Brothers Grimm in Order of Publication
Hansel and Grettel
A scary story that plays on a child’s fear of being abandoned by parents, and getting lost in the woods. But children love the way that the young heroes outwit the wicked witch and triumph over evil.
The Cat and the Mouse in Partnership
If you have ever been tempted to be greedy, you will have just a little sympathy with the cunning cat of this story, even though she is certainly bad. Every time she thinks about being naughty, she persuades herself with a little excuse that rings true to life.
Snow White
The tale of Snow White features one of the most fabulous baddies of all time in the form of the Wicked Queen, vainly peering into her mirror and asking – Who is the fairest of us all? Her motivations of vanity and envy are so very human, and that is what gives the tale its power.
The Golden Fish
A poor fisherman pulls a golden fish out of the sea. When it speaks, he throws it back. His wife is furious, and demands that the magic fish grant them a wish, and then another wish, and then another wish. A story of greed and over-reaching ambition.
Rumpelstiltskin
Rumpelstiltskin, magical, wild, and full of rage, comes to the aid of a young girl who is given the impossible task of weaving straw into gold. She makes him a rash promise, which she finds hard to keep.
The Frog Prince
A beautiful princess loses her ball down the well. A frog offers to fetch it for her, if only she promise that he can be her friend. The princess tries to break her promise, but the frog persists.
The Town Musicians of Breman
This amusing story by the Brothers Grimm is about four farm animals who believe they can earn a good living as musicians. But it isn’t really by the sweetness of their barking, braying, mewing, and cockle-doodle-doing that gets their supper.
Rapunzel
Quite a few of the classic fairy tale themes: the maiden in the tower, the baby taken at birth by a wicked witch, an enchanted but forbidden garden – and the iconic image of a maiden lowering her long tresses of golden hair down to her prince.
The Six Swans
A princess comes to the rescue of her brothers who have been turned into six swans. She has to contend with not only a wicked step-mother, but a wicked mother-in-law too.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
A shoemaker was terribly poor and had just enough money to buy leather for one pair of shoes. A Christmas story with elves – guaranteed to delight children.
The Brothers Grimm collected folk stories from German households in the 19th C. Some of their tales have dark under-currents of psychology, others are romantic and amusing.