Fairy Tales
and how to
them
Who Said It?
 “If
you want your children to be
intelligent, read them fairy
tales. If you want them to be
more intelligent, read them
more fairy tales.
When I examine myself and my
methods of thought, I come to
the conclusion that the gift of
fantasy has meant more to me
than any talent for abstract, ~ Albert
positive thinking.”
Einstein
1879-1955
What are fairy tales?
 To
many the word fairytale may conjure up
images such as Cinderella, Little Red
Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and
others.
 However,
children.
fairytales were not always for
What are fairy tales?
 Back
when these stories were first told
around campfires, in taverns, and in some
medieval villages, there were very few kids
present.
 The
parables were often violent in nature
and served as a source of entertainment
for peasants after a long day’s work.
What are fairy tales?

As their popularity spread, fairy tales came to
have a major influence on children’s
literature.
 They have also become a heavy influence in
movies, sitcoms, and advertisements as they
are so popular and widely known.
Definition

A fairy tale is a type of short
narrative that typically
features folkloric characters,
such as fairies, goblins, elves,
trolls, dwarves, giants or
gnomes, and usually magic
or enchantments.

However, only a small
number of the stories refer to
fairies.
Definition

Fairy tales are part of the oral tradition of
literature.

They are old stories that tell of man’s
problems, fears, and hopes.

What makes a fairy tale different from folklore,
fables, and tall tales is its use of fantasy and
magic.
Often fairy tales involve ordinary people who have
experiences of a supernatural kind and are affected
by charms, disguises, spells, or other fantastic
occurrences.
In The Sleeping Beauty, a princess is
shut up by enchantment in a castle and
sleeps for 100 years; the thick wood that
grows up around the castle is penetrated
by a prince who awakens the princess
with a kiss.
Origins
 Most
modern versions of fairy tales come
from three sources:



The Grimm Brothers from Germany
Hans Christian Anderson from Denmark
Frenchman Charles Perrault, the collector of
the "Mother Goose" tales.
Although these authors lived long ago and far away...
Andersen--Denmark
Perrault--France
Us-United
States
Grimm Brothers--Germany
...the appeal and popularity of the tales, continue to
entertain us and we live happily
ever after.
Elements of a Fairy Tale
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Does NOT need to
include fairies.
Set in the past—usually
significantly long ago.
Include magic, fantasy,
supernatural, or makebelieve aspects.
May contain characters
such as fairies, witches,
elves, pixies, magicians,
fairy godparents, etc.
Good characters vs. evil
6. May include objects,
people, or events in
threes.
7. Focus the plot on a
problem or conflict that
needs to be solved.
8. Modern versions often
have happy endings
9. Usually teach a lesson or
demonstrate values
important to the culture.
Popular Fairy Tales








Sleeping Beauty
Cinderella
Rapunzel
Jack and the
Beanstalk
Snow White
Beauty and the Beast
The Frog Prince
Red Riding Hood






Hansel and Gretel
Rumpelstiltskin
Snow Queen
Thumbelina
The Emperor’s New
Clothes
Aladdin and the
Wonderful Lamp
Fractured Fairy Tales
When authors modernize or
change one or more of the
elements of the story, the
story is called a fractured
fairy tale.
Assignment
 Use
familiar characters, plots, and
settings from traditional fairy tales
to create “fractured” versions.
Change the…
 Setting
 Characters
 Point
of View
 Time Period
 Magic Elements
 You
could have characters from different
stories meet.
Criteria
 Must
be in true fairy tale form
 You may alter the storyline
 You may add an unexpected twist
 You may create a contemporary
 (modern) version
 All elements of a story must be present
 As always it must be school
appropriate 
Steps
 Select
a fairy tale.
 Read the original version.
 Identify elements of a story within. Map
these out on work sheet.
 Brainstorm your ideas for the new
story.
 Create your fractured fairy tale.
 Use computer for final copy.
Generate Ideas
Let’s
look at some fractured fairy
tales present in advertisements,
sitcoms, songs, and movies to
get your brain in creative
thinking mode!
Write down any ideas that
come into your mind as you
watch and listen.
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Sitcoms/Cartoons
 Once
Upon a Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rga4rp
4j5TY
 Simpsons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaIDphNRWc
Music
 Fairy
Tale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgSeF9
IBc1M&feature=related
 Little
Red Riding Hood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFjoQQE5W4&feature=related
Movies
 Shrek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnM_3K_tzw&feature=related
 Ella Enchanted
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myEbJ8
NCWAo
 Beastly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neo6W
1f7hyY&feature=relmfu
 Snow White and the Huntsman
http://www.youtube.com/user/clevverTV?v
=SQaZRqlezG4&feature=pyv
Magic or Enchantment