Europa's Fairy Book

Name: Europa's Fairy Book
Author: Joseph Jacobs

By Joseph Jacobs

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Children & Young Adult Reading Mythology, Legends & Folklore Short Stories

About This Book

A collection of European folk-tales reconstructed from widespread variants and retold in an English storyteller's manner for young readers. The editor restores original plot formulas shared across countries and presents familiar narratives — including Cinderella-like stories, Beauty and the Beast, Swan Maiden tales, the Dancing Water/Singing Apple/Speaking Bird motif, and Androcles and the Lion — arranged with illustrations, a comparative preface, explanatory notes, and a list of incidents. The text aims to harmonize variant elements into coherent versions while softening crude episodes for a child audience.

About the Author

Joseph Jacobs

Joseph Jacobs was an influential English folklorist and writer, best known for his collections of fairy tales. His notable work, "English Fairy Tales," published in 1890, played a significant role in the preservation and popularization of traditional British folklore. Jacobs was dedicated to collecting and retelling stories that reflected the cultural heritage of England, making them accessible to a wider audience. In addition to fairy tales, he contributed to literature with works like "The Story of Geographical Discovery," which explores the history of exploration and discovery. His efforts have left a lasting impact on the field of folklore studies.