Hannah's Library Building Blog: Why I'm Obsessed with Scott Gustafson's Storybook Fables

If you’ve been following along with my library-building journey, you know I’m always on the hunt for beautifully illustrated children’s books that feel like treasures. Today I’m gushing over one that has completely stolen my heart for years now: Scott Gustafson’s Classic Storybook Fables.

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I first discovered Scott Gustafson completely by accident at our hometown’s massive annual library book sale. While digging through piles of books, I spotted a big cream-colored hardcover with the most exquisite illustrations — wholesome, nostalgic, and just stunning. It was Scott Gustafson’s Mother Goose. I snatched it up, brought it home, and it quickly became a family favorite during our preschool and kindergarten years.

One day, on a whim, I looked up his name to see if he had more books. As luck would have it… he had several! I scooped them up on sale through Amazon and have been absolutely obsessed ever since.

The first one I dove into was Classic Storybook Fables, and something about that deep rose-red cover instantly drew me in, especially the unique, gentle imagining of Beauty and the Beast (our bookish princess Belle has always been a favorite of mine).

I was impressed from the very first page.

I’ll let the illustrations speak for themselves. Gustafson’s artwork is incredibly rich and detailed, a true feast for the eyes. My kids and I have spent countless “I Spy” sessions poring over these pages, discovering fun little Easter eggs hidden throughout. It never gets old!

What makes this book extra special is that the stories are just as wonderful as the pictures. If you’ve ever read classic fairytales and fables to kids, you know the struggle: some versions are too scary, while others feel overly babyish or watered down. Gustafson strikes the perfect balance.

He keeps the important original details (which is so valuable for building cultural literacy), but retells them in accessible language that’s enjoyable for a wide range of ages. These aren’t annoying, simplified versions you dread reading aloud, but they also don’t require on-the-fly editing as a parent. As both a teacher and a mom, I really appreciate that.

Each of Gustafson’s Storybook Collections features a different set of tales.

Classic Storybook Fables includes:

The Ugly Duckling

Beauty and the Beast

The Crow and the Pitcher

The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

The Little Red Hen

The Mice in Council

The Boy Who Went to the North Wind

All of these stories are gorgeous and incredibly useful for building background knowledge that kids will draw on for years.

Scott Gustafson is easily my favorite fairytale artist and reteller for our youngest readers. His books feel timeless, warm, and full of wonder, exactly the kind of quality I want filling our home library.

If you’re looking to add something truly special to your shelves, I highly recommend Classic Storybook Fables. You won’t regret it, and your kids will thank you during cozy read-aloud time.

-Hannah