Connecting Generations: Modern Retellings to Ignite Kids' Passion for Classic Literature
Classic literature often explores themes of morality, identity, love and ambition and are beautiful ways for kids to learn about the world around them. Nowadays, there are modern retellings and age-specific versions that can meet a reader at any stage of their lives. They can ignite an interest and curiosity about continuing to read classic literature and its many iterations.
In Meghan Cox Gurdon's book, The Enchanted Hour, she dedicates an entire chapter to discussing the value of sharing classic literature, or their cultural inheritance, with kids of all ages. Previously, classic literature was not introduced to young people until high school. Now though, we can share these same classic stories with kids of all ages in fun, new, abridged versions and modern retellings. We have the ability to talk through complex themes with children, and discuss their values and how these classic stories fit into our modern world. We can inspire interest so that as children age, they choose to pick up an unabridged version of a familiar classic.
This list includes so many wonderful and inclusive modern versions of classics we’re familiar with, like Anne of Green Gables, Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, and Huckleberry Finn.
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Board Books
Moby Dick
Author: Jennifer Adams | Illustrator: Alison Oliver | Publisher: BabyLit
Little Master Melville teaches little ones the language of the sea in Moby-Dick: An Ocean Primer. From ships and sailors to squawking gulls and moody good captains, Alison Oliver's brilliant illustrations and Jennifer Adams' clever, simple text will make a sea dog out of any young shipmate.
The BabyLit Series also includes classics such as, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and so many more you can view here.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll | Illustrator: Carly Gledhill | Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Bedtime Classics introduce classic works of fiction to little literary scholars through character driven narratives and colorful illustration. Designed to be the perfect one minute bedtime story (or five minutes--if you're begged to read it over and over) parents can feel good about exposing their children to some of the most iconic pieces of literature while building their child's bookshelf with these trendy editions!
Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole and enters a magical place called Wonderland, where she meets some curious characters before awaking to find it was all a dream.
The Bedtime Classics Series also includes, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Nutcracker, The Princess and the Pea, The Wizard of Oz, The Three Little Pigs, and more you can view here.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis | Illustrator: Joey Chou | Publisher: HarperFestival
Now available for the first time ever as a board book, a whole new generation of readers will fall in love with The Chronicles of Narnia in this abridged retelling of C.S. Lewis’s most beloved classic. With simple text paired with bright illustrations by Joey Chou, this is a must-have board book for a young child’s first library and the perfect baby shower gift for parents to be.
The Wind in the Willows
Author: Alex Fabrizio/Kenneth Grahame | Illustrator: Greg Poprocki | Publisher: Starry Forest Books
Mole has just moved to the River Bank and is excited to make new friends. Ratty and Badger are especially nice, and the three friends love having picnics together. But when Mr. Toad’s love for motorcars causes trouble―Mole, Ratty, and Badger must band together to save Toad Hall from the mean Weasels! The idyllic River Bank and the four critter friends come to life in this must-have board book edition of Kenneth Grahame’s classic, The Wind in the Willows.
With foil on the cover and engaging illustrations throughout, Baby’s Classics: The Wind in the Willows is a delightful addition to baby’s first story time collection! Row down the river with Ratty, take a ride with Mr. Toad, and relax by the fire with Badger.
From Starry Forest Books, Baby’s Classics will delight your little one with the world’s best stories. Collect them all!
Cozy Classics: Oliver Twist
Author: Jack Wang | Illustrator: Holman Wang | Publisher: Chronicle Books
Cuddle up with a classic! In twelve needle-felted scenes and twelve child-friendly words, each book in this ingenious series captures the essence of a literary masterpiece. Simple words, sturdy pages, and a beloved story make these books the perfect vehicle for early learning with an erudite twist. Budding bookworms will delight in this clever retelling of the classics made just for them!
In Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, an orphan boy on the streets of London falls in with a bad crowd of pickpockets and thieves. Will Oliver ever find his family? It's a first words primer for your literary little one!
Find the whole Cozy Classics Series here.
Picture Books
Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott/ Mandy Archer | Illustrator: Ela Smietanka | Publisher: BabyLit
BabyLit® primers have become the chic, smart way to introduce babies to the most beloved and readable literature of our time. Gibbs Smith is now presenting a delightful collection of picture books, lovingly designed and crafted for young children. Each book retells a story from the literary canon, bringing a classic to life for an entirely new audience.
In Little Women, preschoolers meet Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, and Marmee, following the March family as they grow and learn. Easy-to-follow, engaging text combined with original quotes and beautiful artwork create a book to be treasured through childhood and beyond. Part of the BabyLit® Storybook Series.
Gold
Author/Illustrator: Jed Alexander | Publisher: Creston Books
This wordless picture book plays with our assumptions about family.
What do we think we see as we turn the pages and how is the ending not at all what we expected? This fractured retelling of the Goldilocks fairy tale provides a perfect format for thinking about story-telling and how families can be different―and how they are the same.
Enjoy a cozy evening with the sweetest family you’ll find between the pages of a book. Gold is part of the Fairy-Tale Color Collection.
Three Little Vikings
Author/Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin | Publisher: Peachtree
From the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, Little Red, comes another thrilling and spunky fairy tale retelling about three very brave and rebellious Viking girls.
Someone—or something—is CRASHING and BASHING near a village of Viking folk! Chickens are disappearing, trees are falling down, and there are awfully big footprints leading into the woods...
Three little Viking girls know just what the trouble is, but the silly chieftain won't listen to them! Can this gumptious trio work together to raise their voices and prove who knows best, after all?
A master of fractured fairy tales with feminist twists, author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin uses strikingly bold graphics that pop with vibrant colors and are perfect for read alouds. Gather around for a romping, stomping story with gripping tension and lots of silly mischief and mayhem.
Federico and the Wolf
Author: Rebecca J. Gomez | Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri | Publisher: Clarion Books
Clever Federico outsmarts el lobo in this fresh and funny Mexican-American take on Little Red Riding Hood.
With his red hoodie on and his bicycle basket full of food, Federico is ready to visit Abuelo. But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo...
Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever—and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa. Recipe included.
Middle Grade, Graphic Novels and Young Adult
The Secret Garden on 81st Street
Author: Ivy Noelle Weir | Illustrator: Amber Padilla | Publisher: Clarion Books
The Secret Garden with a twist: in this follow-up to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, this full-color graphic novel moves Mary Lennox to a New York City brownstone, where she and her very first group of friends restore an abandoned rooftop garden...and her uncle's heart.
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy Little Women
Author: Rey Tercerio | Illustrator: Bre Indigo | Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Little Women with a twist: four sisters from a blended family experience the challenges and triumphs of life in NYC in this beautiful full-color graphic novel perfect for fans of Roller Girl and Smile.
Anne of West Philly
Author: Ivy Noelle Weir | Illustrator: Myisha Haynes| Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Anne of Green Gables with a twist: in this follow-up to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and The Secret Garden on 81st Street, this full-color graphic novel moves Anne Shirley to modern-day West Philadelphia, where where she finds new friends, new rivals, and a new family.
Prairie Lotus
Author/Illustrator: Linda Sue Park| Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Prairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered novel about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father’s shop, and making at least one friend.
Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
Author: Ibi Zoboi | Publisher: Balzer + Bray
In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic. A smart, funny, gorgeous retelling starring all characters of color.
Author: Sarah Dass | Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Where the Rhythm Takes You is a romantic, mesmerizing novel of first love and second chances.
Legendborn
Author: Tracy Deonn | Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy Legendborn offers the dark allure of City of Bones with a modern-day twist on a classic legend and a lot of Southern Black Girl Magic.
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