A short collection of various fairytales from Europe and Asia. Some of them well known for an European audience (and possibly for audiences in North America too), like Bluebeard and The Six Swans, and others I've never heard if before, which made the tales fun to read.

The red thread collecting the tales in this collection seem to be about young men and women that dare to go against the stream, to be compassionate, kind yet still brave - a good lesson for young children. Very pedagogical in the way the tales are presented especially with Funke's comments at the end of each story.

The illustrations and the cover are extremely beautiful, fitting for a collection of fairytales!

3.5

This was a nice short collection of fairy tales from around the world. They were told in a very simple and accessible way so younger children can understand them but the introduction and short explanation by Cornelia after each story would keep an adult interested.

I found the first few the weaker of the collection but the last few were by far the best. I think the strongest stories and my personal favourites were:

Bluebeard: I love the more gruesome fairy tales and Bluebeard is one of my favourites. This one might not be that appropriate for young children (unless they are weird like me). The mysterious room you're not allowed into, who could resist having a peek?

The Six Swans: This one is also a old favourite of mine (again a little gruesome in places) ever since I watched a version of it in The Storyteller series when I was young. Instead of six swans it has three ravens (which I kind of prefer but I'm biased). The girl who stays silent to free her brothers even when she desperately needs to speak shows how strong and brave women can be for the ones they love (though I'd like to see a similar story with a guy having to do the same).

The One Who Set Out to Study Fear: Another old favourite that I watched as a child on The Storyteller. This is by far the most different to the version I watched but I still really enjoyed it. I loved how oblivious the main character was to the danger he was in.

The Frog Princess: For once it's the guy being forced to marry someone undesirable to them and being told to stop crying while the woman sorts things out. 

The One-Handed Murderer: It's pretty obvious why I liked this one. Kind of reminded me of the Robber Bridegroom which is another favourite gruesome one of mine. The female character in this proves to be the hero.

The Girl Who Gave a Knight a Kiss Out of Necessity: I love stories that has the women getting one up on the guys!

Overall a enjoyable collection. I really liked that they weren't just Grimm's tales and there were a few I hadn't read before from different countries.

Wonderfuly peaceful with fantastic cover art! Each story was written to perfection and I found it a joy to read.

Tales all around the World compiled and brought together by a fellow tales lover. The tales make the child in you to listen to the stories narrated by your Granny once again. These tales are handpicked as the collection by the author.

Each tale is different from the other. There’s Fantasy, Mythology, Magic, Witchcraft, Mythical creatures, Prince, and Princess in the tales. The tales unfold the Nation they originated. The author’s opinions at the end of each tale are pretty impressive.

This wonderful selection of 13 tales includes:

*  The Boy Who Drew Cats (Japan)
*  Kotura, Lord of the Winds (Siberia)
*  Through the Water Curtain (Japan)
*  The Areca Tree (Vietnam)
*  The Maid of the Copper Mountain (Russia)
*  The Tale of the Firebird (Russia)
*  Bluebeard (France)
*  The Six Swans (Germany)
*  Golden Foot (France)
*  The Story of One Who Set Out to Study Fear (Germany)
*  The Frog Princess (Ukraine)
*  The One-Handed Murderer ( Italy)
*  The Girl Who Gave a Knight a Kiss out of Necessity (Sweden)

The book cover is majestic and brings the tales closer to the reader. Enjoy the classic stories around the world in the book. Recommend the book to all Stories/Tales lovers.

E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Thank you, Publisher!

‘’Fairy tales break all the rules of a good story and yet they find such powerful images for the deepest human emotions and fears that we sense deep layers of meaning in a poisonous apple or the grueling setting of a gingerbread house, and more truth than a thousand words would grant.’’ 

The beautiful front cover invites us on a journey through tales from all over the world that narrate the stories of fierce heroines who grasp their destiny be being clever, resilient and true to themselves. Following a beautiful introduction by Cornelia Funke, we travel from Russia to Vietnam and from Germany to Japan where we meet clever girls who are loyal to their principles, brave young men who aren’t afraid to follow their instinct, cunning helpers, strange creatures and evil characters who set impossible tasks to the youth. Each tale amply demonstrates why we love fairy tales, why the stories of old are vital to understand our modern world and become better human beings.

The Boy Who Drew Cats : A boy turns his vocation into a true gift and saves a temple. A beautiful tale from Japan.

Kotura, Lord of the Winds : A well-known Siberian tale about the Lord of the Winds and the girl who became his wife. I first read this story when I was eight or nine in an issue of the beloved Classics Illustrated and I remember I was so impressed with the bravery and kindness of the heroine. Reading it again brought me back to my childhood, a time filled with fairytales and magic.

Through the Water Curtain : A tale of a young man who was once a monk and destined to become a sacrifice. A strange story from Japan.

The Areca Tree : A Vietnamese tale about twin brothers and a brave young woman who loved them both.

The Maid of the Copper Mountain : A tale from the mineworkers in the Urals that narrates the adventures of Stepan and the beautiful woman of the Copper Mountain.

The Tale of the Firebird : Who doesn’t know this beloved tale from Russia? Who hasn’t admired the immortal Nureyev hypnotizing the audience in the ballet version by Igor Stravinsky? Ivan Tsarevitch has to fulfill Herculean tasks to capture the Firebird. Baba Yaga, Koschei the Immortal, the horse with the Golden Mane, the vast wealth of Russian tradition.

Bluebeard : The well-known, sinister French tale of a strange man, seven unfortunate women and the young wife who is in danger. I rather liked the writer’s connection between Bluebeard and Gilles de Rais, one of the most notorious (...and most fascinating, I would add…) noblemen. My grandmother told me this story when I was nine. I mean, talk about weird families....

The Six Swans : The classic German tale of Eliza and the six swans by the Brothers Grimm in a haunting rendition. 

Golden Foot : A bloody tale from France with definite pagan undertones.

The Story of the One Who Set Out to Study Fear : A young man goes on a quest to discover fear. This one was boring, irrelevant to the overall theme of the collection and, frankly, badly written.

The Frog Princess : I had previously read this Ukrainian tale but the protagonist was a Mouse princess. In this version, three brothers shot arrows to find wives. The youngest prince is obliged to marry a frog and all sorts of strange things start happening.

The One-Handed Murderer : An Italian tale of a young woman who fights a dangerous man.

The Girl Who Gave a Knight a Kiss Out of Necessity : A Swedish tale of women teaching a lesson to those who think themselves superior.

I was intrigued by this collection. I loved the writer’s voice at the end of each story, explaining the origins and the inspiration behind each tale, paying homage to the cultures that created them. However, there were two issues that troubled me. Two subjective issues, mind you, but I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t include them in my review. First of all, what is this narcissistic obsession with the writer’s novels? I was tired of reading how this tale or that influenced her Reckless series (?). I am not interested in your YA works, dear writer. On the unlikely occasion that I get a brain transplant that will change my personality completely, I will read your novels. I don’t care about your self- congratulatory putting on the shoulder.

In addition, I was almost insulted by Funke’s vicious remarks on Christianity Vs paganism. It goes without saying that you may support your new-age convictions to your heart’s content- because you’re trying to be fashionable- but offending the readers who actually believe is hardly civilized. I don’t like being preached in favour of one thing is another and I don’t respect those who don’t respect me. If Funke doesn’t respect worldwide beliefs, I don’t respect her atheism. I’m sorry but respect goes both ways. 

I suppose, nay, I am certain that these observations are merely my personal gripes but I’ve learned to stick to my principles. Isn’t this what fairytales are about, after all? This collection is a satisfactory read for those of us who love fairytales and folklore. If only the writer were as wise and down-to-earth as the heroines of these tales…

Many thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalleyfor the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Okay, I really liked this book because a lot of the stories were from different places around the world, rather than just Europe. I liked how the author used certain versions of tales that were well known too- like the girl who had her brothers turn into swans, it was different in here, and it made it more enjoyable. I also liked that there was commentary on each story after it was told. Cool illustrations also.

I love Cornelia Funke's books. I'm glad she put this fairy tale collection together. I am familiar with the stories contained in it, I even have some of the stories in individual books. But I love having the collection on hand of all of them! I would think 3rd grade up will enjoy these tales.