I won't dive in to the deep waters of the discussion over whether to censor traditional fairy tales for young readers---whether to take out the gruesome or scary parts, whether to make sure they have morally correct endings, and so on. That discussion has been carried on by life-long students of literature, child development, mythologies, and the like; and it began with the very first publication of the Grimm's brothers collection in 1812---or even earlier. I would be in way over my head if I joined this group.
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| from "Grimm's Fairy Tales, Complete Edition, illustrated by Josef Scharl" |
But I can dabble here in the shallows, and talk about my own experiences with fairy tales.
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| from "Andersen's Fairy Tales", illustrated by Arthur Szyk |
As a child, I read voraciously. I took armfuls of the books I had chosen out of the public library; and I read and re-read the volumes that filled the bookshelves and cluttered the rooms in our home. Fairy tales were one of my main staples.
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| from "Grimm's Fairy Tales," illustrated by Fritz Kredel |
As a child, life could be bewildering, confusing, hurtful; even terrifying. I didn't consciously realize it then, but I know now that immersing myself in fairy tales helped me to navigate the turbulent parts of my days---to integrate all those contradictory parts into a cohesive whole.
I am glad that my parents did not try to control what I read. I am glad that I had access to the magic, symbolism, metaphor, and mythology of uncensored fairy tales. I was too young to understand logical and intellectual explanations about life, but I could understand the messages embedded in fairy tales. Fairy tales: for me, a treasure-house of wisdom.
(Hoping this is not redundant) The first fairy tale I remember (trying to read, studying the illustration) was Andersen's Little Match Girl.It made me terribly sad, and ever afterward have pity on orphans, but I knew that my parents would care for and protect me. I am grateful to them and their parents for all the books, the bed time or snow-time reading, and by their total lack of censorship.
ReplyDeleteOh, I SO agree that fairy tales are the best! In fact, I recently picked up a copy of Grimm's fairy tales at a thrift store and have been reading them again! This edition is illustrated by Lily Owens.
ReplyDeleteI have a memory of when our mother, Nancy D. Watson, was writing The Birthday Goat, and her editor (or publisher) wanted her to omit some of the fiercer/scarier parts about the infamous Pig family. I wrote an incensed letter to the person in charge, saying how Mom's story was very tame compared to fairy tales by the Brother's Grimm! I don't think I won my case, though! :-)
I'm happy to have found your blog! My children and I are a fan of your books. And your post here illustrates one of the biggest reasons childrens' stories are so important: fairy tales aren't unnecessary nonsense, but tools that children can grasp as they learn to navigate life.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you discovered my blog---and very happy indeed to hear from a fan. Thank you!
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