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Storytime blog: A world of magic awaits If you had to change your view of fairy tales, could you do it? By Kristen SchottPublished: February, 2010

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If you and your kiddies are like me, then they love fairy tales. "Cinderella," "Snow White" and "Little Red Riding Hood" are among the wonderful stories that I grew up reading (and watching, thank you, Disney), and they will always have a special place in my heart. I'm sure your children feel the same. But, I recently enrolled in a Cultural Theory and Fairy Tales class to fulfill my master's in English requirement, and I'm afraid the view I've held for so long of these tales may change. "I once had a student tell me that I destroyed fairy tales for her – forever," quipped my professor. WHAT? Destroy the fairy tales that I love? Tell me things I may not like about these stories that so many modern books and movies are based on? These innocent, simple stories are woven into the fabric of our culture: Starting early in life, we're fed them, and it continues as we age. Now, I'm aware that the "Disney" version of the tales cleans them up a bit – but what am I about to learn that will destroy them? For one of my first assignments, I have to answer a few questions about fairy tales, and I'm sure I'll have something very different to say by May. I want to highlight a few of these questions for you: 1. What exactly is a fairy tale? 2. What was/is your favorite fairy tale, and why was/is it your favorite? After pondering these questions, I have these answers – and I think it's because of my adoration of these stories as a child: 1. A fairy tale is exactly what it sounds like. It is something magical, where dreams come true and the characters live in a world where no harm ultimately comes to them. It's a place completely unlike our current culture, where the princess ALWAYS finds her prince. Fairy tales are, in essence, much like children's books, because they create a world of innocence, happiness and harmony. They are meant to remove us from the world in which we live and give us a form of escape, whether you are 8 or 18 or 88. 2. My favorite fairy tale is "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Why? The answer is plain and simple: She had short brownish black hair like me, so I felt I could relate to her. (I may change my answer between now and my next class meeting so I don't sound so superficial.) So, those questions were for me, but I want you to think about them with your kiddies. What do fairy tales mean to them? What's their favorite? Why? And here's another: If you had to rethink how you approach fairy tales, could you do it? If you're so moved, send me your answers. I'd love to hear. For now, I'll be going back to class ... afraid that the innocent world of fairy tales I know and love may disappear forever. kschott@churmmedia.com   Kristen Schott is OC Family's children's book editor. Be sure to check out "Storytime," my video book reviews, for more fun facts about stories you and your kiddies must read. Hearts and hugs? 'Rita and Whatsit' Colds and books More 'Twilight'? 'Princess and the Frog'  Where do you read?  Are they really 'Indestructible'? Book journals 'Weezer Changes the World' 'All Kinds of Families'

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