People of all ages — from all eras and cultures — are drawn to the magical worlds of these same stories. And so, storytellers adapt the tales for varying audiences. Based on their continuing republication, interest doesn’t seem to be waning. According to fairytale expert Marina Warner, a common thread between the stories is that they express hope in ways that are both familiar and amazing. As she writes, “The agents who bring about miracles of hope in the stories vary from place to place, as they rise from local belief systems which belong to tradition. The tradition may contain imaginary elements but also traces of history: fairies and goblins on the one hand, cunning beldames and stepmothers on the other.” What I’m excited about are the current attempts to diversify fairytales, pairing the traditional stories with characters and plot points with aspects updated to current beliefs and expectations. These fairytale board books, aimed at the youngest of humans, are doing a beautiful job at providing diversified updates on the classic stories while teaching language and motor skills.
Once Upon a Time: Fairytale Board Books
These nine fairytale board books will really appeal to young children and the adults reading with them, as they provide an invigorating mix of vivid illustrations, diverse settings, and familiar plots. Enjoy revisiting the stories and you will likely find new wonders within.
