The Golden Book of Fairy Tales

Did not read the stories yet.

Okay, I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the BEST book of fairy tales you will ever find in the English language. Certainly, there are books out there with more tales or more happily-ever-after endings, but this is the best. Period. I received it as a gift when I was a child and I absolutely adored it. The illustrations are truly gorgeous - most have a pseudo-Renaissance appearance to them and ALL have really amazing detail. They are also quite enormous, taking up an entire page and sometimes 2 entire pages! You can tell a real painter, not a typical kids' book animator, created these works of art. The artwork adds an extra element of classical style to these 28 stories, which have been gathered from all around the world. Some of the stories are familiar, some are not, but all have been translated with great care and love; this is immediately evident when you read even the familiar ones like Sleeping Beauty and realize that the details are a little different from the typical sanguine, Disneyfied versions you commonly see. These tales are probably very much like their original versions; in other words, they are not always happy, and sometimes they are actually quite sad. I remember as a child loving the stories yet fearing to read a few of them too because they were so sad. But this very trait is what makes them so dear to me beyond any other versions of the same tales that you might read ...One last word - this is quite an oversized book - 11' X 20' or so. So if you buy it, be sure you have a large enough bookshelf for it, because this is a book you will keep forever! Five stars all the way!

I am so excited to see this book back in print. I bought this book for myself when I was 10 yrs old. My best friend "Ellen" had the book and when I spent the night at her house her mother would read us stories from the Golden Book Of Fairy Tales. Some of my favorite stories are Donkeyskin,Greensnake,and Bluecrest. The pictures are incredible. These are not your average well known fairy tales. I still have my copy and have read it to both my daughters over the years. They are now 17 and 23. My oldest daughter told me about 1 month ago that she saw this book was back in print. I was so happy. I have purchased 5 copies since, and am thrilled. I have taken a copy to work to show my friends and almost everyone has ordered one as it is truely a beautiful and unique book. I have one copy now for each of my daughters,in fact my 17 yr old asked me to read to her again out of it. I hope they will share it with their children and enjoy the stories as much as I did when I was a little girl. Buy this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I own an original print of this book. It was much read and much loved. I even went so far as to have my original book rebound in leather when it was falling apart. I've looked for a second copy for years but just can't afford the $175-$250 price for a vintage copy. I am so pleased to see it is being reprinted and I can buy a new copy in excellent condition. I've ordered this book so I can have a second, less fragile copy and can't wait to get it. The illustrations are stunning and there are many unusual stories not easily found. This book was truly ahead of it's time as it contained stories from many different cultures before that became fashionable. You won't be sorry if you buy this book.

My mother began reading this book to us when we were small, and it was read so much that it literally fell apart. My siblings and I have fought over the pieces for years, so much so, that a few years ago we all received xerox copies for Christmas. Because of the reprinting we all received a new copy for Christmas this year! It contains some of the loveliest illustrations I have ever seen and the stories are so unique! As an Elementary school librarian I have yet to see it's equal in fairy tale books. It is an absolute favorite at our house!

I love this book. The stories are witten in a language of shimmering rainbows which paints elaborate mental masterpieces within the fertile finds of young readers. (I grew up reading this book; my mother still has a copy of the 1952 edition at home, so my opinion is colored by nostalgia.) This is one of the better retelling of the classic fairy stories that I have seen, and I highly recommend it for children of all ages. The illustrations alone are enough to justify the purchase--intricately detailed, haunting depictions.