ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA: TALES FROM ACROSS THE NATION

“Once upon a time…” is a common yet powerful fairytale opener. When reading that sentence we have a sense of excitement, magic, and adventure that awaits us between the pages. A fairytale is a short story of the fantasy genre where it will transport you to a magical world where miraculous creatures exist and magic happens.  Here are some fairy tales that will bring comfort and joy to anyone who needs it:

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is known to be the first American Fairytale. This book tells the story of a young girl named Dorothy from Kansas who is swept away to a magical land called Oz by a tornado and must embark on a journey to find her way back home. Along the way she meets various characters, including the Scarecrow, who wishes he had brains; the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage; joins her on her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz and ask for his help in returning home. They face various problems, such as the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks to take revenge on Dorothy for accidentally killing her sister. The book was published in 1900 and has been a beloved classic in American literature.

• Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

“Rip Van Winkle” is a classic story and an example of an American literature story. The story was published in 1819 and written by Washington Irving. Rip Van Winkle is a man who lives in a small village in the Catskill Mountains of New York during the late 1700s. One day, he went out to the woods to find peace and solitude. When he decided to go back home, he saw a stranger carrying a keg on his shoulder and helped him. He comes upon a group of dwarfs playing bowling and was offered a drink. He fell asleep right after and woke up 20 years later. This story is often viewed as a commentary on the changing nature of America during the 19th century. Rip’s experience of waking up to a world that has completely transformed mirrors the changes that were occurring in American society as the country transitioned from a colonial era to an independent nation.

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

This story takes place in Tarrytown, New York, during the late 18th century in Sleepy Hollow, a secluded valley. In the story, Ichabod Crane, a superstitious teacher, competes against Brom Bones, the town hero, for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel. The story is a whimsical and romantic tale with a supernatural element, such as the Headless Horseman, the ghostly figure that haunts this area. There have been numerous adaptations into films, plays, and other forms of media, making it one of the classic American Halloween tales.

Growing up, it’s easy to forget the power of a good fairytale but fairy tales are important because you can escape from reality, spark your imagination, and go on an adventure that involves dwarfs, a headless horsemen, and a pair of magical ruby slippers.

References:

Baum, L. F. (2013). The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Hesperus Press.

Irving, W. (2013). Rip Van Winkle. Courier Corporation.

Irving, W. (2006). The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.