Fairy tales are excellent materials to help children understand the story elements such as plot, setting and theme. They teach children to think critically.
One of the wonderful things about fairy tales is the fact that they have captured the imagination of children for generations. The opening line ‘Once Upon a Time’ has the unique ability to immediately take the children to a world packed with magic and dreams.
Twisted tales offer a new and empowering perspective on the well-known stories and characters from fairy tales, adapting them to modern times and themes. The modern version of fairy tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood are very different than their originals. The alternative fairy tales are all about the ‘what if’ of the story and exploring a new point of view of the classic narrative. They might include alternative settings, plot twists, funny fairy-tale blend or role reversals.
The twisted tales will not only attract pupils’ attention, entertain them, stimulate their curiosity and imagination, but also correspond with their fears and needs. Child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim, who specialised in the importance of fairy tales in childhood, believed that alternative fairy tales – as equally as the classic fairy tales – can aid children in dealing with anxiety, conflict, and teach them some unexpected lessons. Young children judge characters and events themselves. They confront the real world around them with the world depicted in a fairy tale, a wonderful world, sometimes unrealistic.
The role turnaround in the twisted tales enables the pupils to develop empathy; teaches social skills and skills to understand the importance of acceptance in our lives.
And finally, alternative fairy tales are great fun!
This pack explores five books that put a spin on classic fairy tales. Ignite your pupils’ curiosity and encourage your children to create their own twisted tale.
Goldilocks and just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson
A funny and clever twisted fairy tale based on the familiar story ‘Goldilocks and the three bears’. We all know that when Goldilocks made a bit of a mess of the Three Bears’ house, they were glad to see the back of her. But did you ever wonder what happened afterwards?Well, quite a lot actually. Goldilocks is now grown-up living with her family in a rather smart apartment. How will she react to coming home and finding that a very lost Baby Bear has been scoffing her porridge; breaking chairs; and sleeping in her bed? Will she be angry, or is it finally time to make amends?
Jim and the Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs
This well-lived tale has been given new life and freshness.
One morning Jim found the beanstalk growing outside his window. He began to climb up the plant and at the top he found a sad and toothless Giant that doesn’t even want to eat him. But when Jim befriends him, the Giant begins to feel more like his old self and suddenly he has a taste for a fried boy…
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
A hilarious take on the well-loved fairy tale and the typical fight between pigs and wolves as you have never seen it before!
It was time for the three little wolves to go out into the world, so they set off and built themselves a splendid brick house. The big bad pig comes along and when huffing and puffing fails to work, he uses a sledgehammer to bring the house down. Next, they build a home of concrete; the pig demolishes it with his pneumatic drill. The three little wolves choose an even stronger design next time round: they erect a house, made of steel, barbed wire, and video entry system, but the pig finds a way to demolish it too. It is only when the wolves construct a rather fragile house made of cherry blossoms, daffodils, pink roses, and marigolds that the pig has a change of heart.
Cinderelephant by Emma Dodd
This funny version of the Cinderella played out by an elephant, with its enchanting illustrations will entertain and spark curiosity with your pupils.
Once upon a time there was a lonely girl called Cinderelephant. She lived with her two cousins, who were known as the Warty Sisters. One day, an invitation arrived from Prince Trunky who was looking for love, so the whole kingdom was going to his grand ball – everyone , except for Cinderelephant. Luckily, for her, Furry Godmouse had a plan…
The Wolf’s story by Toby Forward
The ‘Wolf’s story’ is the well-known fairy tale about Little Red Riding Hood, told from the viewpoint of the wolf who is determined to convince readers that the version we all know is mistaken. wolf was really helping Grandma with odd jobs he did shopping, altered her clothes. Vegetarian cuisine was his new speciality. The wolf was trying to protect the Grandma from the jaw-breaking toffee that Red Riding Hood always brings. However, his tone tells a different story, or does it?
Facilitate activities:
Read
Children should become familiar with the classic fairy tales and have access to twisted tales in the book corner.
Re- write
Pupils begin reimaging the classic stories and then come up with what is known as ‘twisted tales’. Encourage your children to introduce new characters, plot points or different scenery that can add a fun twist on the classic.
Re-enact
Borrow fairy tale costumes from the Learning Resources Service to act out these stories.
Go cross-curricular
- Grow beans in jam jars to observe the development of the bean plant after reading ‘Jim and the beanstalk’.
- Build houses with recycled materials after reading ‘Three little wolves and the big bad pig’.
- After reading ‘Cinderelephant’ survey the sizes, widths, and areas of the children’s feet.
