Week 1 – Once upon a time… For this first week of the summer reading program, we’re focusing on fairy tales, folktales, and mythology. Here is a great list of collections from around the world.

Books for Adults DB 81713 Troll’s-Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales by Ellen Datlow Annotation: Award-winning editors Datlow and Windling collect stories that retell classic tales, such as "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Rumpelstiltskin," from the perspective of the villain. Authors include Garth Nix, Jane Yolen, and Nancy Farmer, among others.

DB 90683 The Annotated African American Folktales by Henry Louis Gates Annotation: A collection of over a hundred stories, essays, folktales, myths, and legends from African American history. Includes well-known classics, such as Brer Rabbit and Anansi, as well as lesser-known traditions. Includes information about how these tales were sometimes hijacked or misappropriated and contains numerous annotations and illustrations. Some strong language. 2018.

DB 78790 The Gods of Olympus: A History by Barbara Graziosi Annotation: Traces the diffusion of the Olympian deities across the globe and the evolution of Greek mythology in the distinct personalities and conflicts of twelve gods and goddesses. 2014.

DB 80914 The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm by Wilhelm Grimm Annotation: All of the Grimms' 156 stories from the 1812 and 1815 editions have been collected together. This 2014 translation by fairy-tale scholar Jack Zipes attempts to retain the spare descriptions and storytelling style of the originals, reflecting the stories' roots in oral tradition.

DB 85634 Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction by Geraldine Pinch Annotation: Egyptologist analyzes the myths that expressed the core values of the Nile River kingdom for three thousand years. Discusses the gods and goddesses of Egypt's religious narratives; the legendary exploits of its rulers, including the pharaoh Tutankhamun; and the meaning of symbols such as the sacred eye.

DB 83050 The Celtic Twilight: Faerie and Folklore by W.B. Yeats Annotation: Consists of stories recounted to the poet by his friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. All of the stories focus on the mythic and magical roots of Irish folklore, venturing into the world of fairies, ghosts, and spirits. Includes commentary based on Yeats's own experiences.

DB 63185 The Oxford Book of Modern Fairy Tales by Alison Lurie Annotation: Anthology of stories about magic and transformation--often incorporating traditional folktale elements--written between 1839 and 1989. Includes pieces by authors such as Oscar Wilde, L.F. Baum, E. Nesbit, Joan Aiken, I.B. Singer, Ursula Le Guin, and Jane Yolen. 1993. Some strong language.

DB 25690 Arab Folktales by Inea Bushnaq Annotation: Collection of folktales covers the Arab world from Morocco to Iraq. Divided into categories such as animal tales or adventure tales, the text also provides cultural background useful for interpreting the stories.

DB 42969 Louisa May Alcott’s Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories by Louis May Alcott Annotation: Thirty-nine didactic tales spanning Alcott's entire literary career, including "The Frost King," "Ripple, the Water Spirit," "Little Gulliver," "A Strange Island," "Fairy Pinafores," "The Candy Country," "Cockyloo," and "Mermaids." First collection to include all of Alcott's fairy tales and fantasy stories from 1845-1888.

DB 87395 Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman Annotation: Award-winning fantasy author provides his interpretation of classic Norse mythology and its pantheon. Provides a novelistic arc to the retelling that begins with the genesis of the nine worlds and culminates with the Ragnarok apocalypse. Books for Kids and Teens DB 45078 The Ocean of Story: Fairy Tales from India by Caroline Ness Annotation: Eighteen tales from India's oral tradition of folklore. Some of the stories have themes similar to those of the Brothers Grimm, Aesop, and the Arabian Nights. These include "The Magic Lamp," "Three Fussy Men," and "The Boy and His Stepmother." For grades 4- 7.

DB 49235 The Complete Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Charles Perrault Annotation: Eleven classic fairy tales: "Sleeping Beauty," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Bluebeard," "Puss-in-Boots," "The Fairies," "Cinderella," "Tufty Ricky," "Hop o' My Thumb," "Patient Griselda," "Donkeyskin," and "The Foolish Wishes." An afterword contains notes on Perrault and each story. New translation from French originals of 1697 and earlier. For grades 4-7 and older readers.

DB 11751 Grimms’ Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm Annotation: Fifty-five of the best-loved tales including "Cinderella," "Snow-White," "The Goose Girl," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Rumpelstiltskin." For grades 4-7 and older readers.

DB 24260 Favorite Fairy Tales told around the World by Virginia Haviland Annotation: Selections from the author's previous books that feature several tales from each of sixteen countries. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

DB 53007 A Wolf at the Door: and other Retold Fairy Tales by Ellen Datlow Annotation: A collection of thirteen tales by science fiction and fantasy authors. In "Hansel's Eyes," by Garth Nix, a blind, spiderlike witch captures Hansel and Gretel in a computer game store. Other writers include Jane Yolen, Michael Cadnum, Gregory Maguire, and Patricia A. McKillip. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

DB 49568 Andersen’s Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen Annotation: Twenty-nine stories, including old favorites such as "The Princess and the Pea," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Wild Swans," "The Nightingale," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," and "The Tinder Box." For grades 3-6.