Did the Brothers Grimm write fairy tales?
In short: No. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected and edited tales that were told to them and found in earlier books. Their Children's and Household Tales first appeared in 1812 and was revised in seven editions up to 1857, with stories softened, shortened and sometimes changed completely.
Who told them the stories?
Many came from friends and neighbours in Kassel, often educated middle-class women, and some from storytellers of French Huguenot background, such as Dorothea Viehmann. This is why the tales are not simply “peasant stories”.
How the tales changed
- In later editions several wicked mothers became stepmothers.
- Violence was often kept, but sexual references were removed.
- Religious touches and moral endings were added.
- A shorter, illustrated Small Edition for children appeared in 1825.
A scholars' book first
The first edition was meant for scholars and came with long notes. It became a children's book step by step, as families bought it for the stories.
Why this matters for retelling
The Grimms themselves edited the tales for the audience they expected. Retelling a tale gently for small children continues that tradition.
Timeline
- 1812First volume of Kinder- und Hausmärchen.
- 1819Second edition, with changes.
- 1825Small Edition for young readers.
- 1857Seventh and final edition.
Questions
Which tales did the Grimms invent?
None of them are known to be their own invention. They gathered tales and rewrote the text, especially Wilhelm.
Are Grimm tales for children?
Not originally. Many are dark. Choose a retelling that suits the age.
Sources and further reading
- Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Kinder- und Hausmärchen (1812-1857).
- Maria Tatar, The Annotated Brothers Grimm.
- Jack Zipes, The Brothers Grimm: From Enchanted Forests to the Modern World.