Reading the classic fairytales is a rite of passage for many of us. They are stories that can not only spark a never-ending love for literature, but also teach us important moral lessons for how we live our lives. For these reasons, I was really excited for Bold Tales for Brave-Hearted Boys, a collection of classic tales revitalised for boys in the twenty-first century, each individually illustrated. It did not disappoint.

The collection includes ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Whilst retaining all the excitement and action of the originals, these stories show a contemporary conception of what it means to be a man: the characters in these stories are sensitive, loyal, scared, caring, confused and, of course, brave – all at once. The classics are the classics for a reason. With beautiful illustrations and an important message to boot, Bold Tales for Brave-Hearted Boys is essential reading for ages 7+.

Jeremy George works as a bookseller at Readings Malvern