{"id":32980,"date":"2025-05-02T00:01:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T04:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=32980"},"modified":"2025-04-29T07:06:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T11:06:53","slug":"enchanted-tales-exploring-fairy-and-folktales-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2025\/05\/enchanted-tales-exploring-fairy-and-folktales-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Enchanted Tales: Exploring Fairy and Folktales Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each month in <em>Enchanted Tales<\/em>\u2014a storytime series for K\u20132nd graders\u2014I focus on a classic fairy tale or folktale and explore versions of it from around the world. I launched this program at my library in Fall 2024 to encourage cultural literacy, creativity, and joy in storytelling. So far, we\u2019ve explored some of the more \u201cwell-known\u201d tales such as <em>Jack and the Beanstalk<\/em>, <em>Snow White<\/em>, and <em>Rapunzel<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of my recent sessions focused on a tale I thought would be lesser known\u2014<em>Rumpelstiltskin<\/em>. To my surprise, most of the kids were already familiar with it. Thank you, <em>Shrek<\/em>! Still, they were fascinated to discover that this trickster tale exists in many cultures with unique twists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We kicked things off by practicing how to say \u2018Rump-el-stil-skin.\u2019 It\u2019s harder to pronounce than it looks, and the kids had a good laugh trying to get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-version-1\">Version 1:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeIKc1Q4keW2SlLMZCUNRMB8-FcVfFOgPybA6aNvpcIyGUXErsBfVpQwBJ5pYewJKsio-4C7ieqYvT6vwQReNbGoPf2m6rx49YWPeDXK1Q-LhVUuEdPb6NEJw_uaR1edNPBEPqmRnxT3QoVqMkPHb8?key=BLhq5wE3XJbrIy5HPcUxDIeh\" alt=\"A hand holding a book\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first version we shared was the classic German tale\u2014told in a child-friendly adaptation by Mara Alperin. In this version, a young girl is locked in a tower and ordered to spin straw into gold by the king. It\u2019s an impossible task\u2014until a mysterious magical man appears and offers to help, but he demands something in return. The kids had fun guessing what he might want (lots of creative guesses involving candy and gifts).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before diving into our second tale, we played two themed games:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rumpelstiltskin Says <\/strong><br>A twist on <em>Simon Says, <\/em>and a fun way to keep practicing that tricky name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guess the Secret Word<\/strong><br>A charades-style game with &#8220;magical&#8221; words like <em>hat, swim,<\/em> and <em>dance.<\/em> One child acted out the word while others guessed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdknuUIwOXFip1kc0D6b8YmLruLusTL0zLD1ZyN31UL1UQMcAztAUD2JpDK7n8AZciU7pTxlAbtE4GSzuQSccrQsfnZXsKR5WbqLvFFMr95rb724lKWsyQ4nKGxDlzQLCsqgJZlbwkOSCtGYGZPuw?key=BLhq5wE3XJbrIy5HPcUxDIeh\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot of cards for &#8220;Guess the Secret Word&#8221; game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-version-2\">Version 2:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcwjY6ayD6Hga3rSbHE_Q6jzRIp7qsZvCeL_YDQEszxa36iDu4eTyGaTliFrc7pBqYHWBrRntPr9me8dOF-uPyoK5GKXebMIiu78a0SXQoYnXdB60M1gsBTmt1p1mt1ko8iuAatEcmTImqDThCleKE?key=BLhq5wE3XJbrIy5HPcUxDIeh\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our second version of Rumpelstiltskin came from Nigeria: \u201cHow Ijapa the Tortoise Tricked the Hippopotamus\u201d, found in the book<em> Can You Guess My Name?: Traditional Tales Around the World<\/em> by Judy Sierra. In this tale, the trickster character isn\u2019t a magical man\u2014it\u2019s Ijapa, a clever tortoise known in Yoruba folklore for his wit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this story, Ijapa the tortoise is hungry and thirsty, but a big, grumpy hippopotamus is guarding all the food and water. The hippo says no one can have anything unless they know his secret name!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ijapa comes up with a very silly plan\u2014he finds a spot in the path and lies there, perfectly still, pretending to be a rock. When one of the hippo\u2019s wives walks by, she accidentally trips over him and falls on <em>her<\/em> back! She gets stuck with her legs flailing in the air and yells out her husband\u2019s name, begging for help. Ijapa hears everything\u2014and just like that, he learns the secret name he needs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kids thought this part was hilarious\u2014they couldn\u2019t stop laughing at the image of a hippo wife stuck like a turtle and calling for her husband. They were amazed at how similar this tale was to <em>Rumpelstiltskin<\/em>\u2014a tricky name, a clever plan, and a big reward\u2014all told in a completely different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of just reading the book, we brought the story to life with puppets and stuffed animals. The kids acted out the roles of Ijapa and the hippo, using different voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next up: Musical Straw Chairs! I set up chairs with piles of paper \u201cstraw\u201d on top. As music played, the kids walked around the chairs. When the music stopped, they had to sit\u2014if they didn\u2019t find a straw-covered seat in time, they were out. It was silly, energetic fun and tied right back to the spinning-straw-into-gold theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-version-3\">Version 3:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final version of the tale brought us to Sweden with <em>Titeliture<\/em>, also found in <em>Can You Guess My Name?: Traditional Tales from Around the World<\/em> by Judy Sierra. In this Scandinavian variation, the heart of the Rumpelstiltskin story is still there\u2014a girl must spin straw into gold, and a strange little man offers magical help in exchange for a mysterious bargain. But the twist? The girl in this tale isn\u2019t hardworking or clever\u2014she\u2019s actually a bit lazy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a prince passes by and sees her sitting on the roof (yes, the roof!) looking beautiful, her mother lies and tells him her daughter can spin straw into gold up there. If she succeeds, the prince promises to marry her. Of course, the girl has no idea how to do it and starts to cry. That\u2019s when a little man appears with a magical glove and offers to help\u2014but only if she can guess his name, or else she\u2019ll have to marry <em>him<\/em> instead of the prince!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kids loved this version because it turned their expectations upside down. Instead of a kind or brave heroine, the girl wasn\u2019t very likable\u2014but the story still followed the familiar beats. In the end, the prince goes hunting and stumbles across the little man dancing in the woods and singing a funny rhyme that accidentally reveals his name: \u201cTiteliture!\u201d The kids giggled at how easily the magical man gave himself away. We talked about how different this version felt\u2014funny, a little strange, and full of personality\u2014while still connecting to the classic tale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To wrap up the program, we created a \u201cspinning straw into gold\u201d collage. Using brown construction paper scraps for straw and shiny gold die-cut shapes, the kids created their own golden treasures. Some made crowns, others designed coins and jewelry\u2014it was a creative way to connect to the story\u2019s magical imagery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdoHPm6IMrJFf_8IjlFGX_OzUcjE44RpQesv0K8G8hRSiMtpNAC-LUZ_vQZrUM-tG_T7VKeDQjzCUVFPJx8gHTZrEuOXtUAaYs2YRmmkT9TMBOQ9-WvBlSP-Ar9hDivZ4RMxtoz3lYXTg0DuU4O2h4?key=BLhq5wE3XJbrIy5HPcUxDIeh\" alt=\"A blue and gold paper with a pyramid and stars\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot of finished &#8220;Spinning Straw into Gold&#8221; collage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why Global Storytelling Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fairy and folktales are powerful entry points for cultural literacy. When children encounter stories from different parts of the world, they begin to see both the differences and the shared themes that connect us all. Exploring global versions of familiar tales encourages empathy, curiosity, and an appreciation for diverse traditions and storytelling styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tips for Librarians: Starting Your Own <em>Enchanted Tales<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bring Back the Classics<\/strong>: Don\u2019t be afraid to start with well-known stories\u2014kids are often surprised by the twists in international versions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add Movement &amp; Games<\/strong>: Incorporating simple, themed games helps kids engage with the stories in new and active ways.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Make It Hands-On<\/strong>: Crafts or puppets let kids extend the story and express their creativity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Multicultural Story Collections<\/strong>: Books like <em>Can You Guess My Name?<\/em> are great resources for finding global retellings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tell It from the Heart<\/strong><br>Oral storytelling creates a magical connection\u2014no book between you and the audience. Try learning a tale well enough to tell it in your own words.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(All above photos courtesy of Jessica Tarnowski, ALSC member)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXc1A_wT9Jp0gncxdhX18lgdNBTEGKAJgfIgDg0u844JlCsMLkjKTgm268x9spF0mAR9UCIRX7sAo5DMlrxmEn8SAF0sczSHR2oFisz5Q0a2Ph2NGUPqUh7Lzeu6ameMd34djnknCortYLMt7thzgAY?key=BLhq5wE3XJbrIy5HPcUxDIeh\" alt=\"A person smiling at the camera\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Lisa Leonard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today&#8217;s guest contributor is <strong>Jessica Tarnowski<\/strong>. Jessica is a Youth Services Librarian at the Bartlett Public Library District in Bartlett, Illinois. She has a passion for creating imaginative and inclusive programs that spark curiosity and a love of reading. Her interests include fairy tales, storytelling, and finding fun, meaningful ways to connect children with books and the magic of libraries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our <a href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/shrqPPooVdsxNlT5K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guest Blogging Interest Form<\/a>. We would love to hear from you!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each month in Enchanted Tales\u2014a storytime series for K\u20132nd graders\u2014I focus on a classic fairy tale or folktale and explore versions of it from around the world. I launched this program at my library in Fall 2024 to encourage cultural literacy, creativity, and joy in storytelling. So far, we\u2019ve explored some of the more \u201cwell-known\u201d tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, and Rapunzel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1450,134,38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fairy-tales","category-guest-blogger","category-programming-ideas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32980\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}