The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar

For example, in 'Little Red Riding Hood', first published by Perrault in 1697, the heroine was originally eaten up by the wolf, but the more popular Brothers Grimm version, where the girl and her grandmother are rescued by a huntsman, became the dominant narrative. Most of them existed for many centuries before being written down, and over time they have evolved through the oral tradition and as a result of changing moral and cultural mores, not to mention simple personal preference. Arthur Rackham, Charles Perrault and George Cruikshank are among many of the artists whose magnificent work is displayed in the book alongside annotations which give each story a historical and cultural context. The accompanying illustrations are from earlier eras, and are much more powerful than much contemporary, 'safe' illustration, which can so often dilute and detract from the real essence of these often disturbing fables. The introduction by Maria Tatar, an expert on the history and culture of fairy tales through the ages, reminds us how vital these stories are to us as children, how they bring the imagination to life and help to form an understanding of wealth, poverty, conflict, romance, power, desire, elation and fear, as well as giving perspectives on 'good' and 'evil'. Read moreīeautifully presented and illustrated, with brilliant annotations, this large volume of fairy tales is for both children and adults. Tatar presents twenty-six classic stories - including 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Little Red Hiding Hood,' 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' and 'The Little Mermaid.' She has personally retranslated the stories that did not appear originally in English and has also assembled over 300 often rare, mostly four-color photographs, paintings, and illustrations, creating a volume that will rank as one of the finest fairy tale collections in many decades.

By providing children with powerful models for navigating reality, Tatar shows, these tales help children survive in a world ruled by adults. Challenging the notion that fairy tales can be read for their morals and used to make model citizens of little children, Tatar guides readers through the stories, exploring their historical origins, their cultural complexities, and their psychological effects. e field of folklore and children's literature.

The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales celebrates the best-loved stories of childhood through the vision of Maria Tatar, a leading expert in th. Not since Bruno Bettelheim's The Uses of Enchantment has there been such an illuminating contribution to the world of children's fairy tales.

The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar