Zach LarkinsGRIMM TALES
My wife used to look after a little 9 year old girl for a while. The little one was quite proud of her advanced status in school, being ahead of the rest of the class in things like math, reading, spelling, etc. So for Christmas last year, my wife wanted to get her a book she could sink her teeth into. Having read ‘Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm' as a child herself, my wife figured this would be the perfect book. It was thick, implying a lot of reading material, and the type was regular size, implying it wasn't just another kiddie book. So we bought one for the little girl and one for ourselves. I'd never read the Brothers Grimm.
This book is not for little kids. I am too old to believe in fairy tales and while I can appreciate the stories and the writing, it is a book more suited for someone about 15 or 16 years old. When I was 9, I was still enthralled by the Disney notion and versions of the different fairy tales that stemmed from the Brothers. Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, et al. What first got to me was the endings of the stories. Where Disney had Prince Charming marry the fair maiden, ride off into the sunset together and live happily ever after, the Brothers end their stories by telling you that they lived in great joy until they died.
Granted, it is up to the reader or viewer to realize that ‘happily ever after' is only going to last so long. After all, we all die sooner or later, but the ways the Grimm's put it sort of takes the blush off the rose. There are other tales wherein everyone just dies. Period. End of story. A bit harsh for a children's book, I would say.
Both Disney and the Grimm's have animals that talk. Think Bambi, the Jungle Book, the Tortoise and the Hare. But Disney's animals generally only speak to other animals. The Grimm boys have the animals talking to humans. Not being the coldest beer in the fridge, this would have caused me problems at a young age. I would probably have been scarred for life if I'd seen Dr. Doolittle shortly after reading some of these stories. At best, I would have slept with the lights on for some time after reading certain tales.
These fairy tales are a good read, and should be read. But not by youngsters and not to youngsters. Save them until the child is a bit older. Like maybe after he finds out there is no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. He'll get a lot more out of them and won't be hit with any of life's realities before he's ready for them.
This book is not for little kids. I am too old to believe in fairy tales and while I can appreciate the stories and the writing, it is a book more suited for someone about 15 or 16 years old. When I was 9, I was still enthralled by the Disney notion and versions of the different fairy tales that stemmed from the Brothers. Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, et al. What first got to me was the endings of the stories. Where Disney had Prince Charming marry the fair maiden, ride off into the sunset together and live happily ever after, the Brothers end their stories by telling you that they lived in great joy until they died.
Granted, it is up to the reader or viewer to realize that ‘happily ever after' is only going to last so long. After all, we all die sooner or later, but the ways the Grimm's put it sort of takes the blush off the rose. There are other tales wherein everyone just dies. Period. End of story. A bit harsh for a children's book, I would say.
Both Disney and the Grimm's have animals that talk. Think Bambi, the Jungle Book, the Tortoise and the Hare. But Disney's animals generally only speak to other animals. The Grimm boys have the animals talking to humans. Not being the coldest beer in the fridge, this would have caused me problems at a young age. I would probably have been scarred for life if I'd seen Dr. Doolittle shortly after reading some of these stories. At best, I would have slept with the lights on for some time after reading certain tales.
These fairy tales are a good read, and should be read. But not by youngsters and not to youngsters. Save them until the child is a bit older. Like maybe after he finds out there is no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. He'll get a lot more out of them and won't be hit with any of life's realities before he's ready for them.
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
yep, I wasn't allowed to read Grimm until I was in my first year of highschool...
And you're right, they're not made for younger children...My suggestion for all the parents of young kids out there is, stick with Disney!
LOL
Great read my friend...
Take care,
Nick
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern