My Book of Classic Nursery Tales

By Author / Illustrator

James Mayhew

Genre

Fairy Tales & Folk Tales

Age range(s)

Publisher

Otter-Barry Books

ISBN

9781915659736

Format

Hardback

Published

16-10-2025

Synopsis

A beautiful new collection of eight nursery tales - traditional stories for younger children, including all the favourite classics, delightfully retold and enchantingly illustrated by James Mayhew, internationally bestselling author and illustrator of Once Upon a Tune, A Symphony of Stories, the Mrs Noah series and many other much-loved picture books.

The stories included are: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (England), Little Red Riding Hood (Germany), The Billy Goats Gruff (Norway), The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf (England), The Enormous Turnip (Ukraine), The Tortoise and the Hare (Ancient Greece), The Gingerbread Man (North America), The Vain Little Mouse (Spain)

Using the same technique of colourful cut-outs and collage as in his bestselling Once Upon a Tune: Stories from the Orchestra, James Mayhew has created another spectacular gift book, this time for a very young audience.

Reviews

Sue

With each story retold and illustrated by James Mayhew, My Book of Classic Nursery Tales would make the perfect gift for any little (or not so little) one! There are eight wonderful stories to enjoy in this delightful collection, including perennial favourites such as 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' and 'Little Red Riding Hood' as well as a lesser-known tale called 'The Vain Little Mouse'.

Information at the end of the book offers details about the origins of each story as well as notes from James about the choices he has made about illustrating and retelling each one.

Traditional tales are perfect for developing patterns of language and story structures and these have been retold in an engaging, light-hearted style, making them perfect for snuggling down with at bedtime, sharing with a group or enjoying independently. Children will love joining in with repeated phrases like the 'trip-trap, trip-trap' of the Billy Goats as they cross the bridge or the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad Wolf.

This will quickly become an 'again, again' book - one which is constantly requested! The illustrations are simply delightful! The bright, colourful collages will instantly appeal to little children, capturing their interest and imagination, and supporting them in retelling the stories for themselves. There are plenty of details to notice, offering much to discuss and enjoy- and perhaps inspire children to create pictures of their own. A real joy!

72 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher