Tiền is a thirteen-year-old boy living in the United States with his Vietnamese refugee parents. He loves reading fairytales with his mother, using the stories to spend time together while she practices her English. He harbors a secret crush on his friend Julian and tries to figure out how to discuss his sexuality with his family.

Hiền is a hardworking mother who fled Vietnam by boat and resettled in the United States. She feels caught between two cultures, struggling to perfect her English while her son grows up speaking it fluently. She uses daily storytelling sessions to bond with Tiền and practice her language skills.

Vinh is Hiền's husband and Tiền's father, a fellow Vietnamese refugee who escaped his homeland alongside his wife. He works demanding night shifts at a diner to provide for his family in the United States. He maintains a quiet, steady presence at home and encourages his son's reading habits.

Claire is a supportive classmate who quickly deduces Tiền's feelings for their mutual friend Julian. She actively coordinates social events to make sure Tiền enjoys typical high school experiences, such as the upcoming school dance. She even secretly communicates with Tiền's mother to arrange a tailored jacket for him.

Julian is a kind and athletic student who serves as the object of Tiền's secret crush. He comes from an accepting family with gay relatives, making him a safe and non-judgmental presence. He genuinely values his friendship with Tiền and goes out of his way to include him in social activities.

Mrs. Flynn is a teacher at Tiền's school who enforces strict disciplinary rules. She misinterprets Tiền's emotional struggles and social interactions, responding to an outburst by assigning him detention. She also mandates that he attend faith counseling, further alienating the young student.

Father Niles is a school priest assigned to counsel Tiền after an incident at the school dance. He holds anti-gay views and actively discourages Tiền from being honest with his parents. His guidance drastically increases the boy's feelings of guilt and isolation.

Hiền's Aunt is an elder relative living in Vietnam who serves as a vital connection to Hiền's past. She possesses a deep knowledge of traditional Vietnamese folktales and understands the fluid, adaptable nature of stories. She comforts her niece when Hiền travels back to Vietnam to visit.

Hiền's Mother is an ailing woman living in Vietnam. She represents the home and family Hiền left behind when escaping by boat years prior. Her declining health weighs heavily on Hiền, who wishes she could bridge the physical gap to introduce her mother to Tiền.

Alera is the protagonist of the first fairytale Hiền and Tiền read together. She is a young woman who flees her home to avoid a forced marriage to a terrifying sea entity. She adopts a disguised identity while working in a castle kitchen, waiting until she feels safe enough to reveal who she really is.

Velvet is Alera's magical aunt who teaches her practical skills and provides her with enchanted items. She acts as a fierce guardian against those who wish to harm her niece. She utilizes her ability to speak with animals and transform her shape to ensure Alera's safety.

Prince Maxwell is a young royal who befriends Alera while under the impression she is a boy named Al. He values their genuine conversations and connection, remaining oblivious to her true identity even as he searches for the mysterious girl he dances with at the castle balls.

Gracia is the head cook and mother of the brothers who rescue Alera. She provides a practical, safe haven for the runaway girl in the castle. She offers her honest work and eventually encourages her to attend the castle's social events to reward her diligence.

The Old Man of the Sea is a powerful antagonist in the first fairytale. He attempts to force Alera into a marriage to settle an old bargain made by her father. He represents a looming, inescapable threat that forces the heroine to abandon her home.

Tấm is the protagonist of the second fairytale, a hardworking young woman subjected to cruel treatment by her stepfamily. She finds solace in a hidden garden where she befriends a magical fish. She maintains a connection to her deceased mother through the magic in her environment.

The antagonist of the second fairytale, the Stepmother subjects Tấm to endless chores and psychological manipulation. She constantly demands expressions of love and goes to horrific lengths to ensure her biological daughter remains favored over Tấm.

Cám is Tấm's favored stepsister. She actively aids her mother in tormenting Tấm, acting as a spy to uncover her stepsister's secrets. She is driven by intense jealousy over Tấm's beauty and magical fortunes.

The Magic Fish is a supernatural creature who lives in the garden pond and befriends Tấm. The fish shares a history with Tấm's deceased mother. It provides the lonely girl with much-needed companionship and magical assistance.

The Merchant is a wealthy man who marries Tấm after she attends his festival with the help of magical birds. He serves as a catalyst for her initial escape from her abusive stepfamily.

The protagonist of the third fairytale, the Little Mermaid trades her voice for human legs to pursue a man she saves from drowning. She endures excruciating physical pain to dance for him. She desperately hopes to win his heart despite her inability to speak her true feelings.

Brandon is the human man rescued by the Little Mermaid. He remains unaware of his savior's true identity and focuses his romantic attentions entirely on his friend Bertie. His actions inadvertently cause the mermaid deep emotional anguish.

Bertie is a human performer and Brandon's close friend. She casts the mute mermaid in her stage production, marveling at the girl's incredible dancing ability. She is highly perceptive and ultimately recognizes the true nature of the mermaid's devotion.

The Sea Witch is a powerful magical figure in the ocean who facilitates the mermaid's transformation. She strictly enforces the rules of her bargains. She extracts a severe physical toll from the mermaid in exchange for granting access to the human world.