Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop (Ends 5/1) WW (Closed)

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Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop 

April 26th to May 1st

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & vvb32reads.

As I was growing up, indeed fairy tales were some of my absolute favorite books to read and listen to.  I suppose Disney had a hand in my perception of fairy tales, but I was also one who always sought to know the "real" story rather than the "Disney-fied" version.  I am going to feature some of my favorite fairy tales that Disney destroyed!

Do a search for The Little Mermaid, and all you will probably find is Disney's version unless you dig a little deeper.  We tend to buy what Disney dished out in their movie and musical.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I am not saying that I don't enjoy the film and the music.  But why does it have to have a happy ending?  I think it speaks much more of the little mermaid's love for the prince that she allows him to have the woman he loves.  She gives her life so he can be happy.  Okay, maybe that is not the story that all little girls want to hear as they are growing up, but I think the tragedy of it makes it a better story.  

What about Beauty in the Beast?  It pains me to say that the portions that Disney added truly do detract from the message of the story.  This is my favorite Disney movie, but when they added in the enchanted castle characters (as delightful as they are), the message of the story becomes very muddied.  And the parts they left out about her vain sisters--what happened to that?  Beauty is to be completely unsoiled and unspoiled.  She is willing to go to the Beast when he father says she must.  There is no "get out of jail free" card for her.  Thankfully, she learns to love the Beast, and she does break the spell.  I just wish they would have added some more of the original elements to the story.

Now, Cinderella isn't too bad, I have to say.  There are so many versions, that you really can't fault Disney for what they did.  It's too bad they left out the gruesome portions that I had forgotten but now am reminded.  The stepsisters try to fit their foot in the slipper so much that they cut off pieces of their feet to make them fit! And isn't it poetic justice when the stepmother and stepsisters have their eyes plucked out and eaten by ravenous birds?  Did these things being left out change the story and ruin it?  No, but I have to say that Cinderella often appears too good!  And so meek and mild.  And I never did like the fairy godmother being so bungling.  I never saw that in any of the versions I read.

I could go on and on, but if you really would like to see more, check out this site.  It is awesome!

Now, I honestly am not going around bashing Disney for changing the fairy tales.  They changed Pocahontas, too.  I always liked what they did with Lion King and Bambi because they actually seemed more realistic, but these aren't really fairy tales.  If Disney had not changed the stories to a degree, I can assure you that I would not want to let my daughter watch them.  And after all, who would want to see the queen of Snow White eat the supposed heart of Snow White?  That movie is scary enough as it is.


What is my favorite fairy tale?  You would have to ask, wouldn't you?  The one that seems to stick with me is the original version of Beauty and the Beast.  Maybe that's why it's my favorite Disney film.  I have happy memories of listening to record albums and cassette tapes of read-along stories.  These were basically fairy tales.  And I can remember a version of this tale on tape where I got to read the part of Beauty.  All the other characters were on the tape, and I got to read and play her part.  The first musical I ever tried out for was Beauty Lou and the Country Beast.  I almost made it.  When Disney's version came out, I was enthralled with the music.


I also enjoyed Rumpelstiltskin.  I did a version of this one year with my music students where the Rumpelstiltskin was a rapper.  I always appreciate the cleverness of the girl who became princess.  I also enjoyed The Boy Who Cried Wolf.  One story my dad could tell was that story.  I always understood the moral of the story, and most people don't even know this story.


Okay, enough about all that.  Time for an international giveaway. One of my readers can enter to win one book related to a fairy tale (must meet this criteria) up to $10.  All you will need to do is enter on the rafflecopter form below by 9:00 P.M. Pacific time on May 1.  And don't forget to hop on to the other blogs as well for even more chances!



a Rafflecopter giveaway