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Magical Thinking:
Folktales, Fairy Tales, and Fables
from Around the World

by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

My daughter has never had an interest in Disney princesses, but homemade Halloween “princess” costumes attest to the fact that she has always had a sense of adventure, a love of magic, a fondness for cool outfits, and the words “once upon a time.” Fairy tale audiobooks were among her first favorite stories, and I get that. One of my most cherished memories is of being confined to bed with scarlet fever. It was AWESOME. I got ice cream, and was brought tote bags filled with all sorts of enchanting tales.

biggyprintcapeletprincessFor all of us who still wish, on occasion, for a magic wand, a godmother who makes it all better, a noble quest, or a royal crown, here are a few family faves beyond Grimm, all with an international flair.

Around the world, fairy tales tell universal truths as they feed us with magic and mystery. My little princess still gets that far away look in her eyes as soon as she hears those four words: Once Upon A Time.

And so do I.