Traditional Literature: Is it Too Much for Kids?

Traditional literature is a favorite of mine! I believe it is foundational to all the other stories we read. Over the years, traditional literature has been cleaned up for children. Think Disney.

Some people argue that children can handle the violence, and in fact according to research by Ann Trousdale*, knowing that the big bad wolf is dead, can prevent nightmares.

I Am Traditional Literature on Storybird

In one version of the Grimm Brother's "Cinderella," the stepsisters cut off pieces of their feet in order to make the shoe fit. The Prince realizes that he has been tricked when he sees their blood dripping on the ground. 

CC image by Evergleamy

Many modern retellings of folktales have deleted such depictions of violence and other details that are not considered appropriate for children. Read a traditional folktale, especially those translated from the Brothers Grimm. Compare them to Disney's retellings of folktales such as Cinderella and Snow White.

Are there other topics or details that you feel might not be suitable for children?

In an article from Children's Literature in Education, Ann Trousdale* argued adults should not remove the violence from folktales. Read more about Trousdale's argument in this psychology student's blog post.

Give reasons for and against Trousdale's advice.

Are there other details in traditional literature that should be "cleaned up" for children? What about offensive stories like "The Jew Among Thorns" and "The White Bride and the Black Bride" -- In your opinion, are these themes more off-limits than violence?

Address a rationale to parents explaining your choices of the traditional literature you plan to use in your classroom.

*Ann Trousdale. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Children's Literature in Education" V20 #2 June 1989. pp 69-79.

Talk Point from Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature by Barbara Z. Kiefer, 2010, tenth edition.