Summer Library Reading Program 2020

First christened contes de fee by French writer Madame d'Aulnoy in 1697, fairy tales, handed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years, were initially intended for both adults and children. In the early 19th century, brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm toned down the violence and sexual overtones in their collected German folk tales to make them more suitable for younger readers. Although scholars continue to argue over the origins and meanings of these magical stories, few dispute their entertainment value, as evidenced by their continued popularity in print and on screen. Fairy tales combine adventure and romance with the timeless themes of love, honor, family, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil. Is it any wonder, then, that so many contemporary authors turn to fairy tales for inspiration?

Below we present a few of our favorites. If you haven't gotten lost in a good fairy tale since you were a child, this is a good place to start.