Monday, January 11, 2016

A Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales Vintage Book Review

A Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales Vintage Book Review
Adapted by Helen Hyman, A Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales and A Second Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales are both beautiful hardcover books filled with some of the best fairy tales. Both the text and the pictures were created by three brothers and their publishing company in Italy under the name of Fratelli Fabbri Editori.

The stories are closer to the original story lines than they are the Disney versions. If you want to expose your children to fairy tales that are not defined by Disney, these books are worth considering.

Possibly more important to some individuals than the actual stories in this case are the detailed pictures. The images were so important to people who grew up with them that these books defined the way those fairy tales look in their minds. One reviewer says that for her they defined exactly what fairy tale princes, princesses, dwarves, ogres, and even some animals looked like.  Another says that the pictures in the book are more like paintings than they are pen-and-ink cartoons. 

Both of these treasuries are suitable for both girls and boys. They are not just princess stories but also include stories where the young male character is the hero.

Published in the 1970s and held dear by many adults who owned them when they were young, these treasuries are now out of print and in demand as people search for copies to share with their own families and with which to replace worn out volumes that they own. Unfortunately, the fact that they are vintage and out-of-print makes them slightly more expensive than the average new, modern fairy tale book.

A Second Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales Vintage Book ReviewThe following fairy tales are included in the first volume of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales treasury:
  • The Ugly Duckling
  • Puss-in-Boots
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • The Wild Swans
  • Seven in One Blow
  • Snow White and Rose Red
  • The Frog Prince
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • Rapunzel
  • Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
  • The Three Dwarfs in the Wood
  • Prince Kamar and Princess Budur
  • Hans in Luck
  • The Three Musicians
The stories included in the second book, A Second Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales, are:
  • Cinderella
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
  • Sleeping Beauty
  • Little Red Riding hood
  • The Lion and the Carpenter
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • The Seven Ravens
  • The Little Goldfish
  • The Little Tin Soldier
  • The Emperor's Nightingale
  • Thumbelina
  • The Three Hairs of the Ogre
  • The Pied Piper

A Few Closing Thoughts from Readers


One fond reader says that the stories in these books are full of food for you and your child's imagination and that the words will stretch it farther. Another reader says that this was one of two things that he really loved when he was growing up. 

The Poisoned Martini says these books "have got to be the best illustrated collection of fairy tales." 

If you are searching for a copy of one or both of these books, you will find both of them on eBay by clicking right here.

Do you have a children's book that you remember fondly? Perhaps one that defined forever how a character looks in your mind?

Happy Reading!
Brenda


Quick Links:

New, used and vintage children's books in my eBay store.
The Pink Dress by Anne Alexander.
Controversial Anne of Green Gables book cover.



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


10 comments:

  1. These are really fabulous books! With so any generations who have grown up with the Disney versions, they may well be surprised by the authors original tales (or a closer adaptation to the original). This is an excellent review and for some, it will serve as a real eye-opener. They may not even realize the liberties taken by Disney. I've never personally been crazy about the idea of any large company coming in and rewriting a book with their own slant to the story or changing the names ever so slightly so they can claim it as new. I may not like the original work as well, but I do believe an authors work should remain as originally written.

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  2. I have the first one of these great fairy tale books! Nice review of some wonderful books!

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  3. Thanks for your visits & comments ladies. They are nice books. Especially nice to share a book with your children that you have fond memories of.

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  4. This would make a terrific gift, and a wonderful keepsake to pass down in the family

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  5. I don't think I've seen this version, but the first version I saw of Cinderella was a picture book I received in the 1940's, and Disney's version is nothing like it. I will always think of those pictures as defining the story.

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  6. Wonderful to know that these original fairy tales are still available in print, although becoming increasingly rare. Lovely review, which brings back some childhood memories!

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  7. I think every home containing children also should contain a fairy tale anthology book. From experience, I'd suggest reading the stories to yourself before you read them out loud so you'll know what to expect. As has been mentioned, sometimes the stories are surprising and not necessarily meant for the youngest ears. (It's been years since I've had or read a fairy tale book, but that's how I remember it. Maybe it's my own ears that were sensitive.) I've always loved the outstanding artwork in books like this and, in fact, we may have owned one or two of these titles (curse you, house fire!). So glad that they still can be found. Great review, Brenda!

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  8. I think every home containing children also should contain a fairy tale anthology book. From experience, I'd suggest reading the stories to yourself before you read them out loud so you'll know what to expect. As has been mentioned, sometimes the stories are surprising and not necessarily meant for the youngest ears. (It's been years since I've had or read a fairy tale book, but that's how I remember it. Maybe it's my own ears that were sensitive.) I've always loved the outstanding artwork in books like this and, in fact, we may have owned one or two of these titles (curse you, house fire!). So glad that they still can be found. Great review, Brenda!

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  9. Happy “Tell a Fairy Tale Day” (February 26th) to you and everyone who loves Fairy Tales! Congrats on having this interesting article featured on 92.9 The Lake radio station today.

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  10. Love the books and still have copies from my childhood. Each volume I have contains an extra story. "The Enchanted Princess" in one and "Goose Girl" in the other. I have been searching for a second set with those stories included but not having much luck. I've noticed that most for sale only contain 14 stories instead of the 15 like in each of my books. The library of Congress book catalogue numbers are the same as the 14 story editions and publishing date/info is same too. Wish I knew why mine are different. Will keep searching...

    ReplyDelete

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