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August 21, 2025 9:58 am
34 Classic Illustrated Fairy Tales from Across Europe
Looking for beautifully illustrated story books of fairy tales to add to your shelf? This list is a treasure trove of classic fairy tales, folk tales, and fables, perfect for both collectors and young readers who love to read timeless stories for children.
You’ll find beloved characters like Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and the Little Mermaid alongside lesser-known gems from across Europe.
These volumes preserve the original versions with enchanting illustration styles, making them perfect for any library of children’s books, folklore enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to collect the most magical fairy tales books ever printed.
Table of Contents
German Fairy Tale Beginnings
Grimm’s Fairy Tales – Arthur Rackham Edition (1909)
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The Brothers Grimm’s collection features Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Rumpelstiltskin. Rackham’s shadowy illustrations make it a treasure trove of magic and wonder, appealing to both adults and young readers.
Household Stories – Walter Crane Edition (1886)
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A 19th-century print of the Grimms’ tales with Crane’s vibrant and decorative art. Perfect if you love folk tales that balance scary stepmothers and wolves with playful, cute design.
French Fairy Tales, Story Books and Fables
Perrault’s Fairy Tales – Gustave Doré Edition (1867)
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Includes Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, and Beauty and the Beast. Doré’s gothic engravings turned Charles Perrault’s fables into epic scenes that shaped the genre and even inspired Disney.
Old-Time Stories – W. Heath Robinson Edition (1921)
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A playful collection of Perrault’s stories with Robinson’s witty drawings. Lighter and more humorous, this edition makes the tales amusing for stories for children and adults alike.
Danish Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen
Stories from Hans Andersen – Edmund Dulac Edition (1911)
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Features The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Nightingale, and The Tinderbox. Dulac’s rich colors bring Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales to life, full of fantasy, romance, and imagination.
Andersen’s Fairy Tales – Kay Nielsen Edition (1924)
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Includes The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, and more. Nielsen’s Art Nouveau illustrations are a treasure trove for collectors who love original versions and new illustrations.
Nordic and Scandinavian Legends, Fairy Tales
East of the Sun and West of the Moon – Kay Nielsen (1914)
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A collection of Norwegian folk tales about trolls, dragons, and hidden princesses. Nielsen’s art is beloved and romantic, making this one of the most famous fairy tale books ever published.
Norwegian Folk Tales – Werenskiold and Kittelsen (19th c.)
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Packed with trolls, peasants, wolves, and witches. These original illustrations gave us the look of Nordic folk stories and made trolls iconic.
Among Gnomes and Trolls – John Bauer (1907–1915)
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A Swedish fairytales series filled with mossy trolls and cute rabbits. Bauer’s dreamy style makes it one of the most beloved fairy-tale collections in Europe.
Russian Fairy-Tale Book Collections
Russian Fairy Tales – Ivan Bilibin (1899–1904)
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Includes Baba Yaga, firebirds, and wicked stepmother stories. Bilibin’s folk-inspired illustrations are full of bold color and intricate borders, a true artistic treasure.
Old Peter’s Russian Tales – Arthur Ransome (1916)
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Retellings for young readers with themes of wolves, adventure, and clever peasants. Mitrohin’s art makes this edition both cute and wicked, perfect for children’s and adult collections.
Celtic and British Fairy Tale and Story Book Collections
Irish Fairy Tales – Arthur Rackham Edition (1920)
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Myths of Cuchulain, Deirdre, and warriors retold by James Stephens. Rackham’s illustrations are moody and romantic, making this a classic for lovers of Irish legend.
The Welsh Fairy Book – Willy Pogany (1907)
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A collection of Celtic folk legends featuring giants and fairies. Pogany’s illustrator craft makes it delight ful and vibrant.
The Scottish Fairy Book – Morris Meredith Williams (1910s)
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Tales of selkies, kelpies, wolves, and Highland lore. Williams’ illustrations give the stories an original charm.
English Fairy Tales – Joseph Jacobs and John D. Batten (1890)
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Includes Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three Little Pigs, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Batten’s bold style preserves the original versions and keeps them beloved to this day.
Celtic Fairy Tales – Jacobs and Batten (1892)
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Irish and Highland folk tales of witches, wolves, and magical peasants. Batten’s illustrations are dark, wicked, and unforgettable.
Europa’s Fairy Book – Jacobs and Batten (1916)
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A WWI-era collection of European fairy tales books, from French princesses to German peasants. A true treasure trove of tales and fables to read.
Andrew Lang’s Classic Fairy Tales Books
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Includes Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood. A classic edition that belongs in any library.
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Stories of princesses, wolves, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Perfect for young readers and collectors alike.
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A mix of Grimm’s Snow White and Slavic folk tales. A beloved volume in the genre.
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Includes The Tinderbox and The Frog Prince. A cheerful collection for children and adults to read together.
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Features cross-cultural fairytales including Japanese and European. A unique theme in the series.
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Dark and scary, filled with witches, wolves, and fables.
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A romantic and artistic volume that feels like a treasure trove of rare stories.
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Full of epic adventure, wolves, and heroes.
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Earthy tales and fables that amuse and delight.
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Iberian stories with dragons, wicked stepmothers, and magic and wonder.
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Southern European fairytales with a warm, Mediterranean feel.
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The last volume in the set — a treasure of original versions to collect.
Nordic and Slavic Fairy Tale Treasures
The Forest Bride – Parker Fillmore (1913)
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A Finnish fable about love and adventure in the woods. The art is cute and rustic.
Finnish Fairy Tales – Parker Fillmore (1922)
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A collection of enchanted forests, wolves, and peasants. A classic for both young readers and adults.
Icelandic Folk and Fairy Tales – Hallmudsson (modern)
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Trolls, elves, ghosts, and hidden treasure. Pilkington’s bold, vibrant illustrations make these scary stories fun to read.
Croatian Tales of Long Ago – Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić (1916)
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A Slavic-inspired collection often compared to Hans Christian Andersen. The author’s storytelling and Kirin’s art create a beloved fairytale classic.
Pan-European Fairy Tale Treasures
Edmund Dulac’s Fairy-Book: Fairy Tales of the Allied Nations (1916)
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A collection of French, Russian, English, and more. Dulac’s plates are luminous and artistic, making this edition a true treasure trove of magic and wonder.
About the author Jacqueline Fatica