Folktales: Stories from the Human Experience
For each Spotlight blog post, the CBC curates a themed selection from recent booklists, helping parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and children’s book enthusiasts discover standout titles from our member publishers.
Folktales act as a giant bucket holding our cultural past and present, filled with stories passed down through generations to explain the many facets of the human experience. Whether written or oral, these tales provide a foundation for cultural beliefs and traditions. They impart essential lessons, attempt to define good versus bad, and illustrate how different civilizations process the world around them. While genres like fables, fairytales, myths, and legends each have their own subtle distinctions, they all work in concert to capture our collective imagination.
Pulled from our August Hot Off the Press list, the following titles exemplify the vibrant ways folktales continue to shape storytelling today.
All The Queens’ Curses, by Alyssa Hollingsworth (Page Street Publishing / Page Street YA) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, War / Conflict / Violence, Romance, Disabilities, Teen (12+).
Kit may be a princess, but her life is no fairy tale. Chronically ill and abused by her stepfather, Princess Kit’s mother strikes a bargain with the fae — swapping Kit’s ailing body for her stepsister Catharine’s. Horrified, the sisters travel north to find the fae who cursed them, only to discover the prince they meet is under his own curse.
Billy and the Hole, written & illustrated by Jessica Goecke (Penguin Young Readers / Flamingo Books) — Friendships, Social Emotional Learning, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, ages 3–7.
A boy, a talking hole in the ground, and an impossible request.
One day, Billy found a hole.
It wasn’t there yesterday.
But there it was, right in his favorite spot, under his favorite tree.
This hole in the ground is no ordinary hole in the ground. For it speaks to Billy with a voice that’s cold and hard, like ancient stone. At first, the hole in the ground is polite and kind, and tells Billy how clever he is. And, well, Billy just can’t resist his new odd friend and their nice words. But when the hole’s requests grow more extreme, and Billy can’t always meet them–Billy will have to take matters into his own hands before his new friend takes matters into theirs.
From a singular new voice in children’s books, Jessica Goecke, comes a new macabre picture book with gorgeous art and a touch of darkness that is also at turns laugh-out-loud funny. Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen’s The Skull or Olive Jeffers’s There’s a Ghost In This House!
The Crown, written & illustrated by Lauren Stohler (Penguin Young Readers / Penguin Workshop) — Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Humor, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Animals, ages 5–9.
A rollicking, laugh-out-loud, fish butt–tastic tale about a fight over a crown—and the power it holds—with a surprising twist ending.
Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nearer than you think, a mysterious box appeared outside the gates of a castle. Inside the box was a crown and some instructions (well, one instruction): Whoever has the crown makes the rules! NO exceptions! So naturally, the guard who found the crown put it on and became king.
This led to a dizzying tug-of-war (literally) between the king, the villagers, some fish butt–addicted alligators, and one very, very large orange dragon—all of whom believed the crown and the power were rightfully theirs. Needless to say, the peaceful village? Yeah, not so peaceful anymore.
Digital Red, by Kimberly Delude; illustrated by Jan Dolby (The Little Press) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Classics, Social Emotional Learning, Technology / Inventions, ages 5–7.
The classics get a clever, tech-savvy twist in Digital Red, the third installment of the Modern Fairy-Tale series following Willa the Werewolf and Curlilocks & the Three Hares.
Once upon a time, Little Red loved her red cloak. Now? She’s all about her little red phone. When Fairy Godmother tries to tell the classic story, Digital Red can’t stop texting, taking selfies, and posting—even when she’s supposed to be heading to Granny’s house.
But when Red makes a new online “friend” who seems super cool and super funny, things take a turn. This follower? @TBBW (The Big Bad Wolf). And Red might’ve shared just a little too much about where she’s going. What will happen to Granny?
In this witty and timely fractured fairy tale, Digital Red learns why it’s important to be careful about who you talk to online—and what you share.
Endlessly Ever After: Endlessly Adventures: Pick YOUR Path to Countless Fairy Tale Endings!, by Laurel Snyder; illustrated by Dan Santat (Chronicle Books) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Action / Adventure, How-to / Interactive, ages 3–9.
Grab your basket and your coat. Put on some walking shoes.
Turn the page and begin: Which story will you choose?
Award-winning author Laurel Snyder and illustrator Dan Santat transform a crowd of classic fairytales into an ever-changing, fascinating, laugh-out-loud choose-your-own-adventure picture book, in which you may find a sleeping maiden, waste away in a sticky licorice cage, discover the gold at the end of a wild goose chase, or maybe (just maybe) save yourself—and the day!
Find My Way Down to You, by Julian Winters (Penguin Young Readers / Viking Books for Young Readers) — Death / Grief / Loss, Romance, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, LGBTQIA+, Teen (12+).
You’ve Reached Sam meets Hadestown in this enchanting, intoxicating romance across the mortal world and the underworld.
Eighteen-year-old August is trying to navigate life after the sudden death of his boyfriend left him devastated, aimless, and feeling guilty. Years after the tragic accident, August mistakenly stumbles into a world beyond his own—the Underworld. Unlike his own gray existence, the Underworld is a lavish, extravagant place, full of mystery and a flurry of charismatic gods, all curious about August’s arrival in their world. Realizing right away the opportunity in front of him, August goes searching for his lost love, guided by Cary, the smoldering, broody ferrier of souls. But the more time August spends down below, the more his intentions begin to blur. Is he visiting this realm to reunite with his soulmate? Or is he desperately, inexplicably, intoxicatingly drawn to Cary? With his own world in pieces and a dangerously seductive realm promising him a new existence at a heavy cost, August must choose: a life with grief or a love that might destroy him.
How Does a Fairy Tale Work?, by Olivier Dupin, Madeleine Stratford; illustrated by Olivier Dupin (Owlkids Books) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Humor, Concepts, How-to / Interactive, ages 3–7.
Once upon a time, a darkly funny picture book demonstrated classic fairy tale story elements using four classic tales …
Do you know what a fairy tale is? How about how to write one? This darkly funny picture book invites readers to engage with four classic fairy tales as it breaks down the literary elements that go into building a story.
Each spread demonstrates a different story element, such as setting, character, and story structure, using the following fairy tales as examples: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Little Thumb, and The Ugly Duckling. As the stories unfold, readers will learn more about each story element and develop the skills to recognize literary devices in these tales and others.
Playful, blocky art and comic-style panels and speech bubbles complement the snappy text, resulting in a delightful book that will live on shelves happily ever after.
How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail and Other West African and Caribbean Myths, by Jessica Wilson; illustrated by Sophie Bass (The Quarto Group / words & pictures) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Places / Travel, ages 9–12.
Discover a world of myths and magic in How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail, a stunning anthology that celebrates the storytelling traditions of West Africa and the Caribbean.
Jessica Wilson gathers lyrical, interwoven folktales that have travelled across oceans and through time. From Nigeria and Ghana to Jamaica and the USA, these stories have gathered new colour and meaning along their journey.
Each story is introduced with the country, people and traditions where the tale originates, making the collection both immersive and accessible for young readers, families and classrooms. Paired with Sophie Bass’s vibrant, symbolic illustrations, this anthology immerses readers in the colours, foods, landscapes and characters of West Africa and the Caribbean.
Stories include:
- How Anansi Became King of All Stories (Ghana, Ivory Coast & Togo)
- How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail (Jamaica)
- Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky (Nigeria)
. . . and many more.
Told through authentic voices, this book is created by author Jessica Wilson, who has Jamaican heritage, and illustrator Sophie Bass, who has Trinidadian heritage. With its cultural richness and celebration of ancestral heritage, this anthology creates a safe, joyful space for children to see themselves represented.
Princess Sylvie: Mini Edition, written & illustrated by Elsa Beskow (Floris Books) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Animals, Action / Adventure, Places / Travel, ages 3–7.
An adorable, unabridged mini edition of Elsa Beskow’s classic story about making new friends.
Princess Sylvie and her father, the king, leave the palace gardens for a walk in the woods. Then Oskar the dog runs off after a cheeky hare and Sylvie’s adventures begin. What will they find hiding in the forest?
This is a delightful story for young children about exploring new places and making new friends from the world-renowned Swedish author-illustrator Elsa Beskow.
This wonderful mini gift edition of Princess Sylvie reproduces Elsa Beskow’s classic illustrations and unabridged story in an adorable small format—ideal for little hands—with a cloth spine.
Secrets at Sparhawk Point, by Anna Rose Johnson (Holiday House) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Historical Fiction, Friendships, ages 9–12.
To draw tourists to their declining coastal town, a group of children claim to have seen a mythic creature from Ojibwe legend, the storm-monster Mishipeshu. But when their plan backfires, they’ll need to convince everyone the beast is only make-believe. But. . . what if it isn’t?
1943. Sparhawk Point, Michigan, may be a small town, but it’s home. For the Swedish Ahlstrom girls, it’s the only place they’ve ever known—a place they may have to leave if their father’s church can’t find more parishioners. The Ojibwe Robicheaux boys are struggling, too: their father is off at war, and a lack of tourists means no income from their two rental cottages. These kids can’t bear the thought of leaving. . . so they’ll have to make new residents come to them, and fast.
After spotting an unknown object in the water, they find their solution. Drawing on inspiration from Ojibwe stories of the mysterious Mishipeshu—the riser of storms on Lake Superior—the children spread stories of their very own “American Loch Ness monster” to bring curious visitors to their shores. But their plan works too well! People become afraid to visit. To save their families, they’ll need to convince everyone that the creature isn’t real . . . even if that may prove to be their biggest lie yet.
Secrets at Sparhawk Point is a timeless summer adventure from acclaimed Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, whose first two books—The Star that Always Stays and The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry—have received an avalanche of awards, nominations, and media spots. This is another flawless, insightful, and glowing novel that marries a Native American perspective with myth, history, and a classic storytelling voice.
Superstitions: Mirrors, Ladders, Black Cats, Rabbits’ Feet, and More, by Štěpánka Sekaninová; illustrated by Lukáš Figeľ (Albatros) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Occult / Paranormal / Supernatural, History, Facts / Trivia, ages 9–12.
Why do we fear the number 13, knock on wood, and carry lucky charms?
Superstitions dives into the strange, spooky, and sometimes silly beliefs that have shaped cultures for centuries. From rabbits’ feet to avoiding cracks in the sidewalk, this fascinating book uncovers the surprising stories behind the rituals we follow—often without even knowing why!
Packed with quirky facts, global traditions, and a dash of mystery, this book invites curious kids to explore the line between belief and logic. Are these old customs just tricks of the mind—or is there something more magical at play?
- Builds Critical Thinking: Encourages kids to question what they believe, explore the psychology behind fear and luck, and think about how traditions shape our behavior.
- Discover Global Superstitions: Explore wild and wonderful beliefs from around the world—about numbers, animals, objects, and more.
- Interactive Fun: Includes a search-and-find game woven throughout the pages to keep readers engaged and entertained.
- Eye-Catching Illustrations: Created by a professional animator, the artwork brings each superstition to life with humor, charm, and a touch of the unexpected.
Looking for more great reads? Check out all of our Spotlight blog posts!
