Catalogue Page for Stories with a Reading Time of 15 - 20 mins

Beauty and the Beast

A rich man becomes poor after his ships are all wrecked. On the journey back home, he takes refuge in a mysterious palace and is looked after well by the beast who lives there, but then makes the mistake of plucking a rose without asking.

Age range: 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, French, German Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Golden Bird

A prince has to find a golden bird to bring back to his father, but why does he keep ignoring the advice of the kind fox he helps along the way?

By Brothers Grimm

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, German Animals: Bird, Fox, Horse Reading time: 10 - 15 mins, 15 - 20 mins

The Fisherman and his Wife

A fisherman saves the life of a fish and is rewarded when his wife suggests to ask for a pretty cottage. Unfortunately she keeps wanting more and more and is never satisfied.

By Brothers Grimm

Age range: 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, German, Illustrated Animals: Fish, Flounder Reading time: 10 - 15 mins, 15 - 20 mins

The Happy Prince

The Happy Prince, a statue, asks a swallow to take his precious stones and gold leaf to give to the poor who are suffering.

By Oscar Wilde

Age range: 9 to12, Teen Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale Animals: Bird, Swallow Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

Faithful John

Faithful John sacrifices himself in order to save his master, the king.

By Brothers Grimm

Age range: 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Valiant Little Tailor

A little tailor kills seven flies in one blow. Now convinced of his great strength and bravery, he goes out in the world.

By Brothers Grimm

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, Funny Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel find a house made of cake and sweets and start to eat it, but don’t realise that a wicked witch lives there.

By Brothers Grimm

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan

Ribby the cat holds a tea party for a dog called Duchess. Complications arise when Duchess tries to replace Ribby’s mouse pie with a pie of her own.

By Beatrix Potter

Age range: 0 to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8 Tags: Classic, Illustrated Animals: Bird, Cat, Dog Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Nightingale

Story about an emperor who prefers the tinkling of a bejeweled mechanical bird to the song of a real nightingale.

By Hans Christian Andersen

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, Illustrated Animals: Bird, Nightingale Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

Thumbelina

Follow the adventures of little Thumbelina after she is taken away by an ugly toad.

By Hans Christian Andersen

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Fairy Tale, Illustrated Animals: Beetle, Bird, Mole, Mouse, Swallow, Toad Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Fir Tree

The little fir tree longs to be taken away from the forest but ultimately learns the value of being happy with what you already have.

By Hans Christian Andersen

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to12 Tags: Classic, Illustrated Reading time: 15 - 20 mins

The Ugly Duckling

Everyone is mean to the poor little duckling and calls him ugly. Follow his adventure to find out where he really belongs.

By Hans Christian Andersen

Age range: 3 to 5, 6 to 8 Tags: Classic, Illustrated Animals: Duck, Swan Reading time: 15 - 20 mins