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Reading Notes: Andersen Fairy Tales, Unit B

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Today I continued with my Andersen fairy tales readings. This unit was actually just one long story (the tale of the Little Mermaid), which was lovely with its incredible description and details. Here are my thoughts on the six-part story from this Unit B reading:  The mermaid by Edmund Dulac. Source: Wikipedia . The Little Mermaid This story is very beautiful but terribly sad (the only version I've ever seen/known is the Disney story, which has a far happier ending than this). I think it could easily be changed into a series of diary entries from the little mermaid that might accurately convey her teenage curiosity and angst, but also give readers glimpses of her thought process beyond those emotions (especially what's going on in her mind for her to sacrifice her entire life and happiness to be with the prince). It can also function as a narration device when she eventually loses her voice. I would certainly want to shorten the story — it has detail that's almos...
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Reading notes: Andersen Fairy Tales, Unit A

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I dearly love Hans Christian Andersen tales — I have a beautiful book somewhere at home that my dad gifted a few years ago with gorgeous illustrations accompanying the stories. I decided to read a few of his stories this week, so here are my favorites of the bunch:  The Emperor's New Suit "The Little Match Girl," by Anne Anderson. Source: Wikimedia .  Maybe the emperor and his clothes could be updated for modern times — instead of being fashion-savvy, the emperor could be a tech-savvy businessman, always reaching for the latest gadget. The swindlers could be selling him some incredible new piece of technology that of course wouldn't actually exist or be functional. Being so eager to be in the know, the businessman would take them up on their offer, making a fool of himself in front of other industry leaders when he claims the technology is working and useful.  The Brave Tin Soldier This story is very sad and sweet, and I think would be best retold fr...
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Week 14 story: The Elves

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In a thriving city not far from here, there lived a talented baker and his wife.  But the passion in the baker’s heart for his pastries and bake shop did not match the funds in his bank account, which ran drier by the day. At last, the baker and his wife realized that they had but enough money and ingredients for one more day of pastry production.  The baker dutifully prepped his ingredients and bases for his last day of operation the night before, shedding a single tear as he turned off the lights in his shop’s kitchen and headed upstairs to his apartment.  But when the baker turned up the lights in the kitchen the next morning, he was met with a glorious surprise: a row of pastries and treats, still hot and fresh, all ready their trays. He gasped in delight and called to his wife, who helped him set the treats out in the shop.  Soon the shop’s regulars began to appear for their morning muffins and danishes. They noticed on first sight how beautiful ...
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Reading Notes: Grimm (Ashliman), Unit B

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I wasn't as much of a fan of several stories in this unit — they seemed a little more unfocused than the Unit A stories, most of which had clear endings and morals. Here, however, were several that I did enjoy from this Grimm unit:  Simeli Mountain This story was one of the darker ones in the unit, more of what I would expect from a Grimm tale. I enjoy that in this story, as in many of the stories in this unit, the evil character truly does receive a terrible comeuppance at the story's end, but I think I might change that in a retelling. Maybe instead of being beheaded in the mountain, the older brother is chased out of the mountain and exiled from the land by the twelve strong robbers.  Illustration by Otto Ubbelohde. Web source .  The Duration of Life This was an interesting origin-type story that was actually kind of sobering at the end. I wonder if I might add another animal in that gives more life and joy to the duration of m...
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Reading notes: Grimm (Ashliman), Unit A

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This week, I read some of the Brothers Grimm work from the Ashliman unit. The stories were quite clever and I enjoyed them all — overall, they definitely weren't as dark as I expected. Here were some of my favorites:  Little Red Cap Little Red Riding Hood, by Arthur Rackham. Source: Wikimedia . I love this Little Red Riding Hood-esque tale — the details are charming and vivid (especially the bit about how the wolf distracts Little Red Cap while she's on her way to grandmother's house). I think one thing I could do with this story is retell it from Little Red Cap's perspective. I also thought about modernizing the tale with some present-day details, but I think the story would lose some of its charm that way.  The Singing Bone This story was dark, but so interesting — I actually gasped at the terrible fate of the older brother at the end. I wonder if there might be a way to bring the younger brother back to life at the end of the story, so he can truly tr...
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Week 13 story: Scrapefoot

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Anchor: "Aaaand welcome back to Forest News at Five. We've got breaking news for you about a crime in our forest that will make you lock your doors tonight. For more, we go to the scene with reporter Lucy Lion." Lucy: "I'm here at the three bears' castle with some truly startling news. In a neighborhood most assumed to be safe, the bears have seen otherwise today. Let's hear from the bear family now on the disturbing occurrence that took place here just hours ago." Mother bear: "It was terrifying. When we got back from our wonderful afternoon picnic, I realized our castle's front door was open just a crack, and that's where the trouble started."  Father bear: "When we walked in, I saw my son's chair was all broken down and clearly sat in, but that was only the beginning of what this hooligan did to our beautiful home." Lucy: "The three bears report that on returning home, they found out that not on...
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Reading Notes: More English fairy tales, Unit B

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The Children in the Wood This story and the prose it's told in are interesting, and the tale just kept getting darker and darker as I read. I like the rhyme scheme the original sticks to, but I don't think I could maintain something like this in a retelling. Maybe I could rewrite it from the perspective of the uncle, who's telling his story to another prisoner after being taken in for the neglect and killing of his niece and nephew. Rushen Coatie This story was another sweet Cinderlla-esque tale. I especially enjoyed the addition of the little red calf over the fairy godmother — he was a delightful character. One thing I've never quite understood in the Cinderella/Rushen Coatie tale is just why the step sisters/mother hate her so much. I think these characters need more motivation — maybe Rushen Coatie is still to receive all of her father's inheritance though he remarried?  Maybe they all wish to be accepted by Rushen Coatie's father  but he truly love...
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