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English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 16 ratingsJack the Giant-Killer, Tom Thumb, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Henny Penny, Dick Whittington, The Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood and a host of immortal characters are found in this delightful collection of English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. The book made its first appearance in 1890 and has remained a firm favorite with both young and old ever since.
Fairy tales have traditionally emanated from France and Germany. The famous compilations by La Fontaine and the Brothers Grimm have overshadowed children's literature for centuries. Yet, many of the stories we recount to children today have an English origin, something that we were unaware of.
The author, Joseph Jacobs, was an Australian folklorist and historian who painstakingly compiled them from various sources. In the preface to the first edition he recounts how he collected some stories from the descendants of English immigrants in America and Australia, while he sourced others from English gypsies and old ballads. In many cases he had to rewrite and retell those stories which existed in verse form or in ancient dialects. Older forms of English had to be tailored to suit modern readers, while some of the more objectionable parts had to be discarded. Wicked step-mothers, rampaging giants, damsels in distress, gallant princes and evil spells are some of the staples in this fascinating collection.
The author himself states that it was his intention to create a book in which the stories would sound as if they were being narrated by an old nurse or grandmother. Hence, the style is simple, direct and like he states, meant to be read aloud and not visually. The original edition also included extensive notes on the source from which he collected the stories and reference material which is of great interest to folk-lore enthusiasts. Such was the impact of some of the stories that they are referenced in Shakespeare's plays and provided inspiration for poets like Milton.
The highlight of the book for serious readers is the elaborate footnotes which provide a great deal of information about different variants of these stories that are told in other parts of the world. One of the most attractive features in the book are the charming illustrations that accompany each tale.
The book is a delightful read for both parents and children. Apart from old favorites, there are many new tales which most people would not have encountered like “Nix Nought Nothing” “The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh” or “The Earl of Mar's Daughter.”
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Episodes
02 – The Three Sillies
December 31, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 3.81 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
04 – The Old Woman and Her Pig
December 29, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
05 – How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune
December 28, 2023 00:00 - 4 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
07 – Nix Nought Nothing
December 26, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
08 – Jack Hannaford
December 25, 2023 00:00 - 4 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
10 – Mouse and Mouser
December 23, 2023 00:00 - 2 minutes - 977 KBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
13 – Jack and the Beanstalk
December 20, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 6.68 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
14 – The Story of the Three Little Pigs
December 19, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
15 – The Master and His Pupil
December 18, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
16 – Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse
December 17, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
17 – Jack and His Golden Snuff-Box
December 16, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 8.58 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
18 – The Story of the Three Bears
December 15, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
19 – Jack the Giant-Killer
December 14, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
21 – Childe Rowland
December 12, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
25 – The History of Tom Thumb
December 08, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 4.77 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
29 – Earl Mar’s Daughter
December 04, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
31 – Whittington and His Cat
December 02, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 7.63 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
32 – The Strange Visitor
December 01, 2023 00:00 - 4 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
33 – The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh
November 30, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
34 – The Cat and the Mouse
November 29, 2023 00:00 - 2 minutes - 977 KBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
35 – The Fish and the Ring
November 28, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
36 – The Magpie’s Next
November 27, 2023 00:00 - 3 minutes - 977 KBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
37 – Kate Crackernuts
November 26, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
38 – The Cauld Lad of Hilton
November 25, 2023 00:00 - 2 minutes - 977 KBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
39 – The Ass, the Table, and the Stick
November 24, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
40 – Fairy Ointment
November 23, 2023 00:00 - 4 minutes - 1.91 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
41 – The Well of the World’s End
November 22, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.86 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
42 – Master of All Masters
November 21, 2023 00:00 - 2 minutes - 977 KBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com
43 – The Three Heads of the Well
November 20, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 3.81 MBMore great books at LoyalBooks.com