Kish Guides: Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends: Classic Fairy Tales

Featured Authors: The Grimm Brothers

Painting by Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann (1865)
The names of German scholars Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm are practically synonymous with the Germanic fairy tale tradition. Their Children and Household Tales—published in several editions between 1812 and 1857—established standard versions of treasured stories like "Cinderella," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Sleeping Beauty." These early versions were often terrifying and violent. To see what Disney left out, check out some of the books below.

The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm by Jacob Grimm; Wilhelm Grimm
Grimm's Household Tales, illustrated by Jacob Grimm; Wilhelm Grimm; Mervyn Peake (Illustrator)
Call Number: GR166.K5313 2012
The Hard Facts of the Grimms' Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar
Call Number: PT921 .T38 2003

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Classic fairy tale collections

Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: a New English Version by Philip Pullman (Translator)
Call Number: GR166 .K5613 2012
"Suffused with romance and villainy, danger and wit, the Grimms' fairy tales have inspired Pullman's unique creative vision—and his beguiling retellings will draw you back into a world that has long cast a spell on the Western imagination." (Amazon Review)
The Complete Fairy Tales (The Perrault Collection) by Charles Perrault; Christopher Betts
Call Number: PQ1877 .A2 2010
Charles Perrault was one of the early collectors and adapters of fairy tales. "The superb translation by Christopher Betts exactly captures the tone and flavor of Perrault's world, and the delightful spirit of the originals." (Amazon Review)
Best Fairy Tales (by Hans Christian Andersen) by Hans Christian Andersen; Arthur Rackham (Illustrator); Ned Halley (Afterword by)
Call Number: PT8116 .E5 H37 2011
Here you'll find "The Ugly Duckling," "The Emperor's New Clothes," and of course "The Little Mermaid." Does the mermaid really get a happy ending? Check out this book and decide for yourself.
The Oxford Book of Modern Fairy Tales by Alison Lurie (Editor)
Call Number: PR1309.F26 O9 1993
"In The Oxford Book of Modern Fairy Tales, Alison Lurie has collected forty tales that date from the late nineteenth century up to the present. Here are trolls and princesses, magic and mayhem, morals to be told and lessons to be learned--all the elements of the classic fairy tale, in new and fantastical trappings." (Amazon review)
The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar (Editor, Translator)
Call Number: PN6071.F15 A66 2002
"The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales is a remarkable treasure trove, a work that celebrates the best-loved tales of childhood and presents them through the vision of Maria Tatar, a leading authority in the field of folklore and children's literature." (Amazon review)