Book Cover of English Fairy Tales

English Fairy Tales

by Joseph Jacobs

Jack the Giant-Killer, Tom Thumb, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Henny Penny, Dick Whittington, The Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood and a host of immortal characters are found in this delightful collection of English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. The book made its first appearance in 1890 and has remained a firm favorite with both young and old ever since. Fairy tales have traditionally emanated from France and Germany. The famous compilations by La Fontaine and the Brothers Grimm have overshadowed children's literature for centuries. Yet, many of the stories we recount to children today have an English origin, something that we were unaware of. The author, Joseph Jacobs, was an Australian folklorist and historian who painstakingly compiled them from various sources. In the preface to the first edition he recounts how he collected some stories from the descendants of English immigrants in America and Australia, while he sourced others from English gypsies and old ballads. In many cases he had to rewrite and retell those stories which existed in verse form or in ancient dialects. Older forms of English had to be tailored to suit modern readers, while some of the more objectionable parts had to be discarded. Wicked step-mothers, rampaging giants, damsels in distress, gallant princes and evil spells are some of the staples in this fascinating collection.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1890

Authors

Joseph Jacobs image

Joseph Jacobs

Australia

Joseph Jacobs (29 August 1854 – 30 January 1916) was an Australian folklorist, translator, literary critic, social scientist, historian and writer of English literature who became a notable coll...

Books by Joseph Jacobs

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Novelle per un anno, vol. 07: Tutt'E Tre Cover image

Novelle per un anno, vol. 07: Tutt'E Tre by Luigi Pirandello

This collection of short stories, part of Pirandello's larger work *Novelle per un anno*, delves into the complexities of human existence. Pirandello'...

Three Bears of Porcupine Ridge Cover image

Three Bears of Porcupine Ridge by Jean M. Thompson

This collection of twenty-four charming tales features a delightful cast of woodland creatures. Timothy Mouse, Little Red Doe, Dame Woodchuck, King M...

Among the Meadow People  Cover image

Among the Meadow People by Clara Dillingham Pierson

Lovely book of nature written for children by teacher and naturalist Clara Dillingham Pierson. This book in the "Among the People" series explores the...

Australian Fairy Tales Cover image

Australian Fairy Tales by James Hume-Cook

It is a captivating collection of enchanting stories that will the readers into the magical world of Australian folklore. This book weaves together a...

Not Quite Eighteen Cover image

Not Quite Eighteen by Susan Coolidge

Not Quite Eighteen is a delightful collection of children’s stories that range from moral to whimsical. From unfinished fairy tales and daydreams abou...

Hans Christian Andersen: Fairytales and Short Stories Volume 3, 1848 to 1853 Cover image

Hans Christian Andersen: Fairytales and Short Stories Volume 3, 1848 to 1853 by Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen: Fairytales and Short Stories Volume 3, 1848 to 1853 is a collection of some of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved works....

Black Cat Vol. 01 No. 12 September 1896 Cover image

Black Cat Vol. 01 No. 12 September 1896 by Various

The Black Cat was a monthly literary magazine that published original short stories, often about uncanny or fantastical topics. Many of the magazine's...

Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Cover image

Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris by Honoré de Balzac

In Balzac's "Lost Illusions: A Distinguished Provincial at Paris," Lucien de Rubempré, a young man with literary aspirations, leaves his provincial li...

Anyhow Stories: Moral and otherwise Cover image

Anyhow Stories: Moral and otherwise by Lucy Clifford

A collection of stories and poems for children by British novelist, journalist, and playwright Lucy Lane Clifford, better known during her lifetime as...

Wild Life in Woods and Fields Cover image

Wild Life in Woods and Fields by Arabella B. Buckley

Wild Life in Woods and Fields by Arabella B. Buckley is a collection of stories that will encourage children to become little naturalists and explore...

Reviews for English Fairy Tales

No reviews posted or approved, yet...