If you're picturing simple bedtime stories, think again. Oscar Wilde's Children's Stories is a collection of fairy tales that play by their own rules. The plots are deceptively simple, but they're packed with meaning that sticks with you.

The Story

This book gathers Wilde's most famous tales, like 'The Happy Prince' and 'The Selfish Giant.' In 'The Happy Prince,' a gilded statue, once a sheltered prince, can now see all the suffering in his city. With the help of a little swallow, he gives away his gold leaf and jeweled eyes to help the poor, piece by piece. 'The Selfish Giant' builds a wall to keep children out of his beautiful garden, only to find that without their laughter, spring never comes. The garden is trapped in perpetual winter. Each story follows this pattern—a magical or strange situation reveals a deep truth about kindness, sacrifice, or love.

Why You Should Read It

What gets me about these stories is how they refuse to be simple. The happy endings often feel bittersweet. The nightingale dies for a rose the student casually discards. The Happy Prince is melted down, his lead heart thrown on a trash heap. Wilde doesn't shield us from sadness or injustice. Instead, he shows that real beauty and goodness often come from those hard places. The characters aren't just 'good' or 'bad.' The Giant is selfish, but he's also capable of profound change. These tales treat children—and by extension, us—as people who can handle complex emotions. They're beautiful, sad, funny, and deeply moral without ever feeling preachy.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves stories that work on two levels. It's a gorgeous read-aloud for thoughtful kids who ask 'why?' a lot. But it's maybe even better for adults who remember the sting of childhood lessons and are ready to see them in a new, more poignant light. It's for readers who believe that a good story should leave you with a feeling, not just a plot point. If you want fairy tales with soul, wisdom, and a touch of beautiful melancholy, Oscar Wilde's collection is waiting for you.