World Literature

Do you remember having fairy tales read to you when you were a child? One of my favorites was The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I remember re-enacting it with a friend again and again. It’s a wonderful memory.

Fairy tales are often among the first stories that parents read to their young children. They are easy to read and easy to understand, and kids usually love them. And because parents often remember having these same stories read to them as children, they can evoke a bit of nostalgia as well.

I have some fun fairy tales to share with you this month, but these are not your typical fairy tales. These are fairy tales with a twist, otherwise known as “fractured” fairy tales. Best enjoyed after your child is familiar with the traditional story, fractured fairy tales begin with the premise of the well-known fairy tale, but that’s where the similarity ends. The twists and turns away from the expected will surprise and delight your child. Don’t be surprised if you enjoy reading these stories as much as your kids enjoy listening to them!

Fairy Tales with a Twist

Read the synopses of a few favorites below, and to take with you on your next visit to the library.

Bubba the Cowboy Prince
by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by James Warhola

Are you ready for a fairy tale gone Country Western? Just pull on your cowboy boots and try Bubba on for size. With a little Texas magic and the help of his fairy god-cow, Bubba the Cowboy Prince goes from being a smelly ranch hand on his stepdaddy’s ranch to being the most popular guy at the ball. Move over, Cinderella, Bubba’s comin’!