Once Long Ago

Once Long Ago presents a collection of 70 fairy tales gathered from cultures across the globe, translated and retold by Roger Lancelyn Green with illustrations by Vojtěch Kubašta. The stories range from well-known European classics to rare tales from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The collection features lesser-known stories like "The Nung-Guama" from China and "The Voice of Death" from Romania, alongside familiar favorites such as "Little Snow White" and "The Sleeping Beauty." Each tale maintains its cultural authenticity while being accessible to English-speaking readers. Originally published in 1962 by Golden Pleasure Books in London, the book saw two subsequent editions in 1966 and 1967. Though currently out of print, it remains a significant compilation of world folklore. The anthology demonstrates how similar themes and motifs appear across different cultures, revealing the universal nature of storytelling and human experience. The diversity of tales offers insights into various cultural traditions and values.

Roger Lancelyn Green's collection of folk tales receives positive mentions from readers for its breadth of stories from different cultures, including less commonly featured regions like Australian Aboriginal and North American Indigenous tales. Parents note the accessible language and suitability for reading aloud to children ages 7-12. Readers appreciate: - Detailed illustrations by Vojtěch Kubašta - Clear, straightforward retellings - Cultural diversity of included stories - Brief introductions providing context for each tale Common criticisms: - Some stories feel abruptly ended - A few cultural representations feel dated - Limited availability of current editions - Print quality issues in newer versions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (85 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (6 reviews) One reviewer on Goodreads writes: "The stories maintain their original flavor while being accessible to young readers." Another notes: "The illustrations alone make this worth tracking down."

The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Contains fairy tales from multiple cultures with a focus on European classics which parallel Green's comprehensive approach to folklore collection.

Folk Tales from Around the World by Amelia Edwards Presents global folktales from six continents with authentic cultural details and narrative structures found in traditional storytelling.

The Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library Series by Various Authors Collects region-specific folk narratives with scholarly annotations that explore cultural context and story origins.

World Tales: The Extraordinary Coincidence of Stories Told in All Times, in All Places by Idries Shah Maps the connections between international folktales through shared themes and motifs across different societies.

Treasury of World Folk Tales by Helen Piers Compiles traditional stories from remote cultures with preservation of original story elements and cultural significance.

🌟 Roger Lancelyn Green was part of the famous Inklings literary group at Oxford, alongside C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who greatly influenced his writing style. 🌟 The book's illustrator, Vojtěch Kubašta, was renowned for creating intricate pop-up books and is considered one of the most influential paper engineers of the 20th century. 🌟 Many of the tales in this collection were previously only passed down through oral tradition before being documented in writing during the mid-20th century. 🌟 The book was published in 1962, during a period of growing international interest in multicultural folklore studies and preservation of traditional stories. 🌟 Green pioneered the approach of retelling myths and legends for children while maintaining their cultural authenticity, a method he developed through his extensive work on Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology.