ONCE UPON A WORLD

All over the world, for thousands of years, people have been telling fairy tales - full of magic, romance and adventure.

 

ONCE UPON A WORLD brings together two stories from this rich global heritage that are strikingly alike but from different parts of the world: the first little known, the second an old favourite.

 

The series is recommended by Booktrust in their guide to Folk And fairy Tales published in 2004.

 

 

THE GOLDEN SLIPPER

and Cinderella

 

Two tales, both about a poor girl who wishes to go to the prince's ball.  One wears a glass slipper, the other a golden one made by the shoesmiths of ancient Egypt!  Will both get there before the lights are turned off?

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk

 

 

THE LONELY PRINCESS

and Rapunzel

 

Rapunzel is kept locked in a tower with no doors or stairs.  In India, Asita is imprisoned by her jealous father in a floating palace high in the clouds.  Will she ever get out in time to marry her prince?

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk

 

GUESS MY NAME

and Rumplestiltskin

 

Rumplestiltskin is the name of the wicked gnome who wants to carry away the queen's son. In Celtic folklore, a Welsh farmer falls in love with a beautiful fairy.  To marry her he must guess her name.  Will he succeed?

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk

 

THE ENCHANTED GAZELLE

and Puss In Boots

 

In Puss In Boots, a cat helps a young lad become the lord mayor of London.  In The Enchanted Gazelle, a story from East Africa, a gazelle helps a beggar become a prince. The only trouble is, the beggar is not grateful at all...

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk

 

THE GIANT OAK TREE

and Jack And The Beanstalk

 

When Jack climbs up the beanstalk, he discovers the home of two giants.  When Marik climbs up a giant oak tree, he finds a rooster in a castle who gives him a magic pepper mill.  Will the mill make him and his wife rich?  Find out in this hilarious Russian folk tale.

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk

 

THE GLASS PALACE

and The Sleeping Beauty

 

The Sleeping Beauty is laid to rest in a glass coffin.  Sittukhan, an Arab princess. gets a whole glass palace in the middle of a scorching desert. Will she be awoken by a handsome prince?  Discover what happens to her in this story taken from The Thousand And One Nights.

 

Buy from amazon.co.uk