Charles Perrault

Lore & Background

Charles Perrault began recording fairy tales in France, publishing his first collection in 1697. They were not well received among the French literary society, who saw them as only fit for old people and children. Perrault's 1697 'Tales of Mother Goose' became one of the children's titles that became famous as classroom reading texts in the nineteenth century. The popularity of these texts led to the creation of a number of nineteenth-century fantasy and fairy tales for children which featured magic objects and talking animals.

Reader's Guide

Charles Perrault's 1697 collection 'Histoires ou contes du temps passé' (also known as 'Tales of Mother Goose') is a key early work in children's literature. These tales were originally adapted from earlier folk traditions. Perrault's work, along with the fables of Aesop and Jean de la Fontaine, became famous as classroom reading texts in the nineteenth century. Their popularity helped inspire later nineteenth-century fantasy and fairy tales for children that featured magic objects and talking animals.

Did You Know?

• Charles Perrault published his first collection of fairy tales in 1697.
• Perrault's tales were not well received among French literary society, who considered them only fit for old people and children.
• His 'Tales of Mother Goose' became a famous classroom reading text in the nineteenth century.
• Perrault's work helped inspire later nineteenth-century fantasy and fairy tales for children.