Tales from Beyond the Rainbow: Ten LGBTQ+ Fairy Tales Proudly Reclaimed

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Epic stories of love, adventure, and resilience featuring LGBTQ+ narratives and heroes, published as a collection of queer classics for the first time.

These are the fairy tales that history forgot—or concealed. Ten tales in which gender is fluid and where queer stories can have a happy ending. Some are rare examples of LGBTQ+ folklore, like “The Dog and the Sailor,” which features a male protagonist who meets his own handsome prince. These stories include folklore from Europe, Asia, and the African savanna. Vibrant illustrations from an international group of artists enhance the multicultural identities showcased here, including artists from India, Germany, Cape Verde, Russia, Canada, China, and more. They remind readers that folk tales are our tales, and invite them to be whoever they want to be. Researcher Pete Jordi Wood has combed through generations of history to collect and adapt these ten unforgettable stories celebrating LGBTQ+ themes and characters.

This title is already included on the Puffin Classics list, indicating its importance in preserving the ancient folklore of queer histories.

About the Author

Pete Jordi Wood is a British author, illustrator, and screenwriter who describes himself as a “fairy tale detective.” He is based in Cornwall in the United Kingdom.

Author Residence: Cornwall, UK