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Quick answer: The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is best for ages 8 to 12. It’s a fun fairy-tale adventure in which twins fall into a world where Cinderella and Red Riding Hood are real, with some peril and villainy but no swearing, romance beyond crushes or graphic violence.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 8 to 12 (7+ as a read-aloud)
Reading level: Grades 3 to 7
Genre: Middle-grade fantasy
Published: 2012–2017, six books
Main concerns: Mild peril, villains, a father’s death
Author: Chris Colfer, actor from Glee
The Land of Stories is a favorite with kids who love fairy tales and want to see what happens after “happily ever after.” Written by actor Chris Colfer, it’s funny, heartwarming and full of familiar characters with surprising twists. It’s very family-friendly. This guide explains what’s in it and how to decide when your child is ready.
Table of Contents
What Is The Land of Stories About?
Twelve-year-old twins Alex and Conner Bailey are still grieving their father when their grandmother gives them an old book of fairy tales. The book turns out to be a portal, and the twins fall into the Land of Stories, where fairy-tale characters are real.
To get home, they must collect the items needed for the Wishing Spell, traveling through kingdoms ruled by Cinderella, Snow White and Red Riding Hood while dodging the Evil Queen. The series continues with bigger adventures across six books.
Start with The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer.
Check price of The Wishing Spell on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Violence | Mild | Peril, fights and villains, but nothing graphic. |
| Scary content | Mild | Witches, wolves and the Evil Queen. |
| Grief | Moderate | The twins’ father has died, which is handled gently. |
| Language | None | No swearing. |
| Romance | Very mild | Crushes and fairy-tale romances. |
| Positive messages | Strong | Family, teamwork, imagination and the power of stories. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is The Land of Stories a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| 6 to 7 | Fine as a read-aloud. |
| 8 to 9 | A great fit for independent readers. |
| 10 to 12 | The sweet spot for the whole series. |
| 13 and up | Still fun, especially for fairy-tale fans. |
How to Use The Land of Stories at Home
The books make a natural bridge to classic fairy tales. After each book, try reading the original Grimm or Perrault version of a story that appears, such as Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood, and compare how the characters differ. Kids enjoy spotting what Chris Colfer changed.
The series is also a fun prompt for creative writing. Ask your child to imagine what happens to their favorite fairy-tale character after the story ends, then write or draw it.
Is The Land of Stories Okay for a 7-Year-Old?
Yes, as a read-aloud for most 7-year-olds. The fairy-tale characters are familiar, and the humor keeps it light. Some kids may need comfort about the twins’ father’s death.
As independent reading, the books are best for confident readers of 8 and up, since they’re fairly long.
Why Kids Love The Land of Stories
Kids love seeing familiar fairy-tale characters in new ways: Red Riding Hood as a vain queen, Goldilocks as an outlaw. The twins are relatable, with Alex the bookworm and Conner the joker.
The books also encourage kids to read the original fairy tales, which makes them a great gateway to classic stories.
What Parents Should Know
- It’s very clean. No swearing or inappropriate content.
- There are six main books. Plus companion books and a spin-off series.
- The books get longer. Later volumes are hefty.
- It’s great for read-alouds. Families enjoy the humor together.
- It sparks interest in fairy tales. Kids often seek out the originals.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for The Land of Stories
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of The Land of Stories.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- Which fairy-tale character would you want to meet?
- How are Alex and Conner different, and how do they help each other?
- What happens after happily ever after?
- Which villain is the most interesting?
- If you could visit any story world, which would it be?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These picks offer fairy-tale fun for different ages.
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale: ages 5 to 8. A princess secretly fights monsters. It’s a funny early chapter book.
Check price of The Princess in Black on Amazon
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: ages 9 and up. A clever retelling of Cinderella with a spirited heroine.
Check price of Ella Enchanted on Amazon
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani: ages 10 and up. Two friends are sent to a school that trains fairy-tale heroes and villains.
Check price of The School for Good and Evil on Amazon
Related: best books to read to your kids and 21 ways to inspire kids to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The Land of Stories for?
The Land of Stories is best for ages 8 to 12 and works as a read-aloud for 7-year-olds.
Is The Land of Stories appropriate for kids?
Yes. It has mild peril and villains but no swearing, romance or graphic violence.
How many Land of Stories books are there?
There are six main books, plus companion books and the spin-off series A Tale of Magic.
Who wrote The Land of Stories?
Chris Colfer, the actor known for the TV show Glee, wrote the series.
What should kids read after The Land of Stories?
The School for Good and Evil, Ella Enchanted and Keeper of the Lost Cities are popular next choices.