The Best Clever and Funny Fractured Fairy Tales

Fairy tale retellings are one of my favorite kinds of stories. Whether written as picture books for the very young or novels for middle graders and young adults, there is something about fractured fairy tales that appeals to me as a reader and a writer. Certainly the magic and adventure at the root of the original stories is part of it. But it's fun to see how different writers make those classic stories their own. In picture books a clever twist or a new setting can give a classic tale fresh, new life even while the story follows the original plot closely.

Here is a list of some of my favorites (plus two of my own) to read if you enjoy fractured fairy tales that are clever and funny. 

The Great Gran Plan by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Steven Lenton

A funny story that blends Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, with clever and hilarious results. 

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka, illustrated by Lane Smith

A classic that should be included in every library. This version of the story, told from the perspective of the wolf, just might convince you that the wolf was the victim. Or will it?

Twinderella by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Deborah Marcero

This clever and charming retelling is twice the fun of the original story!

Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Troy Cummings

If you enjoy puns and fairy tales, you'll enjoy this delightful romp!

Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt

Cinderella in space! What more of a reason do you need to read this charming and empowering story?

Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, illustrated by Lydia Monks

If you like mixups and misunderstandings--and hilarity--you'll love this delightfully silly fractured version of Rapunzel. 

Goldilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson

More of a sequel than a retelling, this clever story takes the original and gives it a switcheroo!

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith

Little Rid Riding Hood set in Africa, with a delightful new twist on the traditional ending. 

A Cooked Up Fairy Tale by Penny Parker Klostermann, illustrated by Ben Mantle

This clever mash-up is sure to make you chuckle (and might make you hungry too!). 

And, naturally, I had to include my own books:

Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Dan Santat

Hansel and Gretel, but as ninja chickens outwitting a fox rather than a witch!

Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

A gender-swapped, Mexican-American retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. 

What are your favorite fractured fairy tales?

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