BOOK LIST: The most gorgeous fairy tale books in the world

I was asked by a fan to post a blog about my favourite fairy tale picture books absolute ages ago, but I’ve been so busy I simply haven’t had time. 



I thought I’d celebrate the launch of my own fairy tale picture book TWO SELKIE TALES FROM SCOTLAND by doing it now!



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I'd love to add to my collection so if you know any other utterly gorgeous illustrated fairy tales, please tell me in the comments so I can add them to my collection. 



Here are my favourites (in no particular order):



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This is the most beautiful version of 'The Singing, Springing Lark', the Grimm Brothers' variant of 'Beauty & the Beast'(here titled 'The Lady & the Lion')  - the illustrations are utterly exqusite!






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Paul Zelinsky's gorgeous 'Rapunzel' which sets the story in the Italian Renaissance which is, of corue, what I did to in my historical novel BITTER GREENS



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More by Paul Zelinsky, one of my favourite children's illustrators - this is a brilliant rendition of 'Rumpelstiltskin'



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Paul Zelinsky's 'Hansel & Gretel' - doesn't the witch's cottage look delicious?



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My absolute favourite fairy tale artists is K. Y. Craft - I'd give almost anything to have her illustrate one of my books. They are so gorgeous, intricate, mysterious and magical! This one is 'Twelve Dancing Princesses', which is also one of my favourite fairy tales 



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A swoon-worthy 'Cinderella' from K.Y. Craft



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'Sleeping Beauty'from K. Y. Craft



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A lovely version of the 'Tam Lin' ballad, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft - I also have versions of this story by Susan Cooper and Jane Yolen 



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This exquisite retelling of 'Persephone' is retold by Sally Pomme Clayton and illustrated by Virginia Lee 









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My favourite Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, 'The Snow Queen' is illustrated here by Vladyslav Yerko in a mesmerisingly beautiful edition 



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Oscar Wild's fairy tale 'The Happy Prince' is illustrated beautifully by Jane Ray






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Finally, this utterly beautiful version of 'Wild Swans', retold by Naomi Lewis and illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert 



You may also be interested in this blog on The Sources of the Grimm's Fairy Tales  or The Magic of the Number Three or My Twelve Most Spell-Binding Fairy Tale Retellings Ever 



PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT - I LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!