Many of today’s books are based on traditional tales. They often have some good lessons but written in the language of today for differences in how language has changed over centuries. Furthermore, the stories tend to be more gentle and less scary than the traditional tales.
The Gruffalo is based the traditional tale The Fox that Borrows the Terror of a Tiger.
A Squash and a Squeeze is based on one of Aesop’s fables and stars an old lady grumbling about how small her house is. A Squash and a Squeeze is based on one of Aesop’s fables and stars and old lady grumbling about how small her house is. Once she experiences the house full of animals (upon the advice of an old man), she decides a small house is okay after all.
Farting Four-Toed Troll is based on the Norwegian troll who feeds the animals every Christmas. There is also reference to Goldilocks and the Three Bears when the troll peeks in the window to find bowls of porridge on the table as well as the reference to the one bowl crashing to the floor.
Do Not Snuggle with a Puggle has the theme of stranger-danger. However, it is much less scary than Little Red Riding Hood, the traditional fairy tale upon which it is referenced.
We would love to know if you are aware of any children’s storybooks based on the old fairy tales.