A Children’s Guide to Folklore and Wonder Tales

Overview

In The Children’s Guide to Folklore and Wonder Tales, Dr. Hannah Blevins Harvey unpacks more than 60 of our most beloved stories, fables, fairy tales, and songs from around the world – providing you with a fascinating, in-depth view into the history, context, and deeper meaning of the tales we know and love. As you travel through the catalogs of Grimm, Aesop, Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Perrault, Oscar Wilde, and so many more, you’ll gain profound insights into how and why these stories came to be. Supplementing the stories and insights provided by Dr. Harvey, child psychiatrist Dr. Zheala Qayyum, from Yale University’s Medical School and Department of Psychiatry, weighs in on the importance of stories and imagination-building exercises in the healthy development of children, no matter where they live.

Throughout this unique course, Dr. Harvey presents not only the exploration of themes, questions, and evolutions but, as a nationally-known professional storyteller and an internationally-commended performer, she also treats you to dynamic, theatrical, and engaging tellings of cherished tales from around the world, both beloved classics and lesser-known treasures. Join us to discover a collection of stories that will lift your heart, haunt your dreams, and challenge your expectations.

Video Lessons

1. “Sleeping Beauty”: Once Upon a Time
   Explore the world of folktales and hear the 1697 Perrault version of “Sleeping Beauty.”
   Duration: 33 min
2. “Beauty and the Beast” I: The Sleeping Prince
   Discover the Norse tale “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” exploring transformation.
   Duration: 29 min
3. “Beauty and the Beast” II: Being Brave
   Dive deeper into transformation stories with a classic version of “Beauty and the Beast.”
   Duration: 35 min
4. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”: Transformations
   Learn about various interpretations of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” across cultures.
   Duration: 29 min
5. “Cinderella” I: If the Shoe Fits
   Examine the Italian tale “The Cat Cinderella” and the French version by Perrault.
   Duration: 35 min
6. “Cinderella” II: Baba Yaga and Goddesses
   Explore the Russian character Baba Yaga and the ambiguity in folklore characters.
   Duration: 35 min
7. “Cinderella” III: The Mooing Godmother
   Discover one of the oldest Cinderella tales with themes of connection and family.
   Duration: 27 min
8. “The Brave Little Tailor”: Giants!
   Hear tales of giants and overcoming odds through adaptations of classic stories.
   Duration: 30 min
9. “Jack and the Beanstalk”: Archetypes
   Learn about the Tree of Life and its significance in various cultural stories.
   Duration: 33 min
10. “Hansel and Gretel”: Ogres
    Delve into the themes of triumph and besting evil powers in different adaptations.
    Duration: 31 min
11. “Rumplestiltzkin”: Naming Our Fears
    Explore the power of naming through several stories from around the world.
    Duration: 33 min
12. Tom Thumb and Thumbelina: Little Heroes
    Contrast oral folklore with literary tales and the joy of reading aloud.
    Duration: 30 min
13. “Emperor’s New Clothes”: Looks Can Deceive
    Discuss the themes of deception in tales by Hans Christian Andersen and Oscar Wilde.
    Duration: 31 min
14. “Town Musicians of Bremen”: Unwanted Animals
    Learn about representations of animals in folklore and cultural interpretations.
    Duration: 30 min
15. “Puss in Boots” and “The Frog Prince”: Fitting In
    Explore the influence of “Puss in Boots” in global folklore traditions.
    Duration: 30 min
16. “Three Little Pigs”: Third Time’s a Charm
    Analyze the significance of the number three in folktales and related stories.
    Duration: 34 min
17. “The Little Red Hen”: Formula Tales
    Discover the structure of formula tales and their ease of retelling.
    Duration: 30 min
18. “How the Camel Got His Hump”: Pourquoi Tales
    Explore ancient myths and creation stories that explain why things are as they are.
    Duration: 26 min
19. Lions and Tigers and Bears: Fables
    Discover Aesop’s fables and the morals embedded within these timeless tales.
    Duration: 31 min
20. “Snow White”: Beauty and Handsomeness
    Analyze the role of beauty in folktales and its implications on gender roles.
    Duration: 31 min
21. “Rapunzel”: Maiden/Mother/Crone
    Examine femininity and the triadic character roles within folktales.
    Duration: 30 min
22. King Arthur and Winnie the Pooh: Heroic Quests
    Compare male hero motifs through Dr. Harvey’s storytelling of legendary figures.
    Duration: 32 min
23. American Tall Tales and Folk Songs
    Explore how American tall tales reflect their cultural ideals and historical themes.
    Duration: 31 min
24. Happily Ever After: How Our Stories End
    Review storytelling fundamentals and common themes in folktales.
    Duration: 37 min