TK
Reteller & Author Profile
Tom Klein
16 Books
Tom Klein writes and retells stories for children, with a focus on fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy adventure. His books include approachable versions of classics such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Fisherman and His Wife, along with dragon-filled adventures for young readers.
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A lonely young duckling does not look like the others in the nest. The barnyard animals stare, whisper, and tease, and the little bird begins to wonder whether there is any place where he truly belongs.
This gentle retelling of The Ugly Duckling follows one small creature through confusion, sadness, and quiet hope as he searches for kindness in a world that does not yet understand him. Young readers will recognize the hurt of being left out and the courage it takes to keep going.
Warm, simple, and timeless, this classic fairy tale is well suited for ages 6 to 8, especially for children beginning to think about empathy, confidence, and seeing beyond appearances.
6-8 Years
111 Pages
Princess Irene lives near a castle with secrets above and below: mysterious rooms, hidden passages, and goblins who may be far closer than anyone thinks.
This child-friendly retelling of The Princess and the Goblin introduces young readers to a classic fantasy adventure filled with bravery, mystery, and wonder. Irene's curiosity leads her into danger, but she is not alone. With help from a brave friend and a thread of magic, she must learn when to trust, when to act, and how courage can shine in dark places.
Best for ages 6 to 8, this version keeps the feeling of an old-fashioned fairy tale while offering an accessible path into castles, goblins, princesses, and magical adventure.
6-8 Years
100 Pages
The little mermaid has the whole sea around her, but her heart keeps drifting toward the world above. Ships, sunlight, music, and human life fill her with questions she cannot ignore.
This gentle version of The Little Mermaid brings a classic fairy tale to young readers through simple language and a calm storytelling style. The story follows a curious mermaid whose dreams lead her beyond the familiar ocean home she knows, into a journey shaped by longing, bravery, and wonder.
Created for children ages 6 to 8, this retelling is a good fit for readers who enjoy mermaids, magical kingdoms, and thoughtful fairy tales with deep feelings beneath the surface.
6-8 Years
62 Pages
A child born under a lucky sign should have a bright future, but a jealous king has other plans. Sent away and tested again and again, the brave boy must use kindness, courage, and quick thinking to find his way through a strange world of impossible tasks.
The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs is a classic fairy tale retold for young readers. The journey includes magic, danger, riddles, and a visit to a fearsome place where three golden hairs may hold the answer to everything.
For ages 6 to 8, this retelling offers the feel of an old folktale in a gentler form, with enough suspense to keep readers turning pages without losing its bedtime-story warmth.
6-8 Years
98 Pages
A red cloak, a basket, and a walk through the woods begin one of the best-known fairy tales.
Little Red Riding Hood is on her way to visit her grandmother when she meets a wolf who is far too interested in where she is going. The forest path soon becomes a place of danger, questions, and quick thinking.
This retelling is written for children ages 6 to 8 who are ready for classic stories with a little suspense. It keeps the familiar warning at the heart of the tale without making the story too heavy: pay attention, be careful whom you trust, and remember that even a simple errand can become an adventure in a fairy-tale forest.
6-8 Years
83 Pages
Princess Aurelia must leave behind everything familiar and hide where no one will recognize her. Wrapped in a strange disguise, she steps into a new life where patience, courage, and hope matter more than royal gowns or palace walls.
Donkeyskin is a fairy tale retold from the classic story associated with Charles Perrault. This version presents the tale in a gentler style for young readers, focusing on escape from danger, inner strength, and the possibility of kindness after fear.
For children ages 6 to 8, it offers a traditional fairy-tale atmosphere with magic, royalty, and transformation, while keeping the description centered on bravery rather than revealing the full ending.
6-8 Years
70 Pages
Alice follows curiosity straight into a world where nothing behaves the way it should. Rabbits hurry, cats grin, cards march, and every conversation seems to twist into a riddle.
This illustrated edition of Alice in Wonderland introduces young readers to one of the most famous fantasy adventures in children's literature. The story invites you into Wonderland's playful confusion, where language bends, rules change, and imagination leads from one odd encounter to the next.
Best for ages 6 to 12, this edition suits readers who enjoy classic stories, whimsical fantasy, and strange characters who make the ordinary world feel suddenly much larger. It is a lively bridge between read-aloud fairy-tale fun and the richer humor of a full classic.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
107 Pages
A poor fisherman catches a magical fish and makes a kind choice: he lets it go. But one wish soon leads to another, and the sea begins to change with every demand.
The Fisherman and His Wife is a traditional folktale retold for young readers, blending magic with a clear lesson about greed, gratitude, and wanting more than you need. As the fisherman's wife asks for greater and greater things, children can follow how each choice affects the world around them.
For ages 6 to 12, this story works as both a classic fairy tale and a thoughtful read-aloud about wishes, fairness, and knowing what truly matters.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
66 Pages
The sky burns with dragon fire, and the final battle is drawing near. Kingdoms are in danger, old prophecies are stirring, and a small group of heroes must decide whether they have the courage to stand against a rising darkness.
Dragon's War: The Last Battle is a high-stakes fantasy adventure for readers who enjoy dragons, magic, warriors, and dangerous quests. The story follows an uneasy alliance as secrets surface, enemies gather, and every choice may shape the fate of a threatened realm.
Best for older readers within the 6 to 12 range, this book leans toward action-packed middle grade fantasy. It is suited to children ready for battles, peril, mythical creatures, and a more dramatic adventure tone.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
56 Pages
Cinderella’s days are full of work, but her heart still holds on to hope.
This modern retelling keeps the familiar shape of the beloved fairy tale: an unkind household, a magical chance to attend a royal celebration, and a young heroine whose grace matters more than the way others treat her. The story is written for young readers who are ready for a clear, accessible version of a classic tale.
With its mix of kindness, unfairness, transformation, and royal magic, Cinderella offers children ages 6 to 8 a gentle doorway into fairy-tale storytelling. It is a familiar favorite for read-aloud time, independent practice, or classroom shelves focused on classic stories and character themes.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
A tiny pea can cause a very large problem in this classic fairy tale.
When a young woman arrives at a castle during a storm and says she is a real princess, the queen decides to test her in a strange way. One small pea is hidden under a tall stack of mattresses, and by morning, the truth may be revealed.
Gentle, brief, and easy to follow, The Princess and the Pea introduces young readers to the playful logic of fairy tales: royal visitors, unusual tests, and a touch of magic. Readers ages 6 to 8 can enjoy the story’s humor, its castle setting, and its old-fashioned question about what makes someone truly noble.
6-8 Years
105 Pages
Puss may look like an ordinary cat, but he has boots, confidence, and a very quick mind.
When his young master is left with little more than a cat, Puss sets out to change their fortunes. With clever words, bold plans, and a talent for making others believe his story, he turns a difficult beginning into a surprising adventure.
Puss in Boots is a classic fairy tale for readers who enjoy animal heroes with humor and nerve. This version gives ages 6 to 8 a lively story about wit, performance, and daring choices, while keeping the familiar fairy-tale ingredients: castles, royalty, danger, and one unforgettable cat in boots.
6-8 Years
82 Pages
Thumbelina is small enough to sleep in a walnut shell, but her journey is anything but small.
Born from a flower, she is carried into a wide, strange world of animals, hidden homes, and difficult choices. Along the way, she must listen to her own wishes, even when others try to decide her future for her.
This retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale has the wonder and softness young readers expect from a story about flowers, tiny rooms, and talking creatures. At the same time, it gives ages 6 to 8 a heroine to follow with care: gentle, brave, and searching for the place where she truly belongs.
6-8 Years
58 Pages
In a quiet workshop, a shoemaker has only enough leather left for one last pair of shoes. He cuts the pieces carefully, then leaves them for the morning.
By sunrise, something wonderful has happened: the shoes are already finished, stitched with skill and care. Night after night, the mystery continues, until the shoemaker and his wife decide to discover who has been helping them.
The Elves and the Shoemaker is a warm fairy tale about kindness returned with kindness. Its gentle magic, simple suspense, and cozy setting make it especially inviting for readers ages 6 to 8 who enjoy classic stories where generosity matters and small helpers can change everything.
6-8 Years
122 Pages
High in a tower, a girl with golden hair can see the world but cannot freely step into it.
This fairy-tale retelling follows a familiar Rapunzel-like story of longing, courage, and the wish to choose one’s own path. The tower setting gives the tale its mystery, while the young heroine’s hope gives it its heart.
For readers ages 6 to 8, The Girl with the Golden Hair and Her Journey to Freedom offers a gentle version of a classic fairy-tale pattern: a trapped girl, a dangerous secret, and the dream of life beyond a narrow room. It is best suited for children who enjoy princess stories, castles, magic, and heroines who must be brave before they can be free.
6-8 Years
66 Pages
A donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster are all too old for the lives they used to have. So they set off together, hoping to become musicians in Bremen.
Their road is not grand or fancy, but it is full of noise, courage, and surprising teamwork. When the four animals come across danger, they discover that a mixed-up band of friends can be stronger than anyone expects.
The Bremen Town Musicians is a lively animal folktale with a funny, hopeful spirit. Young readers will enjoy the unusual group of heroes, the clever plan they make together, and the comforting idea that a new beginning can start with one brave step and a few loyal friends.
6-8 Years
60 Pages