New Tales for Old : Folktales As Literary Fictions for Young Adults

The timeless themes and versatility of folk tales have helped them survive and flourish over centuries, taking on myriad forms-short story, picture book, film, poem, and novel. This book gathers together a number of popular folktale reworkings (not just simple retellings) in a variety of genres that appeal to young adults. After discussing the nature of folktales, their cultural context, and the characteristics that make them attractive to young adults, de Vos and Altmann interpret specific tales (e.g., The Frog Prince, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin), describing their many reworkings and offering suggestions for using the material with young adults. Focusing on reworkings of tales from the European oral folk tradition, this book shows educators how to use these tales effectively in the high school and middle school curriculum. The first chapter of the book, "Folktales and Literary Fictions" looks at the nature of folktales, their place in contemporary North American culture, and the characteristics of these tales that make them appealing to adolescent readers. The following chapters each focus on a particular tale--"Cinderella,""The Frog King or Iron Henry,""Hansel and Gretel,""Little Red Riding Hood,""Rapunzel,""Rumpelstiltskin,""Sleeping Beauty," and "Snow White")--giving the tale type and its motifs, a synopsis of the tale, an overview of critical interpretations of the tale, and a summary and discussion of each reworking. Suggestions for teachers and librarians working with young adults come at the end of each chapter. (Each chapter contains references. Includes author/illustrator, motif, tale, and title indexes.) (RS) Explains how eight traditional European folktales can be altered in ways to reach teenagers, demonstrating how each story addresses such issues as leaving home, finding oneself, and discovering adult sexuality