory Maguire
What if Sleeping Beauty were actually a frog princess, cursed forever to weep, sleep...and leap? Or the Three Chickens had to outwit Goldiefox? What if Cinder-Elephant had the chance to attend the ball of her dreams--can she bake her way to meeting a dashing prince? Zany animals of all species get their own fairy tale endings in these laugh-out-loud twists on the classics from Gregory Maguire, bestselling author of Wicked.
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Sabrena Swept Away
by Karuna Riazi
A descendant of the legendary sailor Sinbad, young Sebrena has always been drawn to the sea and finds herself living out the stories from One Thousand and One Nights.
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Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi
by Angie Thomas
All of Nic's dreams have come true. After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, she now has everything she'd ever wanted: certified hero status, a big family and a real home in the hidden city of Uhuru, and a chance to develop her Gift at a school for young Manifestors like her. So life is perfect, right? Not quite. Her-favorite-author-turned-vengeful-outcast wants to destroy her. Then there's the terrifying secret prophecy that still threatens Nic's future, and the dangerous new power she seems to have--one she cannot control. And that's all before she encounters a cult of mysterious Manifestors who threaten to reveal the truth about her power and prophecy unless Nic delivers to them a legendary artifact, the Book of Anansi. There's just one small complication: no one knows if it still exists, or where it could be hidden.
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The Cloud Kingdom by Máire ZepfAn archipelago of eight interconnecting stories and fables filled with the fantastical and a love of the craft of storytelling. When Nancy's cat Pangur is stolen by the Faery people, she finds herself striking a deal like no other: she is now the one-and-only storyteller for the Faery Kingdom. So starts Máire Zepf's enchanting story collection, reminiscent of fairytales and fables of past and present, but entirely new. From ghost dragons to magical hats and a dream-weaving giantess, these are tales that awaken the senses and manage to connect with each other in a way reminiscent of 1001 Arabian Nights, perfect for voracious readers and bedtime story consumers alike.
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Ilustra: Daybreaker: Book 1
by Tori Tadiar
Mika doesn't fit in at the prestigious Ateneum Academy in Manila, but when a moth speaks to her in her grandmother's voice, Mika begins manifesting powers and casting spells that get her into trouble. She soon learns to trust new friends and try to make sense of what her budding powers mean for her and for the world.
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The Fairy Tale Fixers: Cinderella: A Graphic Novel
by Deborah Underwood
Fairy and Mouse will forever change young readers' perspectives on stepmothers, princes, and pumpkins as they help Cinderella set things right when her carriage veers off course.
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Beauty and the Beast (Plus Jake): An Untraditional Graphic Novel
by Jasmine Walls
After Jake magically falls into the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale he becomes in awe of Belle's kindness and the Beast's demanding and rude attitude, but when he calls out the Beast on his terrible behavior he learns things about how he could become a better person, too. Also available in Spanish
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Juvenile Nonfiction & Folklore Collections
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What Is the Story of Cinderella?
by Dana Meachen Rau
Did you know that the first version of Cinderella's story was written two thousand years ago in Greece? It was about a young woman named Rhodopis and her missing sandal. Since then, many versions of this fairy tale have been written featuring a poor girl whose kindness led to her dreams coming true. China, Italy, France, and Germany all have distinct versions of Cinderella's story that author Dana Rau explains within this exciting nonfiction book for fans of the beloved princess. Fans will also get to know the many different actresses who have brought Cinderella to life, including Brandy Norwood, Julie Andrews, Drew Barrymore, and Anne Hathaway.
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What Do We Know about Dragons?
by Ben Hubbard
Are dragons fact or legend? Find out everything we know about the history of these magical and mythical creatures. Are dragons winged, fire-breathing beasts or water gods who promise good luck? Across the globe, legends of dragons have varied greatly. Stories and images of dragons can be traced back to the ancient worlds of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. From Norway to Korea, send your curiosity into flight and learn all we know about these mysterious creatures in this exciting book for young readers!
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Grayhawk's Native American Folktales
by Grayhawk Perkins
Grayhawk's Native American Folktales is a vibrant and heartfelt collection of stories from beloved Houma/Choctaw storyteller Grayhawk Perkins. Drawing from traditional Indigenous oral traditions and infused with his own creative voice, Perkins brings to life a cast of animal characters--Deer, Rabbit, Bobcat, Turtle, Snake, and more--whose adventures reflect timeless lessons about pride, generosity, survival, and community. These tales, rooted in the natural world, offer insights into human behavior and cultural values, while creation stories explain how the world came to be--from the diligent Crawfish to the origin of skunk stripes and the white opossum. Written for children ages 7 to 12 but crafted to charm readers of all ages, this collection celebrates the enduring power of storytelling and the wisdom of Native American traditions. With warmth, humor, and reverence, Perkins invites readers to listen deeply and learn from the voices of the past.
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The Faerie Isle: Tales and Traditions of Ireland's Forgotten Folklore
by Síne Quinn
Watch for seal-skinned selkies coming to shore every ninth day to dance-but keep a safe distance, lest you become mesmerized. If you spy a fair mermaid combing her hair whilst sitting upon a rock, look away, as that could be bad luck indeed. And legend has it that just one encounter with the silver-tongued fairy known as the Charmer may leave a person lovesick and heartbroken. This gorgeous book offers illuminating introductions to fifteen remarkable fairies, the lesser-known heroes and villains of Irish folklore, from tiny leprechauns to enormous giants, trickster spirits to slippery shape-shifters.
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How to Spot a Mermaid: A Field Guide to Magical Sea People
by Sarah Glenn Marsh
A vibrant, illustrated guide to the mermaids and sea creatures living in the oceans, rivers, and streams (yes, really!) around the world. Complete with interactive quizzes and activities, this field guide will sweep you away on an underwater adventure!
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