Collection of Tales by Charles Perrault

The series "Favorite Authors" presents to your attention, dear readers, the tales of Charles Perrault:

• «Little Red Riding Hood»;
• «Puss in Boots»; 
• «The Fairy's Gifts»;
• «Cinderella»; 
• «Tom Thumb» 
• «Sleeping Beauty»;
• «Riquet with the Tuft».

When it comes to these tales by Perrault, the words come to mind: famous, best, most well-known, wonderful, beloved by all, popular. 

But even all these adjectives and superlatives taken together cannot reflect the grandeur of the influence of Charles Perrault's tales on European culture. 

It is enough to remind readers that these tales first saw the light 320 years ago. And from the very first days they enjoyed tremendous success. 

In 1697, a collection of tales entitled “Tales of Mother Goose” was published in Paris. The author was credited as a certain Pierre Darmancour. The real author was his father, Charles Perrault. The collection consisted of 8 tales, 7 of which are presented in this book. 

These works by Perrault opened up to Europe the world of literary fairy tales. All of them are literary adaptations of European folklore into modern French. It is from this collection that a vigorous flourishing of a new and beloved genre of literary fairy tales began in European countries, cherished by everyone from young to old. 

Later, there will be the Brothers Grimm, Hoffmann, Hauff, Andersen, Pushkin. But it was these 7 tales by Perrault that laid the foundation for this truly great genre. 

We made this small excursion into history so that our children could definitely come into contact with this cultural treasure - the famous tales of Charles Perrault. Their significance for human development is as great as the value of masterpieces in the best art galleries of the world.