Fairy tales have been passed down orally for centuries, so it’s hard tor trace their exact history. However, once they were written, it becomes easier to see how they’ve grown and change. But where did these stories of the fantastic come from? I may not have precise answers, but I can talk about where theContinue reading “A History of the Fairy Tale”
Tag Archives: Fairy Tales
Fairy Tale Facts: Rapunzel
I can’t believe I haven’t talked about Rapunzel yet! So here I go! It was first published by the Brothers Grimm in their 1812 collection, Children’s and Household Tales. What It’s About A young wife is pregnant. A window in her house overlooked a garden of a powerful enchantress. Day after day, she would sit at theContinue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: Rapunzel”
The Big Three: Perrault, Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm
I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog talking about fairy tales. In exploring the different stories, I’ve found what I consider to be the most famous authors of fairy tales; Charles Perrault, the Grimm Brothers, and Hans Christian Andersen. So today I’m going to dive a little more into their backgrounds. Charles PerraultContinue reading “The Big Three: Perrault, Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm”
Fairy Tale Facts: The Princess and the Pea
In May of 1835, Hans Christian Anderson published a brochure of four original fairy tales. One of the stories was the now-popular The Princess and the Pea. Today we’ll take a look at some aspects of the story. What It’s About A young prince wishes to marry a princess and travels the world to find a bride.Continue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: The Princess and the Pea”
Fairy Tale Facts: Rumplestiltskin
Rumplestiltskin is a fairy tale that I often forget about for chunks of time. Then I’ll stumble across some re-imagining of it that reminds me how great the story is. It was written by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812. What It’s About A poor miller, trying to gain some respect, boasts that hisContinue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: Rumplestiltskin”
Fairy Tale Facts: Little Red Riding Hood
I’m breaking away from the winter theme for a week (because it’s surprisingly hard to find them) to examine Little Red Riding Hood. This week the movie Into the Woods comes out (and I am beyond excited to see it!) and part of the story follows Little Red as she attempts to navigate the woods to her grandmother’sContinue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: Little Red Riding Hood”
Winter Tales: The Snow Queen
As I was choosing what tale to talk about this week, I was surprised that I hadn’t covered this one sooner. But I haven’t, so today I will! The Snow Queen was written by Han Christian Anderson, first published in 1844 (December 21, 1844, to be exact, almost 170 years ago to the day!). It providedContinue reading “Winter Tales: The Snow Queen”
Winter Tales: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
It’s getting closer and closer to Christmas, so for the next few weeks, I’m going to highlight some tales that are centered around Christmas or winter. To start us off, one of the most classic Christmas stories: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The story, first published in 1816, was turned into a balletContinue reading “Winter Tales: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”
Fairy Tale Facts: The Goose Girl
Today I’ll introduce you to yet another Grimm’s fairy tale, The Goose Girl, first published in 1815. What’s It About? A young princess is being sent to a neighboring kingdom by her widowed mother to marry the prince there. She leaves with her maid and her magical horse, Falada. Along the way, the princess loses theContinue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: The Goose Girl”
Fairy Tale Facts: The Wild Swans
The Wild Swans is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, first published in 1838. I’ve recently discovered this story and I love it! What’s it About? The story follows a young princess with eleven older brothers. (Has anyone else noticed that in fairy tales, 12 seems to be a common number of children to have?Continue reading “Fairy Tale Facts: The Wild Swans”
Kate G. Jameson 