Where did our fairy tales come from? [2 of 3 of series]

While writing Bertie, the Bookworm and the Bully Boys, several characters from our time honored fairy tales wander through my fabled forest. I wanted to know where these stories came from originally and what I found was fascinating.  Thought my readers might enjoy some of the background as much as I did. 

  The Brothers Grimm (1785 – 1863)  were German academics, cultural researchers, and authors who together collected folklore. They are among the most well-known storytellers of Europe. Their work popularized such stories as  “The Frog Prince” (Der Froschkönig), “Hansel and Gretel” (Hänsel und Gretel), “Rapunzel“, “Rumpelstiltskin” (Rumpelstilzchen), and “Snow White” (Schneewittchen). Their first collection of folk tales, Children’s and Household Tales (Kinder- und Hausmärchen), was published in 1812. During his life time the master animator, Walt Disney [1901-1966] adapted the ancient fables to film. 

Through the centuries the stories have been ‘cleaned up’. For example in one of the earlier versions of Cinderella the glass slipper was filled with the blood and toes of the wicked stepsisters.  Not really something we would want to read to our children today. I left it out of my fabled forest stories.

more about where our fairy tales came from next week…..please check back. Part 1 can still be found here in older postings.