Fairy Tales & Folk Tales:Literature and Culture

Reading: If the World Were a VillageBy David J. Smith

There are over 200 billion people in the world today – Do you believe this statement is true or false?

This is TRUE!

Begin thinking about:

Book ChoicesPick 3!

If the World Were a Village by David J. Smith

The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story by Rebecca Hickox

The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo

The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo

The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo

The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo

Cendrillon by Robert D. San Souci

Little Gold Star: A Spanish American Cinderella Tale by Robert D. San Souci

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

You can also read online fairytales

When you discuss fairy tales, look at

Characterso Qualitieso Descriptiono Similaritieso Differenceso Valueso Expectations

Settingo Descriptiono Social classo Purpose

Backgroundo Countryo Cultureo Economy

Key Events

Ending

Read&

Discuss!

How to Compare Books

Stepmother

Love prevails

Mother died

Use informational books and websites to learn about countries and cultures

Use search engines to find informationor the books located in the classroom

Compare by…Cultural traditions Cultural

expectations

Character qualities

Setting

Family

Descriptors

Brainstorm!

What are some possible reasons for these differences?

What are fairy tales and folk tales, anyway?

Fairy TalesIncludes “make-believe” features

Usually, there are clear “good guys” and “bad guys”

Magic is involved

There is always a problem that needs to be solved

Teaches a lessonor

Demonstrates values of a culture

Typically includes some transformation

Sub-genre of folktales

Examples of Fairytales

• Cinderella• Beauty and the Beast• The Princess and the Pea• The Emperor’s New Clothes• The Frog Prince• Sleeping Beauty• Rapunzel

Folk Tales

About common people or things

Uses repetition

Story begins quickly

Uncomplicated characters

Fast-moving plots

Clear ending

Comes from oral tradition

Usually, unknown author

Examples of Folk Tales

• Little Red Riding Hood

• Goldilocks

• Hansel and Gretel

• The Three Little Pigs

CultureFood Dress Music

Language Celebrations Religion

How does culture influence writing?

Think about

it!

o Religiono Locationo Ageo Social classo Family traditionso Cultural expectationso Educationo Language

Fairy tales and folk tales have been passed down through generations. When they are passed down, so is the culture. By reading different versions of “Cinderella”, you should be able to see these differences.

Informational Websites

o http://www.infoplease.com/countries.html

o http://www.countryreports.org/

o http://www.kidinfo.com/geography/the_world.html

o http://www.factmonster.com/countries.html

Cinderella SourcesThe Cinderella Project

Compare Cinderella versions

Cinderella Around the World

Cinderella World

Cinderella Page

Research Techniques1. Make sure website is credible

• Wikis and blogs are not dependable sources• If you have a question about a website that is not listed, ask!

2. Choose search topics and keywords that are specific

3. Record website links that are used

4. Take notes