Boys hear the words “fairy tale” and their gut reaction is “ewww that’s for girls!” Boys don’t want to read about princesses…they’re all about the gross stuff, the creepy pictures, the jokes about bodily functions. I’ve been reading to 4 younger brothers for years and sometimes it can be tricky finding a book both of us like. Here are some of my favorite fairy tale books that boys will LOVE!
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs - A. Wolf by Jon Scieszka.
We’re all familiar with the story of the 3 little pigs…but have you ever heard the wolf’s side of the story? A. Wolf tells us, through Jon Scieszka, the true story about how he only wanted to borrow a cup of sugar from the pigs so he could make his grandmother a cake. What about all that huffing and puffing, you ask? Well, he just had a cold. Check out this book to hear The Three Little Pigs in a way you’ve never heard it before. Whose side of the story do you believe?
BONUS TIP: Paul Mesner Puppets is presenting The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs April 3-28. Buy tickets now!
Hansel and Diesel by David Gordon
Your little man won’t read anything without cars, trucks, and other such types of transportation. Sound familiar? Well here’s a fairy tale book for you! As you might guess from the title, David Gordon tells the story of Hansel and Gretel using cars and a junkyard setting. Entertaining for kiddos and parents, this has been one of my go-to books to recommend for years!
Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
Unofficial book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3fXDFwjkv0
I featured Waking Beauty last week …and this is another winner from the same author. In Falling for Rapunzel the princess can’t quite hear what the prince is shouting…so when he says the classic line, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair!” She throws down…her underwear! The mistakes vary from pancake batter to a prize swine…so boys (and girls) will be rolling with laughter throughout the book and everyone will be surprised by the twist at the end!
Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose by Nancy Gow
Unofficial book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwybF3cYEBM
With all the books out there about being kind and not judging people based on looks…this is one of my all-time favorites. In it, a princess with gigantic feet (How big, you ask? Well, she doesn’t need skis) and a prince with a nose like a barn teach us how to love people by looking at their heart rather than their physical attributes. I love how this book teaches a lesson without being preachy. This book might be too “girly” for some boys…but the sing-song lines are so entrancing and the story is so awesome I couldn’t keep it off my list.
My favorite part about recommending books is hearing what you think! You can share your thoughts by commenting below!