Albert Einstein is believed to have said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
Fairy tales are defined as children’s stories about magical and imaginary being and lands.
Fairy tales inspire creativity and imaginative play — taking kids on an epic adventure in their minds. They’re also wonderful for teaching story structure — setting, plot, characters. Fairy tales encourage critical thinking and spark conversations about fantasy versus reality. Kids can watch good conquer evil and relate to the hero/heroine as they exhibit courage in the face of adversity.
There are so many reasons to listen to fairy tales with your kids.
Thankfully, Pinna has amassed quite the collection of classic and reimagined fairy tales on their platform.
Check out what’s available below.
28 Classic and Reimagined Fairy Tales on Pinna
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest is a wildly enchanting fairy tale podcast made in partnership with Adam Gidwitz, bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm. Each episode features a classic fairy tale, bringing to life a world full of curious creatures and mischievous foes. These tales are retold with a surprising flourish to a group of inquisitive kids, who anticipate plot twists, crack jokes, and share their own perspectives on these very Grimm tales.
Webby Award Nominee and Parents' Choice Gold Winner!
Lizzie returns to her ancestral home in Maine to make an amazing discovery: the woods behind the farmhouse contain a doorway to the mystical realm of Faerie. But a dark storm looms over the horizon of Fae: Lizzie’s Great-Uncle Carlow has enlisted a goblin army to conquer the World Tree, and has set his sights set on our world after… All that stands in Carlow’s way is Lizzie and her unlikely friends: a talking goat, and a sword-fighting weasel.
Discover town-eating dragons and microscopic dragons, rabbits the size of rhinoceroses and elephants the size of puppies, a fiery babysitter, a tower-guarding griffin, a king-carrying Hippogriff and more magic and wonder in Edith Nesbit's classic collection of short stories.
A young boy and grieving king begin a journey through the woods to visit the great bear, a wise teller of fairy tales.
5. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems
Based on favorite fairy tales, this clever audiobook of “reverso” will challenge and amuse readers of all ages.
Princess Fina and her page, Chutney, devise a series of tests for her suitors.
7. Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel
The fairy-tale charm and emotional depth of ELLA ENCHANTED meets the fully developed fantasy world of Harry Potter in this wonderful older middle-grade retelling of Rapunzel. In all of Tyme, from the Redlands to the Grey, no one is as lucky as Rapunzel. She lives in a magic tower that obeys her every wish; she reads wonderful books starring herself as the heroine; her hair is the longest, most glorious thing in the world. And she knows this because Witch tells her so--her beloved Witch, who protects her from evil princes, the dangerous ground under the tower, even unhappy thoughts. Rapunzel can't imagine any other life. Then a thief named Jack climbs into her room to steal one of her enchanted roses. He's the first person Rapunzel's ever met who isn't completely charmed by her (well, the first person she's met at all, really), and he is infuriating--especially when he hints that Witch isn't telling her the whole truth. Driven by anger at Jack and her own nameless fears, Rapunzel descends to the ground for the first time, and finds a world filled with more peril than Witch promised...and more beauty, wonder, and adventure than she could have dreamed.
8. Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella
This companion to Grounded combines humor, revolution, magic, and romance for the most delightful "Cinderella" retelling since Ella Enchanted. Ella Coach has one wish: revolution. Her mother died working in a sweatshop, and Ella wants every laborer in the Blue Kingdom to receive fairer treatment. But to make that happen, she'll need some high-level support... Prince Dash Charming has one wish: evolution. The Charming Curse forced generations of Charming men to lie, cheat, and break hearts -- but with the witch Envearia's death, the curse has ended. Now Dash wants to be a better person, but he doesn't know where to start... Serge can grant any wish -- and has: As an executive fairy godfather, he's catered to the wildest whims of spoiled teenagers from the richest, most entitled families in Blue. But now a new name has come up on his list, someone nobody's ever heard of... Ella Coach. This is a story about three people who want something better and who together find the faith to change their worlds. It's "Cinderella," brilliantly reimagined, and a delightful expansion of the wonderful world of Tyme.
The classic story of a woodcutter's two lost children, who find a house in the forest made of sweets and candy that belongs to a hungry witch.
10. Cinderella
The classic children's story of triumph over adversity.
Maude finds herself trapped in a realm of fairies. But with the help of an old woman, she works to free herself and help her family in the process.
12. Tom Thumb
Tiny Tom, no larger than his father's thumb, embarks on a series of fantastical adventures that lead him to King Arthur's court. After saving King Arthur from the clutches of an evil sorcerer he becomes a member of the Knights of the Round Table, and the darling of Queen Guinivere. This classic tale of a tiny boy with a big heart is told by John Cleese, with music by Elvis Costello.
13. Pinocchio
In this Italian children’s classic, a lonely toymaker named Gepetto creates a small wooden puppet who magically comes to life. In a series of mischievous adventures, Pinocchio thinks he can get by on a variety of clever lies and tricks. There is one problem: his nose grows every time he tells a lie. One way or another, the truth always comes out, and Pinocchio finds out that lying doesn’t pay. This buoyant adaptation comes alive with the spirited music of the Mediterranean. Children’s Music Web Awards special judges citation.
Like everyone else in the kingdom, two clever swindlers understand the king’s passion for new clothes. Claiming to be the creators of the richest and most beautiful cloth in the world, they cleverly announce that the “magical” garments they are weaving for the Emperor are invisible to anyone lacking intelligence. Who will have the courage to speak the truth? Grammy Award Nomination – Best Recording for Children; Parents’ Choice Gold Seal.
Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the tin soldier and the hardships he endures for the love of a ballerina has enchanted children over the years. This elegant telling of the poignant classic will charm young and old alike. When you sit down to enjoy this wonderful tale, and are transported back to your own childhood, you’ll understand why it has endured for so long. American Library Association (ALA) – Notable Recording.
16. Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The much-beloved tale of Goldilocks and the three bears is among the most cherished stories in children’s literature. This modern version will captivate today’s audiences as it has for generations. And it will also serve as helpful reminders that a little caution goes a long way in the real world. When you sit down to enjoy this wonderful tale, and are transported back to your own childhood, you’ll understand why it has endured for so long.
17. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Story from China
In this Chinese version of the classic fairytale, a mother leaves her three children home alone while she goes to visit their grandmother.
18. Puss in Boots
Claude, the youngest son of a miller, feels short-changed when his dearly departed father leaves him nothing more than a retired tomcat. However, when Claude decides to do away with his feline inheritance, the cat devises a clever plan to save his own skin by promising to transform his dim-witted owner into a noble prince. This is a splendid comic adaptation of the classic French Fairytale.
19. Red Riding Hood
The classic story of Little Red Riding Hood is among the most cherished stories in children’s literature. This modern version will captivate today’s audiences as it has for generations. And it will also serve as a helpful reminder that a little caution goes a long way in the real world. When you sit down to enjoy this wonderful tale and are transported back to your own childhood, you’ll understand why it has endured for so long.
20. Rumpelstiltskin
In this popular Grimm’s Fairytale, a king tells a young woman that she must spin a roomful of straw into gold by morning—or die. To complete this impossible task, she is forced to promise her firstborn child to a mysterious little man in return for his gold-spinning ability. Years later, he returns to claim what is his—only to find that he has underestimated the power of a mother’s love. This is a haunting and heartfelt retelling of the classic German tale. The Children’s Music Web Awards special judges’ citation.
21. The Firebird
This is a Russian legend about an archer named Ivan and his inseparable companion, the Horse of Power. When Ivan brings a golden feather from the Firebird to the Tsar, he is ordered to present the entire bird, or lose his life. Then, he is commanded to retrieve the princess Vassilisa from the end of the earth, so that the Tsar might marry her. Inevitably, the archer himself falls in love with the princess. Ivan and the Horse of Power must ultimately find a way to thwart the Tsar. This classic Fairytale captures the essence of old world Russia.
22. The Emperor and the Nightingale
The Emperor and his court in ancient China discover a little grey bird with an enchanting song. But when the Emperor is presented with a jewel-encrusted, artificial singing bird, he banishes the nightingale from his court. Years later, he realizes that the song of the real nightingale is the true treasure. With profound simplicity, this classic tale from Hans Christian Andersen will captivate young and old alike. Grammy Award Nomination – Best Recording for Children.
This beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a lonely outcast duckling who is transformed into a beautiful swan offers a magical glimpse into the realm of human nature. This charming and entertaining rendition represents storytelling at its best.
24. The Fairy Flag
Robert MacLeod, chief of clan MacLeod, falls in love with a fairy princess named Finnoula. Finnoula must make a choice between the life of a mortal and the life of the Shining Folk.
This is the story of a small Japanese boy whose only interest is drawing pictures of cats, even while everyone else in the village is struggling to defeat a mysterious demon that plagues the countryside. Although first seen as entirely useless, it is the boy's peculiar talent that ultimately restores prosperity to the land. This haunting and enchanting folktale about finding your place in the world resonates with deep respect for and appreciation of Japanese culture. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award; Children's Music Web Award.
26. Thumbelina
A long time ago in Denmark, a childless couple is blessed with a radiantly beautiful baby girl. She is no bigger than a thumb, so she is called Thumbelina. Snatched from her family by an ugly toad who wants to marry her, Thumbelina escapes, befriending various creatures of the forest. Ultimately, she meets the king of the flower angels, with whom she finds happiness forever. Hans Christian Andersen’s tiny heroine will capture your heart and imagination. Grammy Award Nomination – Best Recording for Children.
In this comic retelling, young Jack foolishly sells his family’s cow for a handful of magical beans. Overnight, they grow into a beanstalk that reaches up beyond the blue sky itself, leading Jack into a hilarious series of misadventures with a dimwitted ogre and his extra-large spouse. This beloved English folktale is nearly as merry and old as England itself. Parents’ Choice Gold Award.
28. The White Cat
Based on an 18th-century French fairy tale, this is a magically romantic story about a young prince who befriends an enchanted cat-queen. She provides him with the rarities requested by his father, in a series of challenges to win his kingdom. Their affection for each other blossoms into love, and the prince helps break the spell that an evil gnome has cast over the white cat.
The Takeaway
Fairy tales are classic stories told again and again, spanning generations — stories that stand the test of time.
They teach valuable life lessons, showcase good triumphing over evil, and offer bedtime entertainment for kids of every age.
Check out Pinna’s collection of classic and reimagined fairy tales on the app today!
We’re all ears!
What is your favorite childhood fairy tale? We’d love to hear from you! Find us on all our social platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – or email us at contact@pinna.fm.
