Our youth winter reading program, “Reading is COOL!,” is underway throughout the Sweetwater County Library System. Kids of all ages are invited to sign up. For every 20 minutes a someone reads or is read to they can fill in a “snowball” on their reading log. When half of the circles are finished on the log sheet, bring it in to receive a prize. Another prize is awarded when the sheet is full. If it’s done before Jan. 31, pick up another log.
And grownups, don’t feel left out. The adult winter reading program, “Reading is a HOOT!,” begins Jan. 5. There are 54 days until the last log needs to be turned in Feb. 28.
So, all you readers of any age, here’s an idea that has been rolling around in my head, found on my Kindle and tablet, and off the shelves from our libraries: What’s new is old again.
Remember the cautionary tales of childhood? Not Mr. Peabody’s Fractured Fairy Tales, although you can check out the DVDs. Countless stories have been around for ages. The Brothers Grimm penned and published probably the most inclusive. Perrault’s 1697 “Histories or Tales of Times Past” preceded them. That the stories never have been standardized is obvious in the many forms they have taken. Every culture throughout the world has its own version of Cinderella and several other characters. Of course, these narratives carry names that go with that culture. China has Ye Xian, India’s goes by Cinduri, and Gi-da-no-neh is the Iroquois version. A Montessori webpage lists 365 Cinderella archetypes.
Fairy tales currently are making quite a resurgence. Movies, on DVD and under production, range from exceeding the darkness of Grimm’s vision to delightfully enlightening Disney genres. Books, as always, pave the way. Contemporary writers are filling this need from “the bewares” to the whimsical.
On the shelves at 398.2, there are an abundance of tellings. In the non-fiction stacks of the juvenile section, wondrous illustrations by such detailed-oriented talents as Jan Brett are ready for exploration. While sharing the words with pre-readers, the little ones might enjoy examining the pictures, discovering the item or two that finds its way to each page, much like the spider and mouse in Mercer Mayer’s “Little Critter” books.
Retold tales are also a delight for pre- and new readers. Adults are actually the ones who benefit the most knowing the original and spotting the quirks that tweak the retelling. Picture books such as “Falling for Rapunzel” by Leah Wilcox and “Princess Smartypants” by Babette Cole are a couple of favorites. Ask the librarians for more suggestions or simply browse and be surprised.
From the card catalog on our website I found “Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers & Eaters” that not only has artistic illustrations and traditional tellings but also try-me recipes and side boxes filled with facts about tales, tellers, and traditions. Located at J 641.5, it’s by Yolen, Stemple, and Beha.
Chapter books include such gifted writers as Gail Carson Levine who’s given us, among others, “Ella Enchanted,” and Shannon Hale with her “Goose Girl” novels that get darker as the stories progress. Just arrived is “Fairy Tale Christmas” by Michael and Scott McLean. It’s on my list to read.
Moving into the young adult area are Chanda Hahn’s “UnEnchanted” series and “The Selection” series by Kiera Cass. Marissa Meyer has futurized with “Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter” that will be out this winter. Meyer listed favorite retellings including Levine’s.
“It’s such a fun and romantic book,” she said, “and gives a really clever twist to the Cinderella story.” She also enjoyed “Entwined” by Heather Dixon and “Enchanted” by Alethea Kontis.
Meyer mentions more adult reads.
“On a darker note, I think Gregory Maguire did an amazing job with both “Mirror Mirror” (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister” (Cinderella again), and I really loved the modern-day Little Red Riding Hood twist in Jackson Pearce’s ‘Sisters Red,’” Meyer said.
“Enchantment” by Orson Scott Card blends traditional and present-day settings in his “Sleeping Beauty” rendition. He retains the supernatural circumstances then goes on to explore the conundrums of being a princess of the past waking up in Russia today.
An intriguing title that ran across the desk the other day was “Cinders to Satin” by Fern Michaels. This confirms the notion that fairy tales can be found in many genres.
The moral of this story is: join, read, reap, and enjoy the winter wonderfulness of your library.
Check it out.
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