Fairy Tales and Fairy Stories

Fairy Tales Art

Discover the whimsical journey of the fairy tales genre that has captivated hearts worldwide. Immerse yourself in the delightful essence of magical elements, enchantments, and the unforgettable characters that dwell in these stories, from witches and fairies to giants and talking animals.

Where do Fairy Tales come from?

Préciosité is a literary style that comes from les précieuses, the witty and educated intellectual ladies of Paris. The name FairyTale was coined when the précieuses took up writing literary stories from their conversations and fun word games. The précieuses wrote their stories mainly for adults but knew that servants or women less privileged would repeat these stories to children.

Madame d'Aulnoy invented the term 'contes de fée', or fairy tale. "Beauty and the Beast" was written by Madame Gabrielle de Villeneuve in 1740. Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont rewrote "Beauty and the Beast" so as to be more suitable for children. This version, published in 1756 is the tale that is most popular today.


**Where do Fairy Tales come from?**
Fairy tales originate from the ancient oral storytelling traditions of diverse cultures worldwide. They began as folklore, legends, and myths and then evolved into mesmerizing stories performed in theater, penned in literature, adapted in film and television, and narrated through the ages.

Fairy tales plunge us into a universe where the impossible becomes possible and where creatures of fantasy such as fairies, dragons, and talking animals abide. Their enchanting storytelling style typically opens with a nod to time and place such as "Once upon a time in a place far away".

Fairytales started as oral stories taken from folklore, legends and myths. They have been told to children and adults since before recorded history. The origin of these fantasy tales, or any of these types of oral stories, is impossible to determine. This oral handing down from generation to generation came long before the written page. Tales were taught or acted out for each of the new generations. We do know that ancient cultures from all over the globe have similar stories. Ancient Egypt, c. 1300 BC, has the oldest known written Fairy story.

Two different theories exist on how similarities can exist between a fairytales story from different cultures and even different continents. One theory is that a particular tale started from one point and then over hundreds of years spread across cultures and continents. The second theory is that fairy stories are from similar experiences that humans have in most all cultures across all continents.


**Role of Fairy Tales**
These captivating narratives are not mere bedtime stories. They convey profound moral lessons and explore universal themes such as love, bravery, good versus evil. They enable us to see the world through a different lens, offer perspectives on societal norms, and ignite our imagination.

As Charles Dickens aptly stated, "In an utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected."



**Contribution by Legendary Authors**
Notable figures like the Brothers Grimm and Madame d'Aulnoy significantly influenced how these stories were recorded and perceived. These authors put effort into preserving oral tales onto paper, modifying them for a younger audience.

Little Red Riding Hood


On this note, tread lightly into the realm of fairy tales and their enchanting background.

**Creating Your Fairy Tale: A Few Tips**
Aspiring authors, here are a few tips to create your new-age fairy tale or revamp an existing one:
- Know your audience
- Choose your magical elements and characters wisely
- Tailor your language to fit the tone of your story
- Pay attention to your narrative structure
- Most importantly, weave in moral lessons subtly

We encourage you to create an enchanting universe in your fairy tale that will transport readers into a magical realm.


**How Fairy Tales Aid Child Development**
Parents and educators, did you know that fairy tales are not just entertaining but also help in molding children's emotional and cognitive development? Learn how these magical narratives can be used as informative tools [Link to another blog in the website].


**Join the Conversation**
We invite you to comment below with your favorite fairy tales or your unique interpretation of them.

**Check out Stories that Stood the Test of Time**
No exploration of fairy tales would be complete without honoring the ones that stood the test of time - from Cinderella to The Little Mermaid. Dive into our selection of these unforgettable tales. [Link to Fairy Tales section in the website].

Fairies and authors have spun their magic; let's continue to revisit and create these magical narratives for generations to come.

**Fairy Tales: A Genre that Never Grows Old**
Tolkien's "The Hobbit", George Orwell's "Animal Farm", L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", and numerous others, have donned the cloak of "fairy tales" before the fantasy genre was defined. The genre has sparked debates, but everyone agrees that fairy tales transcend age and time, making them a cherished part of our cultural heritage.

Lesson learned: Life may not be a "fairy tale", but it doesn't stop us from spinning captivating tales for everyone to relish!

Fairytales must be included in any site about fairies.  Here we will discuss the Origin and some of the Classic Fairy Tales.  We will also include a list of what I consider to be  my favorite.  In addition we will discuss the famous Aesop known as the originator of Fables.

The Brothers Grimm

Picture of The Brothers Grimm

Most tales were oral at this time. One of the first authors to try and capture these oral tales on paper were The Brothers Grimm(Pictured). These oral stories had to undergo many changes to be written and then printed under the Grimm name and still be fit for children. 



"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written for today’s child. It is a modern fairy tale that contains joy and wonderment without the heartbreak and horror that sometimes cause nightmares.


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