Learning Czech with Fairy Tales
- TC
- 13. 7.
- Minut čtení: 4
I'm bringing you a list of 14+ popular fairytales read by Czech kids. They can be a great source of vocabulary. However, there are often many diminutives and dialectic and rhyming versions of words. There is a possibility to read them in a pdf format, listen to them or watch on YouTube. On YouTube you can set up automatic subtitles which are not perfect, but they could be of help.
O KOBLÍŽKOVI
Autor: Adolf Dudek
Úroveň: A1++
O ZVĚDAVÉM ŠTĚŇÁTKU
Autor: Miler & Hercíková
Úroveň: A2+
KUŘÁTKO A OBILÍ
Autor: František Hrubín & Zdeněk Miler
Úroveň: A2+
O BUDULÍNKOVI
Autor: a traditional folk tale
Úroveň: A2+
Obsah: Budulínek is a small boy who stays at home alone while his grandparents go out.
They tell him: “Don’t open the door!”But a clever fox comes and asks:“Budulínku, can I come in if I give you peas?”
Budulínek opens the door, and the fox takes him away in a sack!Luckily, his grandparents save him, and they catch the fox using a clever trick with a violin and a big bag.
Audio + text: https://www.pohadkozem.cz/o-budulinkovi/
KRTEK A KALHOTKY
Autor: Eduard Petiška a Zdeněk Miller
Úroveň: A2+
Obsah: This is a charming story about Krtek, a little mole who finds a piece of colorful fabric and decides he wants to have his own pair of pants with pockets.
He doesn’t know how to make pants, so he asks his animal friends for help.
The spider spins thread,
the crab cuts the fabric,
the swallow sews the pants.
In the end, Krtek gets beautiful pants with big pockets, where he puts nuts, berries, and small treasures.
KOCOUR MIKEŠ
Autor: Josef Lada
Úroveň: B1+
Obsah: Mikeš is a clever black cat who lives in the village of Hrusice with a kind shoemaker and his family. One day, Mikeš surprises everyone by learning to speak! He sets off on adventures, traveling through the countryside, meeting new friends, helping those in need, and learning life lessons. Despite his many travels, Mikeš always remembers his home and the people who love him.
RUMCAJS, MANKA A CIPÍSEK
Autor: Václav Čtvrtek
Úroveň: B1+
Obsah: Rumcajs is a kind-hearted, bearded shoemaker who becomes a cheerful outlaw living in the forest near the town of Jičín after a conflict with the arrogant mayor. Along with his strong will and sense of justice, Rumcajs uses his wits and strength to protect the forest and its creatures from greedy or cruel people.Manka is Rumcajs's wife, and Cipísek is their curious little son. Together, the family lives happily in the forest and faces adventures filled with humor, love, and courage. Cipísek often learns from his parents how to be brave, kind, and clever.
MOJE PRVNÍ POHÁDKY
Autor: Marie Tetourová
Úroveň: B1+
Obsah: This book consists of some most famous fairy tales such as O Karkulce (Little Red Riding Hood), O perníkové chaloupce (Hansel and Gretel), O šípkové Růžence (Sleeping Beauty), and O Popelce (Cinderella).
HONZÍKOVA CESTA
Autor: Bohumil Říha
Úroveň: (B1)
Obsah: Little Honzík travels alone from the city to visit his grandmother in the countryside for the first time. On his journey, he experiences the beauty of rural life, meets kind people, and learns to be independent and responsible. It’s a gentle, heartwarming story about growing up and the importance of family.
FERDA MRAVENEC
Autor: Ondřej Sekora
Obsah: Ferda is a hardworking and cheerful ant who always helps others. He’s clever, friendly, and loves to fix problems in creative ways. His adventures are full of fun, humor, and lessons about cooperation, kindness, and practical skills.
Úroveň: (B1+)
KOCOUR V BOTÁCH
Autor: Charles Perrault
Úroveň (B1+)
Obsah: This is a classic fairytale about a clever cat who wears boots and helps his poor master become rich and powerful. Using tricks and intelligence, the cat manages to impress a king and win a princess’s heart for his master.
POHÁDKY
Autor: Karel Jaromír Erben
Úroveň (B2+)
Obsah: A collection of Czech folk tales retold in a lively, accessible style. These stories come from traditional oral storytelling and reflect Czech folk wisdom, humor, morality, and the classic battle between cleverness and foolishness, good and evil.
The book typically includes around 12 short fairy tales, often featuring magical objects, tricksters, foolish characters, clever peasants, talking animals, and moral lessons.
POVÍDÁNÍ O PEJSKOVI A KOČIČCE
Autor: Karel Čapek
Úroveň: B2+
Obsah: these sweet and silly stories tell about the everyday life of a dog and a cat who try to live like people. They bake a cake, clean the house, take care of a doll, and much more — with often funny results. The tales teach friendship, care, and gentle humor.
PDF:
DEVATERO POHÁDEK
Autor: Karel Čapek
Úroveň: (B2+)
Obsah: It is a collection of nine whimsical and imaginative fairytales written by Karel Čapek. These stories blend humor, moral lessons, and clever twists, often reflecting Čapek's own unique worldview.