For families seeking timeless enchantment, this collection offers classic fairy tales filled with magic, adventure, and lessons of bravery and kindness.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is ready to explore the classic, often darker, origins of familiar fairy tales. This celebrated collection gathers 37 stories from across Europe, including famous tales like 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty' alongside lesser-known gems. The stories delve into timeless themes of good versus evil, bravery in the face of fear, and the triumph of cleverness and perseverance. While suitable for ages 7-14, these original versions contain more peril and folkloric justice than modern retellings, making them an excellent choice for co-reading to spark conversations about morality, consequences, and the enduring power of storytelling.
Contains witches, giants, hungry wolves, and dark forests that can be frightening.
Cultural Content GapMild
Some stories reflect historical gender roles and social hierarchies that may feel dated.
Sensitive Topics
These tales are presented in their more traditional, un-sanitized forms. Death and violence are treated directly and are often key plot points (e.g., a witch being cooked in an oven, a wolf being cut open). The approach is secular and matter-of-fact, reflecting folkloric justice where evil is punished severely and graphically. Resolutions are almost always hopeful for the heroes, but the journey to get there can be fraught with peril and loss.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 8 to 12 who is a strong reader, loves classic fantasy, and is curious about the “real versions” of stories they may only know from sanitized adaptations. This reader is ready for more complex vocabulary and is not easily frightened by folkloric peril or violence.
Parent Prep
Parents should absolutely preview stories, especially if reading with a sensitive child. Stories like "The Goose-Girl" (with its brutal punishment) or "Hansel and Gretel" are good ones to read together first. The language can be slightly archaic, so co-reading can help with comprehension and provide opportunities for discussion about outdated social norms. A parent has a child who is asking for “scarier” or “more grown-up” stories, or a parent wants to introduce their child to foundational texts of Western literature to build cultural literacy and spark deeper conversations.
Age Experience
A younger child (7-9) will latch onto the magic, action, and clear morality. An older child (10-14) can appreciate the nuances, the clever wordplay, the structure of the tales, and can begin to analyze them as historical and cultural artifacts, comparing them to modern stories.
What Makes It Special
Among countless fairy tale books, Lang’s collection is a significant historical anthology. Its value lies in its breadth and its faithful (for its time) presentation of the tales. It offers an authentic glimpse into the tradition of oral storytelling and provides a richer, more complex experience than a single, modern retelling.
Read plot summary
This is a foundational collection of 37 European fairy tales gathered by Andrew Lang. It includes widely known stories such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Rumpelstiltskin," as well as many less common tales like "The Bronze Ring" and "The White Cat." The stories are populated with princesses, clever commoners, giants, witches, and magical creatures. Most follow a clear narrative arc where a protagonist overcomes adversity through courage, kindness, or cleverness, leading to a just, if sometimes harsh, resolution.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In 'Puss in Boots,' the cat tells many lies to help his master. Do you think he was right to do so? When is it okay or not okay to be dishonest to help someone?
2
Compare the version of 'Cinderella' in this book with other versions you know. What parts were the same, and what was different? Why do you think stories change over time?
3
In many stories, like 'Hansel and Gretel,' children must outsmart dangerous adults. What skills or character traits help them survive and succeed?
4
The punishments for villains in these stories can be very harsh. For example, in 'The Goose-Girl,' the false bride is put into a barrel with nails. Do you think this punishment was fair?
