Fairy Tales Boys Love
Look at this list of fairy tales boys love! And why wouldn’t they? These stories are filled with adventure and mystery!
Have you noticed that many fairy tales have wonderfully strong female characters? There’s not a thing in the world wrong with that! However, when I set out to write Character Building Chapter Books for Boys, it was difficult to find wonderful fairy tales with strong male characters to include in that list.
This post contains affiliate links.
This post was born from a quest to locate the best fairy tales that will capture the interest of boys. These tales include adventures that define good from evil and are perfect for character-building.
Picture Book Fairy Tales Boys Love
The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop and Karen Rohode
A young squire quests for his king only to be met with temptation and a fire-breathing dragon.
Jack and the Beanstalk by Steven Kellogg
This fairy tale is a true classic. It follows Jack as he spends the last of his family’s money on beans. When his mother discovers what he has wasted their money on, she throws them away. Later that night, large stalks begin to grow up into the sky where the giants live.
Hansel and Gretel by James Marshall
Out of curiosity, these kiddos head out into the forest for a bit of adventure only to discover the candy-coated cottage they find is owned by an evil witch who wants to eat them for dinner.
Puss in Boots by Fred Marcellino
This hero lands in a fairy tale everyone should read. This courageous cat saves a gal from a raging, mean bull only to be chased out of town thanks to the poor choices of Humpty Dumpty.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Robert Browning and Kate Greenaway
Follow the Pied Piper, who is hired by the townspeople to draw the rats away from town. After his job is done and the townspeople refuse to pay him for a job well done, he takes revenge in only the most appropriate way.
The Brave Little Tailor by Eric Blair and David Shaw
A small town’s fate lies in the hands of a tailor who is challenged to get rid of a giant! Who knew such a small person could do such big things?
The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim Lamarche
Thanks to a few elves, a struggling shoemaker gets all the help he needs to get his job done.
King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte Craft
When King Midas is given one wish, he wishes that everything he touches turns to gold. What an amazing feature to hold…. until he touches his beloved daughter, and she turns into a golden statue.
The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
After refusing a true baker’s dozen of cookies to a customer, everything starts to go wrong in the kitchen. This leads to a meeting with Saint Nicholas in his dreams, where he’s reminded of the importance of generosity.
The Emperor’s New Clothes by Demi
This fairy tales boys love tells the story of an emperor who believes that his magical clothing is not visible to fools. That is until one day when a child speaks the truth.
Tom Thumb by Richard Jesse Watson
Even though Tom Thumb was born a healthy baby boy, he did not grow with time. He is then taken on a tour around the country so people can see what an incredibly small yet adventurous person he grows into.
Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss
When a king gets bored with the weather, he is soon surprised by what falls from the sky once he becomes angry.
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome
When the Tsar announces that he will give his daughter’s hand in marriage to the person who gives him a flying ship, the fool of the world takes him up on his offer.
Chapter Books Fairy Tales Boys Love
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
Princess Irene goes on quite an adventure with a boy named Curdie. After discovering a mysterious labyrinth, she only hopes a magical ring will save her from the goblins.
The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald
In the sequel of The Princess of the Goblin, more magic and intrigue follow the princess and her friend Curdie when Princess Irene’s grandmother gifts Curdie a monster named Lina.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
While the Pevensie children are staying with a family member, the youngest stumbles upon a magical wardrobe that takes them into a whole new world: Narnia, which is full of talking creatures, an ice-cold queen, and a noble lion.
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
In the second story, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy discover that Miraz has taken over Narnia. They return to help the fight between good and evil.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
The Pevensie children bring along their annoying cousin on an adventure with Prince Caspian that will take them further into Narnia than they have ever traveled.
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
Go on an adventure with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy to a land north of Narnia to save King Caspian’s kidnapped son, Rilian.
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
Two runaways have no choice but to battle for the fate of Narnia. This is a great addition to the Narnia series, which can be read on its own or in the order of the series.
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
In this must-read fairy tale, discover the mysteries behind Narnia, including the lamppost and how Narnia was created.
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
In the last book of the incredible Narnia series, a fight of evil rises from within. Who will win the last battle?
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
When Geppetto receives a talking piece of wood, he makes a puppet and names him Pinocchio. As soon as he can walk on his new legs, he leaves the safety of his home only to discover the evil that lurks in the world.
The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit
Gerald, James, and Kathleen discover a castle and what they think to be a princess within the garden’s maze, only to discover that it is all thanks to a magical ring.
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Upon digging in a gravel pit, three kids discover a Psammead, an ancient sand fairy. This fairy grants the children one wish a day, but they soon discover that it isn’t all fun and games.
What fairy tales boys love would you add to this grand list of books?
Other Posts You Might Enjoy
What happened to:
1. The Three Billy Goats Gruff
2. Aladdin
3. The Sword in the Stone
4. The Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor
5. Peter Pan
6. Winnie the Pooh
… and there still are others
All good ones, too!
Thank you for creating this list! Glad I stumbled upon your website!
You’re very welcome, Gail!