Fairy tales, not necessarily in their scholarly definition, but allowing for a few other folktales and the occasional legend or myth, are the life's blood of childhood. Fairy tales give us a map for the journey of life, and if parents can see through the time-bound elements of societal values and lessons, they can help children to navigate the treacherous waters of learning to live as a human being with wisdom and courage.

That's a bit of a weighty introduction.  Still with me? Of course you are. Here, then, are five of my favorite fairy tales to share with children who are stepping through the doorway from early childhood dreaminess into the open-eyed world of learning to know things for oneself. These stories are perfect for older five-year-olds right up to middle school, but six and seven might be the ultimate age for enjoyment.

1. Vasilisa the Beautiful. I love Vasilisa so much that I've made her image the header for this website. In this variant of a Cinderella tale, Vasilisa is given a magical doll by her mother, who then dies, leaving her with a blessing and instructions to feed the doll and ask it for whatever help she needs. The doll, and Vasilisa's own courage, resourcefulness, kindness, and industry help the girl to overcome evil stepsisters, outsmart force-of-nature Baba Yaga, and even find a worthy mate. While she is, indeed, beautiful, it is her inner nature that leads her to happiness.
2. Snow White and Rose Red These sisters are inseparable, even as we cannot put aside the various sides of our own nature. A bear (who has a secret!), a rude dwarf, a kind mother, and two rose trees all play a role in this story that has a lovely share of humor as well as magic within it. 
3. Great Joy, the Ox This is not a fairy tale. It's a Buddhist story, from the tradition of Jataka tales, which tell stories of the many incarnations of the Buddha. It's a wonderful story for adults and children alike, and especially nice for sixes and sevens. What happens when you let your fear cause you to treat others unkindly, and how can we help others to regain their own kindness while keeping our self-respect? This incredible ox knows the answer.
4. The Lindorm Warning! This story goes on and on and on and on and on... and it's awesome. Perfect for long car rides, but not great for when there's 5 minutes until bedtime. You think the story of the Lindorm, a terrible wyvern or dragon, is over when he's released from his enchantment, but the adventure is just beginning!
5. Three Golden Hairs There are a number of versions of this story of a child who is destined for greatness, the king who wishes he'd stopped the child, and an old woman who knows how to find the answers to impossible questions. This Czech version is beautifully retold. 

So, there you have it. Five of my favorites. The websites these links take you to are worth exploring -- so many great stories to share with the kids in your life! Read aloud, or learn to tell them yourself in my upcoming Be a Storyteller ecourse! (details coming soon!)

And remember, when you come to something that makes you unsure about telling a particular story, whether it's a turn of phrase that rings false in your ear, or a character who meets an end that seems too harsh, take your time. If it's not the right story for you or for your listener, then just let it go, and find the story that's your Goldilocks moment -- Just Right!

Lately, as I work on my storytelling curriculum (it's proprietary to my client, but I can make you one if you want. :) ), I'm getting questions from the toddler teachers. Everyone knows that preschoolers love stories, but how do we bring storytelling to our smaller friends? Last week and the week before, I scoured the library for storytelling guides, and there is a TON of books available. Books from amazing storytellers and librarians, and books by teachers, and books of stories and books of tips... 

How do you navigate all this information and really settle in with your story and your friends?
Here are three tips I've gleaned from amazing toddler teachers:

1. Tell a story at mealtime. Little ones are already seated. They have something to do with their hands. They may need help to stay at the table, or something to occupy them as the slower eaters finish their meals. Telling a little story here can really make your meal or snack time feel more relaxed and easy. You can start with a simple fairy tale, like "Sweet Porridge" or "The Gingerbread Man," or tell a little nature story about an animal's daily life.  Keep it simple and sweet!
2. Movement and gestures are golden. Telling a story that has repeated phrases, or a little story in rhyme, is perfect for under 3s.  It becomes even better when you add in some simple (there's that word again!) hand gestures and movements. Look online for collections of finger plays and stories, like this one.  
3. Try, try again! Learning to be part of a storytime is a skill, one with a lot of component skills. Toddlers are wiggly and giggly, so keep your story short, and if it's not the right day or time for a story, they'll let you know! Just keep experimenting with what works for your little friends. 

Toddlers love to spend special time with the grownups in their lives, and they thrive on routine, so make storytime part of your daily or weekly rhythm of activities! Have fun, and let your little friends be your guides. 

Still struggling? Want to hear a story I made up in my car? My son wanted to hear a boy and cat story every night. It lasted almost 3 years, the nightly ritual of Boy and Cat, and I am so happy to share one of those stories with you. You might already have heard this one, but then again, maybe not.  It's right behind that link at the top, or you can click here.