Short Fables
This list of classical short fables for children teach principles for moral living and entertain kids with amusing tales.
How Can You Use Children's Fables
Fables tell little stories with an ethical lesson. How can you use these?They often make great bedtime stories. Read one story a night, and your children will make sure you don't forget to read another fable the next night.
Early readers often benefit from reading short fables. They are longer and more challenging than picture books; but with only a few pages per story, they require less reading than most chapter books.
Older readers may enjoy the challenge of reading the fable and explaining it in their own language and with their life examples.
The Classic Short Fables
Aesop's Fables
By Aesop
Animal stories that teach important principles about greed, patience, perseverence and other character qualities. Aesop is the ancient story teller whose name is equated with fables.
Little Mermaid and Other Tales
By Hans Christian Anderson
The Ugly Duckling is a classic favorite that describes the blossoming of individuals we often call "late bloomers." Anderson had numerous other stories that described principles of right living. Some modern versions of his tales portray less suffering.Stories by Beatrix Potter
By Beatrix Potter
We are all familiar with how Peter Rabbit disobeyed his mother and suffered for his carelessness. All of Potter's stories contain lessons aboaut the consequences of behavior.Grimms Fairy Tales
Before there was Disney, there were the Brothers Grimm! Many of the stories that children associate with Disney Films were told by the Grimm Brothers, including Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and many more. Early readers who enjoyed the fairy tale films, will enjoy the satisfaction of reading the orignal fables.In Grandma's Attic
By Arleta Richardson
A completely different kind of fable, with the feel of Laura Ingalls Wilders "Little House" books. Each short chapter tells a lesson the author learned as a child listening to her grandmother's stories. Nostalgic.Flower Fables
By Louisa May Alcott
Many fans of Little Women are familiar with the fictitious heroine Jo and her desire to become a writer. Flower Fables are six short fables written by Alcott, whom many consider to be the protype of Jo. Fairies, sprites and flowers fill the pages of these fairy tales.Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling
The author of Jungle Book wrote these twelve animal fables that explain how certain animals developed their unique characteristics.The Underneath
Kathi Appelt
A lonely hound dog, a mother cat, a bitter snake, and an ancient Indian legend are woven together to create this beautiful picture book. The story can be read to younger children, though your teens and pre-teens will also enjoy the fable.Longer Fables
Alice In Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
A curious tale and the curiouser adventure of Alice in Wonderland.The Adventures of Pinocchio
Carlo Callodi
We all know what happened to the naughty puppet when he told a lie. The original, classic story has more death and doom than modern children's stories usually contain. It also has more action and adventure.
