I’ve said before that fairy tales, as they were originally told and shared, weren’t strictly for kids. However, they certainly have become synonymous with children’s literature today. There are myriad reasons for that, but I wanted to take a closer look at one of them today: The Lang Fairy Books.
Category Archives: Fairy Tale Facts
Fairy Tales and the Rule of Three
The number three crops up a lot in fairy tales. Three wishes, three princes on a quest, three trials to overcome, three nights at a ball. But is that just a coincidence, or is there a deeper reason behind the choice of number? (Of course there’s a deeper reason. I wouldn’t be writing this blogContinue reading “Fairy Tales and the Rule of Three”
Fairy Tale Facts: The Firebird and Princess Vasilissa
Phoenixes are representative of renewal, rebirth, a fresh start, so it felt appropriate to kick off the new year with a closer look at a story featuring one. “The Firebird and Princess Vasilissa” comes from Russian Fairy Tales (or Russian Folk Tales). It is one of the largest collections of fairy tales in the world,Continue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: The Firebird and Princess Vasilissa”
Myth or Magic: Are Fairy Tales for Kids?
I got a really great question in the comments of my last Myth or Magic post (leave your own for me to answer in future installments): Why did Disney pick gruesome fairy tales and try to make them the happily ever after versions we know? Were there no happy and well written fairy tales theyContinue reading “Myth or Magic: Are Fairy Tales for Kids?”
The Brains Behind The Beauty (and the Beast)
Fairy tales are a beautiful genre of literature, tracing cultural mindsets and priorities through time and across the globe. Their origin as oral tales makes them profoundly unique, as no two tellings were ever exactly the same. But at the same time, that can make it hard for anyone to trace their history. There haveContinue reading “The Brains Behind The Beauty (and the Beast)”
The Bold, The Brave, and The Bloodthirsty
Cinderella is, perhaps, one of the most well-known and well-loved fairy tale heroines. She’s certainly one of my favorites, with variations and versions of her featuring in cultures around the world, both ancient and modern. But Cinderella has faced her share of criticisms over the ages and different depictions. The one I see most oftenContinue reading “The Bold, The Brave, and The Bloodthirsty”
Fairy Tale Facts: Jack and the Beanstalk
There are some fairy tale images that just stick with you. A glass slipper alone on a staircase. An isolated tower with braided hair hanging out the window. A castle surrounded by thorny vines. A rose with falling petals. A magic mirror and a poisoned apple. A giant beanstalk stretching through the clouds.
Mermaids Around the World
As I sat down to brainstorm a blog post (and as I’m writing, as a matter of fact), my friend Bex finally convinced me to watch the 2023 live action The Little Mermaid. I wouldn’t say I’ve been avoiding it, but it hasn’t been high on my to-do list (shocking, I know, given that I’mContinue reading “Mermaids Around the World”
Fairy Tale Facts: King Thrushbeard
In December 1812, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their first book: volume one of Kinder- und Hausmärchen ( or Children’s and Household Tales). The fifty-second story in their collection was called “King Thrushbeard,” and that story is the topic of today’s post. So let’s dive in!
Once Upon a Start
It’s been said (and sung) that the beginning is a very good place to start. And figuring out how to start is a problem writers and creators have faced since they began creating. A good opening has to catch the audience’s attention, draw them in, and set the tone for the whole story or piece.Continue reading “Once Upon a Start”
Kate G. Jameson 