"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales." ~ Albert Einstein
From the Guest Editor
Elyse Hertfelder
My topic for Kalliope started off as anything does; an idea. It grew and developed, slowly becoming this issue. This isn’t just about Disney and finding a happily ever after. It’s more than the renditions we grew up with and love. Fairy tales take us to far away places that allow us to escape. We can fight the villains and be the hero. We can be who we want to be and experience what we can only find in dreams. After all, they’re about finding yourself and coming into your own. But, in all this, I want you to remember: your imagination makes them real, so use it. Become who you want to be. Escape to other worlds.
Don’t be afraid to dream, because our imagination and dreams are who we truly are. Read about the first fairy tales, find new renditions of old ones, and, most importantly, revel in the freedom they give you. This is your time. Here, you are free to daydream. So fly away and settle among the clouds; these stories are here, ready and waiting.
"Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." ~ C. S. Lewis
Elyse Hertfelder
My topic for Kalliope started off as anything does; an idea. It grew and developed, slowly becoming this issue. This isn’t just about Disney and finding a happily ever after. It’s more than the renditions we grew up with and love. Fairy tales take us to far away places that allow us to escape. We can fight the villains and be the hero. We can be who we want to be and experience what we can only find in dreams. After all, they’re about finding yourself and coming into your own. But, in all this, I want you to remember: your imagination makes them real, so use it. Become who you want to be. Escape to other worlds.
Don’t be afraid to dream, because our imagination and dreams are who we truly are. Read about the first fairy tales, find new renditions of old ones, and, most importantly, revel in the freedom they give you. This is your time. Here, you are free to daydream. So fly away and settle among the clouds; these stories are here, ready and waiting.
"Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." ~ C. S. Lewis
F A I R Y T A L E S
This April 2014 issue of Kalliope features writing and editing by Darrell King, Jennifer Mata, Elyse Hertfelder, and Shavawn M. Berry. It was guest edited by Elyse Hertfelder. Several members of my current Technical Editing class also made contributions. They are: Caitlen Welch, Stephanie Funk, Elizabeth Joyce, and Susan Rice. Morgan T. Fitkin also wrote for us in this issue. Our articles cover everything from dark fairy tales (Bluebeard, Maleficent) to The Beauty and the Beast. We tackled myths - examining the powerful, symbolic tale of Demeter and Persephone, and explored the writings of a modern author, putting her own twist on the fairy tale genre. There are psychological studies and social commentary on these beloved (if often whitewashed) stories. Fairy tales exist in every culture around the world. Different versions of the Cinderella story can be found in Africa, China, Europe and the U.S. We've unpacked the origins of fairy tales in this issue, as well as the stereotypes associated with them. Fairy tales are not just for children. They contain layers and layers of symbolic meaning that can inform and improve our lives. Don't take them lightly and they will teach you much. ~ Shavawn M. Berry, Managing Editor, Kalliope |
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