Once Upon A Time.........

There just seems to be something about those four little words that settles me down, and gets me ready for a good story.

I've always been the person that loved fairy tales (just ask my mom). I can't even begin to count the times my mom read Cinderella to me when I was younger. (It WASN'T the Disney version either.)
When I got older it was Beauty and the Beast. Thanks to the tv series staring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Ok, so the story is FAR from the Disney version, especially since the tv series ran 1987-1990, and the Disney version didn't come out till after the series.. The show was a modern day story about a district attorney (Hamilton) that is attacked and left for dead in Central Park. Vincent (Perlman) finds her bleeding and left for dead, and takes her to his home under the city, where a community of people live in peace and perfect harmony with each other. A Utopia of sorts. She decides to put away her selfish spoiled little girl attitude and help others. The thing I liked about the tv version is Vincent never turns into the handsome prince, he is just accepted for who he is, not what he COULD be.

Sorry I completely got sidetracked.. Anyway. I recently found my "Complete Works of Brother's Grimm." Talk about stories not meant for children. I think these brothers in today's society would've been forced to get help due to their issues with stepmothers, blood and gore. Not to mention the parents being checked out for abuse. LOL.
Yes, I do like the Disney movies, but they are so good at toning it down for the kids. Just look at "The Little Mermaid" Even "Cinderella" wasn't told correctly. But I still like them all. And Little Red Riding Hood?? No one saves her and the wolf gets her in the original story. I prefer reading the originals, but it doesn't stop me from reading or watching the toned down versions.

Anyway, I was browsing on Amazon and came across a set of books of fairy tales from other countries. The five book set includes famous,Original fairy tales from Ireland, China, Japan, Russia, and India. I even saw a book about Norwegian fairy tales, African fairy tales, and North American Indian legends. Those will definitely be my next buys.
If I could get all these books, I would be living "Happily ever after". ;)