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.
Tag Archives: Fairy Tales
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)”
8 Books to Read If You Love Wicked
Wicked: For Good premieres this week, and as a full-blown theater kid, you’d better believe I’m losing my mind about it. My best friend and braintwin (the Glinda to my Elphaba but with less drama in our shared history) is coming for a long weekend so that we can hole up in the theater withContinue reading “8 Books to Read If You Love Wicked”
Beyond the Page: My 6 Favorite Fairy Tales on Stage
I’ll be the first to admit that the stage may be one of the hardest places to adapt a fairy tale. After all, a key element of any fairy tale is the magic that is inherently missing in our everyday life. While special effects can mimic magic, movies and animated features have an advantage inContinue reading “Beyond the Page: My 6 Favorite Fairy Tales on Stage”
What’s In a Name
Romeo and Juliet has never ranked among my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays, but I have to admit there are some lines from it that have stuck with me. “What’s in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other word would smell as sweet.So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,Retain that dear perfection which he owesWithout that title.” Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2 It’s a beautiful sentiment Juliet expresses here, explaining that Romeo’s name, the hated name of her family’s enemy, doesn’tContinue reading “What’s In a Name”
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”
Myth or Magic: A Forgotten Face
Myth or Magic is back! That’s right, my favorite series that answers pressing questions and busts popular myths about fairy tales has returned with yet another question to answer. No one specifically submitted this question, but it’s one I’ve heard a lot over the years. Why didn’t the prince (or anyone else) recognize Cinderella? SometimesContinue reading “Myth or Magic: A Forgotten Face”
Kate G. Jameson 