Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm is one of the best-known and beloved collections of folk stories ever compiled. This beloved collection of German folk tales, collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and first published in 1812, continues to capture children’s imaginations many generations later.
The brothers first collected their stories while they were working as librarians in Kassel, a city in the state of Hessen. Jacob and Wilhelm were both fascinated by folklore and were inspired to collect stories of their native Germany. They had both studied German philology and were very familiar with the works of their predecessors, noting the differences and similarities between their stories. Through painstaking research and oral accounts, Jacob and Wilhelm shaped the stories into the 195 tales we recognize today.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales cover a wide range of stories from tales of comedy and morality to stories with dark and sinister undertones. Many of the stories feature princesses, witches and enchanted animals. Well-known tales such as “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel” and “Hansel and Gretel” are included in the collection. The stories are entertaining, but also feature moral messages and lessons for children.
The collection includes stories set in a variety of locations and settings, allowing readers to easily enter the world of each tale. Grimm’s classic stories are unique in that they reflect a variety of German-speaking cultures, including bourgeois society as well as rural people and their customs. This vast collection of tales is still loved and enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Unlike many other collections of fairy tales, the ones in Grimm’s Fairy Tales were not intended to be read to children by an adult narrator. Instead, Jacob and Wilhelm wanted the tales to appeal to very young readers. The stories are written in an accessible, simple language and feature only a minimal amount of descriptive text. This makes the tales quite easy to enjoy and understand.
The tales have also been adapted in various ways for different generations, such as for stage musicals, films, animated feature films, television series and web series. They have also served as inspiration for many authors and poets, featuring in several notable works of literature.
The stories included in the works of Grimm's Fairy Tales have become timeless classics. Each story features a unique blend of characters, settings and morals that children from all backgrounds can still enjoy. Although the themes and morals explored in the tales certainly reflect the values of a largely rural society, they continue to spark joy in readers of all ages.
