249A: A collection of fairy tales with animals

I’m looking for a particular book of fairy tales. I could swear it was just called “Children’s Book of Fairy Tales”, followed by a sequel “Children’s book of more fairy tales” or something very similar. I’ve tried Googling with quotes and nothing comes up – without quotes I get hundreds of fairy tale books but none the one I’m looking for. Both were hardcover, medium thick. One of the books (I don’t remember if it was the 1st of 2nd – for some reason I think we got the sequel book first as kids) – I seem to remember had a busy cover that wrapped around from front to back, with characters and scenery that covered all over – and I picture mostly a green/blue color, possibly water or leaves (but I could be remembering that wrong). We received the books in the 80s, and they weren’t vintage so I’m guessing they were 80s published, probably mid-late 80s judging by my age. The illustrations, both cover and in the stories (all the stories were heavily illustrated on every page) – was more cartoonish then painting-like. It was not life like, like many of the vintage fairy tales. Oh and I’m pretty sure all the characters were animals. So like cartoon animals as fairy tale characters. I’d say there maybe 20 or so stories in each book. Some of the stories were classic fairy tales but I remember there being a lot I had never heard.

Anyway, it’s driving me crazy because I’ve found many of my favorite childhood books, even obscure ones, but this is alluding me, possibly because there are so many fairy tale collections out there and this wasn’t a classic vintage one (but the best I’ve ever seen!).

Any help would be great!

Thank you!! – Rachel

5 thoughts on “249A: A collection of fairy tales with animals

  1. Susan Reagel

    This is a long shot… but the way you described the art style reminded me of Richard Scarry. Could it be Richard Scarry’s Animal Nursery Tales and Best Nursery Tales Ever?

    Reply
    1. Rachel R.

      Thanks but sadly, no. It’s not quite as “young” as Richard Scarry. It was for children but was a little more grown up than the Scarry books. Thanks though!

      Reply
  2. celeste

    I think this is also a long shot, but because it was my white whale for many years and the cover is somewhat similar to what you describe I’ll suggest The Magic Realm of Fairy Tales, published by Whitman.

    Reply
    1. Rachel R.

      Not that one, unfortunately. :/ It’s more cartoony than that, and at least some of the stories, all the characters were animals. It’s so crazy that i cannot find this thing with all the fairy tales out there! Thanks so much though!!

      Reply

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