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A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales (1972) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Author: Helen Hyman

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Thirty traditional fairy tales in two volumes include "Hansel and Gretel," "Puss-in-Boots," "Thumbelina," and "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp."

Middle Grade • 1972 • 300 pages • Grade 3-5

by Helen Hyman

5.0

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

This 1972 collection of traditional stories is recommended for children ages 8+ due to the inclusion of classic fairy tale violence and dark thematic elements. While sanitized compared to the original Grimm versions, the book contains scenes of physical peril, magical transformations used as punishment, and the occasional death of villains. It is a standard treasury for elementary-aged readers who enjoy traditional folklore from… Sign up for the full guide

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Is A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales appropriate for kids?

Content severity in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

Sex None 0/10

Violence Strong 5/10

Language None 0/10

Substances Mild 1/10

Themes Moderate 4/10

What happens in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales, moment by moment

p. 12 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
p. 22 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
p. 28 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10

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Sex and nudity in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

This category is entirely absent from the collection as the stories focus on chaste romance and marriage as a moral reward. In 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty', the narrative culminates in 'true love's kiss' or a royal wedding, which are presented as symbolic of virtue rather than physical desire. There are no suggestive descriptions of characters or instances of double-entendre. The relationships are portrayed through a traditional, sanitized lens appropriate for middle-grade readers. The collection maintains a…

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Violence and gore in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

Violence is moderate for the fairy tale genre and follows standard traditional tropes. While readers encounter scenes where a giant falls to his death or a witch is burned in an oven, these moments are treated as just consequences rather than opportunities for gore. Characters like the Big Bad Wolf or the Evil Queen face lethal endings that are described matter-of-factly to emphasize the victory of the protagonist. Physical peril is a frequent plot driver, such as the huntsman's order to kill Snow White. However…

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Language in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

Modern profanity and crude language are entirely absent from this 1972 publication. The vocabulary is formal, traditional, and archaic in places, reflecting the historical origins of the folklore. Characters speak with a high degree of politeness, even when plotting against one another, and there are no instances of even mild name-calling or slang. Parents can expect a reading level that is sophisticated but linguistically clean. The text relies on descriptive prose rather than dialogue-heavy slang to convey…

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Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

Very light. Occasional mentions of wine or ale served at feasts or royal banquets in a historical, festive context.

Mature themes in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales

The collection explores heavy themes such as abandonment, extreme poverty, and the binary struggle between good and evil. In 'Hansel and Gretel', children face the terrifying reality of parents who cannot afford to feed them, leading to their desertion in a dangerous forest. Characters like Cinderella endure prolonged emotional abuse and domestic servitude, which highlights themes of social injustice. Many stories also touch upon the consequences of greed, such as in 'The Fisherman and His Wife'. The book uses…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales is best for ages 8+. This 1972 collection of traditional stories is recommended for children ages 8+ due to the inclusion of classic fairy tale violence and dark thematic elements. While sanitized compared to the original Grimm versions…

What age rating does A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales is published for a Middle Grade audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.

What reading level is A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales?

A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales is 300 pages and its reading level is Grade 3-5. Bontent recommends it for ages 8+.

What is A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales about?

Is there sex or nudity in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales?

How violent is A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales?

Is the language in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales?

Very light. Occasional mentions of wine or ale served at feasts or royal banquets in a historical, festive context.

What mature themes appear in A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales?

Where can I read the full A treasury of the world's greatest fairy tales parent guide?

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