The Langs' Fairy Books are a 25-book series of children's stories, many of them fairytales collected from all across the globe, published from 1889 to 1913. The editors were Scottish folklorist Andrew Lang and his wife, translator Leonora "Nora" Lang. Andrew edited and wrote prefaces, while Nora became the main selector of tales after the first four books.
Although the series was both ambitious and incredibly influential, many of the stories lack attribution, and it's unclear where they came from. They had numerous translators working, so that may also have played into the lack of clear sources. The books were also, in large part, intended for children who would not care where exactly all the stories came from.
This page is currently under construction.
The Green Fairy Book
The Pink Fairy Book
The Grey Fairy Book
Although the series was both ambitious and incredibly influential, many of the stories lack attribution, and it's unclear where they came from. They had numerous translators working, so that may also have played into the lack of clear sources. The books were also, in large part, intended for children who would not care where exactly all the stories came from.
This page is currently under construction.
The Green Fairy Book
The Pink Fairy Book
The Grey Fairy Book
The Green Fairy Book (1892)
"The Blue Bird"
"The Half-Chick"
"The Story of Caliph Stork"
"The Enchanted Watch"
"Rosanella"
"Sylvain and Jocosa"
"Fairy Gifts"
"Prince Narcissus and the Princess Potentilla"
"Prince Featherhead and the Princess Celandine"
"The Three Little Pigs"
"Heart of Ice"
"The Enchanted Ring"
"The Snuff-box"
"The Golden Blackbird"
"The Little Soldier"
"The Magic Swan"
"The Dirty Shepherdess"
"The Enchanted Snake"
"The Biter Bit"
"King Kojata"
"Prince Fickle and Fair Helena"
"Puddocky"
Lang’s citation: "From the German."
Source: Büsching, Johann Gustav (1812). Volkssagen, Märchen und Legenden. Leipzig. pp. 286–294. "Das Mahrchen von der Padde."
Another translation (which groups it with the Brothers Grimm for some reason):
"The Story of the Three Bears"
"Prince Vivien and the Princess Placida"
"Little One-eye, Little Two-eyes, and Little Three-eyes"
"Jorinde and Joringel"
"Allerleirauh; or, the Many-furred Creature"
"The Twelve Huntsmen"
"Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle"
"The Crystal Coffin"
"The Three Snake-leaves"
"The Riddle"
"Jack my Hedgehog"
"The Golden Lads"
"The White Snake"
"The Story of a Clever Tailor"
"The Golden Mermaid"
Lang’s citation: “Grimm.”
Source: Schott, Arthur; Schott, Albert. Walachische Maehrchen. 1845. pp. 253–262.
Notes: Major error by Lang here. This is actually a Romanian tale from the Banat region, collected under the title “Das goldene Meermädchen” by Arthur and Albert Schott. In Romanian, the title would be “Fata de aur a mării,” or “The Golden Girl of the Sea.”
The German equivalent collected by the Grimms is "The Golden Bird,” where the equivalent character is the princess of a golden castle.
"The War of the Wolf and the Fox"
"The Story of the Fisherman and his Wife"
"The Three Musicians"
"The Three Dogs"
"The Blue Bird"
"The Half-Chick"
"The Story of Caliph Stork"
"The Enchanted Watch"
"Rosanella"
"Sylvain and Jocosa"
"Fairy Gifts"
"Prince Narcissus and the Princess Potentilla"
"Prince Featherhead and the Princess Celandine"
"The Three Little Pigs"
"Heart of Ice"
"The Enchanted Ring"
"The Snuff-box"
"The Golden Blackbird"
"The Little Soldier"
"The Magic Swan"
"The Dirty Shepherdess"
"The Enchanted Snake"
"The Biter Bit"
"King Kojata"
"Prince Fickle and Fair Helena"
"Puddocky"
Lang’s citation: "From the German."
Source: Büsching, Johann Gustav (1812). Volkssagen, Märchen und Legenden. Leipzig. pp. 286–294. "Das Mahrchen von der Padde."
Another translation (which groups it with the Brothers Grimm for some reason):
- Taylor, Edgar (1877). Grimm's Goblins: German Popular Stories Translated from the Kinder und Haus Marchen. London: R. Meek & Co. pp. 201–206. "Cherry the Frog Bride."
"The Story of the Three Bears"
"Prince Vivien and the Princess Placida"
"Little One-eye, Little Two-eyes, and Little Three-eyes"
"Jorinde and Joringel"
"Allerleirauh; or, the Many-furred Creature"
"The Twelve Huntsmen"
"Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle"
"The Crystal Coffin"
"The Three Snake-leaves"
"The Riddle"
"Jack my Hedgehog"
"The Golden Lads"
"The White Snake"
"The Story of a Clever Tailor"
"The Golden Mermaid"
Lang’s citation: “Grimm.”
Source: Schott, Arthur; Schott, Albert. Walachische Maehrchen. 1845. pp. 253–262.
Notes: Major error by Lang here. This is actually a Romanian tale from the Banat region, collected under the title “Das goldene Meermädchen” by Arthur and Albert Schott. In Romanian, the title would be “Fata de aur a mării,” or “The Golden Girl of the Sea.”
The German equivalent collected by the Grimms is "The Golden Bird,” where the equivalent character is the princess of a golden castle.
"The War of the Wolf and the Fox"
"The Story of the Fisherman and his Wife"
"The Three Musicians"
"The Three Dogs"
The Pink Fairy Book (1897)
The Cat’s Elopement
Lang’s citation: "[From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen, von David Brauns (Leipzig: Wilhelm Friedrich).]"
How the Dragon Was Tricked"
Lang’s citation: "From Griechtsche und Albanesische Marchen, von J. G. von Hahn. (Leipzig: Engelmann. 1864.)"
The Goblin and the Grocer
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
From this, we can guess Lang's source was a German translation.
The House in the Wood
Lang’s citation: "From the German of Grimm."
Uraschimataro and the Turtle
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen, von David Brauns (Leipzig: Wilhelm Friedrich)."
The Slaying of the Tanuki
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen."
The Flying Trunk
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Snow-man
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Shirt-collar
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Princess in the Chest
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. pp. 142-158. "Prinsessen i Kisten."
Another translation:
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm."
The Snow-queen
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen by Miss Alma Alleyne."
The Fir-tree
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Christian Andersen."
Hans, the Mermaid’s Son
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Svend. Danske folkeeventyr, volume 2. "Hans Havfruesøn."
Another translation:
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #18. "Peder Oxe."
The Bird ‘Grip’
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Swedish."
Source: Wigström, Eva. Folkdiktning, visor, sägner, sagor, gåtor, ordspråk, ringdansar, lekar och barnvisor, samlad och upptecknad i Skåne. 1880. p. 261. "Fogel Grip."
Notes: The title literally means "The Bird Griffin."
Snowflake
Lang’s citation: "Slavonic story. Contes Populaires Slaves, traduits par Louis Leger. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
I Know What I Have Learned
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
no source found yet
The Cunning Shoemaker
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen."
The King Who Would Have a Beautiful Wife
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen."
Catherine and Her Destiny
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen von Laura Gonzenbach. Leipzig, Engelmann, 1870."
How the Hermit Helped to Win the King’s Daughter
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen"
The Water of Life
"Cuentos Populars Catalans, per lo Dr. D. Francisco de S. Maspous y Labros. Barcelona, 1885."
The Wounded Lion
Lang’s citation: "Cuentos Populars Catalans."
The Man Without a Heart
Source: A Grundtvig story, but I'm not sure which volume yet.
Another translation:
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Marchen. L. Gonzenbach."
Master and Pupil
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
The Golden Lion
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen. L. Gonzenbach."
The Sprig of Rosemary
Lang’s citation: "Cuentos Populars Catalans, per lo Dr. D. Francisco de S. Maspons y Labros (Barcelona: Libreria de Don Alvar Verdaguer 1885)."
The White Dove
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #5. "Den hvide Due."
The Troll’s Daughter
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #2. "Troldens Datter."
Esben and the Witch
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Princess Minon-minette
Lang’s citation: "Bibliotheque des Fees et aes Genies"
Maiden Bright-eye
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish"
The Merry Wives
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish"
King Lindorm
Lang’s citation: "From the Swedish."
Source: Wigström, Eva. Folkdiktning, visor, sägner, sagor, gåtor, ordspråk, ringdansar, lekar och barnvisor, samlad och upptecknad i Skåne. 1880. "Prins Lindorm." p. 242. English translation: Blecher, Swedish Folktales and Legends, p. 221.
The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther
Lang’s citation: "Contes populaires des Bassoutos. Recueillis et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
The Little Hare
Lang’s citation: "Contes populaires des Bassoutos. Recueillis et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen."
The Story of Ciccu
Lang’s citation: "From Sicilianische Mahrchen."
Don Giovanni De La Fortuna
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen"
The Cat’s Elopement
Lang’s citation: "[From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen, von David Brauns (Leipzig: Wilhelm Friedrich).]"
How the Dragon Was Tricked"
Lang’s citation: "From Griechtsche und Albanesische Marchen, von J. G. von Hahn. (Leipzig: Engelmann. 1864.)"
The Goblin and the Grocer
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
From this, we can guess Lang's source was a German translation.
The House in the Wood
Lang’s citation: "From the German of Grimm."
Uraschimataro and the Turtle
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen, von David Brauns (Leipzig: Wilhelm Friedrich)."
The Slaying of the Tanuki
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen."
The Flying Trunk
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Snow-man
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Shirt-collar
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen."
The Princess in the Chest
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. pp. 142-158. "Prinsessen i Kisten."
Another translation:
- J. Grant Cramer, Danish Fairy Tales "The Princess in the Coffin
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm."
The Snow-queen
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Andersen by Miss Alma Alleyne."
The Fir-tree
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the German of Hans Christian Andersen."
Hans, the Mermaid’s Son
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Svend. Danske folkeeventyr, volume 2. "Hans Havfruesøn."
Another translation:
- Hein, Gustav. Danish fairy tales, from Svend Grundtvig; done into English by Gustav Hein. 1914. "Olaf the Mermaid's Son."
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #18. "Peder Oxe."
The Bird ‘Grip’
Lang’s citation: "Translated from the Swedish."
Source: Wigström, Eva. Folkdiktning, visor, sägner, sagor, gåtor, ordspråk, ringdansar, lekar och barnvisor, samlad och upptecknad i Skåne. 1880. p. 261. "Fogel Grip."
Notes: The title literally means "The Bird Griffin."
Snowflake
Lang’s citation: "Slavonic story. Contes Populaires Slaves, traduits par Louis Leger. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
I Know What I Have Learned
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
no source found yet
The Cunning Shoemaker
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen."
The King Who Would Have a Beautiful Wife
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen."
Catherine and Her Destiny
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen von Laura Gonzenbach. Leipzig, Engelmann, 1870."
How the Hermit Helped to Win the King’s Daughter
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen"
The Water of Life
"Cuentos Populars Catalans, per lo Dr. D. Francisco de S. Maspous y Labros. Barcelona, 1885."
The Wounded Lion
Lang’s citation: "Cuentos Populars Catalans."
The Man Without a Heart
Source: A Grundtvig story, but I'm not sure which volume yet.
Another translation:
- Bay, J. Christian. Danish fairy tales : a collection of popular stories and fairy tales from the Danish of Svend Grundtvig. page 237.
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Marchen. L. Gonzenbach."
Master and Pupil
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
The Golden Lion
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen. L. Gonzenbach."
The Sprig of Rosemary
Lang’s citation: "Cuentos Populars Catalans, per lo Dr. D. Francisco de S. Maspons y Labros (Barcelona: Libreria de Don Alvar Verdaguer 1885)."
The White Dove
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #5. "Den hvide Due."
The Troll’s Daughter
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Source: Grundtvig, Sven. Danske Folkeaeventyr: Efter Utrykte Kilder. Kjøbenhaven: C. A. Reitzel. 1876. #2. "Troldens Datter."
Esben and the Witch
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish."
Princess Minon-minette
Lang’s citation: "Bibliotheque des Fees et aes Genies"
Maiden Bright-eye
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish"
The Merry Wives
Lang’s citation: "From the Danish"
King Lindorm
Lang’s citation: "From the Swedish."
Source: Wigström, Eva. Folkdiktning, visor, sägner, sagor, gåtor, ordspråk, ringdansar, lekar och barnvisor, samlad och upptecknad i Skåne. 1880. "Prins Lindorm." p. 242. English translation: Blecher, Swedish Folktales and Legends, p. 221.
The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther
Lang’s citation: "Contes populaires des Bassoutos. Recueillis et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
The Little Hare
Lang’s citation: "Contes populaires des Bassoutos. Recueillis et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, Editeur."
The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue
Lang’s citation: "From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen."
The Story of Ciccu
Lang’s citation: "From Sicilianische Mahrchen."
Don Giovanni De La Fortuna
Lang’s citation: "Sicilianische Mahrchen"
The Grey Fairy Book (1900)
"Donkey Skin"
Lang’s citation: "[From Le Cabinet des Fées.]"
Source: Peau d'Âne, a French literary fairy tale by Charles Perrault.
Notes: Lang altered the story a little to clean it up. For instance, a donkey which excretes gold is changed to a donkey who emits gold from its ears. The attempted incestuous marriage is removed; the heroine is the adopted instead of biological daughter of the king.
"The Goblin Pony"
Lang’s citation: "[From the French, Kletke.]"
"An Impossible Enchantment"
No source given.
Source: "L'Enchantement Impossible" was written by the Comte de Caylus.
Another translation:
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis.]"
"Janni and the Draken"
No source given.
"The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar"
No source given.
"Fortunatus and his Purse"
No source given.
"The Goat-faced Girl"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"What came of picking Flowers"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Portuguese.]"
"The Story of Bensurdatu"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Sicilianische Märchen.]"
"The Magician's Horse"
No source given.
"The Little Gray Man"
Lang’s citation: ["From the German, Kletke.]"
"Herr Lazarus and the Draken"
No source given.
"The Story of the Queen of the Flowery Isles"
Lang’s citation: "['Cabinet des Fées.']"
"Udea and her Seven Brothers"
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"The White Wolf"
No source given.
"Mohammed with the Magic Finger"
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"Bobino"
No source given.
"The Dog and the Sparrow"
Lang’s citation: "[From the German, Kletke.]"
"The Story of the Three Sons of Hali" and "The Story of the Fair Circassians"
Lang’s citation: "[Cabinet des Fées.]"
"The Jackal and the Spring"
Lang’s citation: "[Contes Populaires des Bassoutos; recueilli et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Bear"
No source given.
"The Sunchild"
No source given.
Source: von Hahn, Johann Georg. Griechische und albanesische Märchen, volume 1. 1864. p. 245. "Vom Sonnenkinde."
Another translation:
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"Laughing Eye and Weeping Eye, or the Limping Fox"
Lang’s citation: "(Servian story). Contes Populaires Slaves. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Ernest Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Unlooked for Prince"
Lang’s citation: "Polish story [Contes Populaires Slaves. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Simpleton"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"The Street Musicians"
Lang’s citation: "[From the German, Kletke.]"
"The Twin Brothers"
No source given.
"Cannetella"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"The Ogre"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"A Fairy's Blunder"
Lang’s citation: "[Cabinet des Fées.]"
"Long, Broad, and Quickeye"
Lang’s citation: "Bohemian story. [Contes populaires. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"Prunella"
No source given.
Source: Visentini, Isaia. Canti e racconti del popolo italiano. 1879. p. 110. "Prezzemolina."
Notes: The heroine's name in Italian means "Parsley," but Lang changed it to "Plum." This was probably to avoid confusion with "Puddocky," which has a near-identical intro with a heroine named Parsley.
"Donkey Skin"
Lang’s citation: "[From Le Cabinet des Fées.]"
Source: Peau d'Âne, a French literary fairy tale by Charles Perrault.
Notes: Lang altered the story a little to clean it up. For instance, a donkey which excretes gold is changed to a donkey who emits gold from its ears. The attempted incestuous marriage is removed; the heroine is the adopted instead of biological daughter of the king.
"The Goblin Pony"
Lang’s citation: "[From the French, Kletke.]"
"An Impossible Enchantment"
No source given.
Source: "L'Enchantement Impossible" was written by the Comte de Caylus.
Another translation:
- Planche, J. R. (trans.). Four and Twenty Fairy Tales selected from those of Perrault, and Other Popular Writers. 1858.
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis.]"
"Janni and the Draken"
No source given.
"The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar"
No source given.
"Fortunatus and his Purse"
No source given.
"The Goat-faced Girl"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"What came of picking Flowers"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Portuguese.]"
"The Story of Bensurdatu"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Sicilianische Märchen.]"
"The Magician's Horse"
No source given.
"The Little Gray Man"
Lang’s citation: ["From the German, Kletke.]"
"Herr Lazarus and the Draken"
No source given.
"The Story of the Queen of the Flowery Isles"
Lang’s citation: "['Cabinet des Fées.']"
"Udea and her Seven Brothers"
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"The White Wolf"
No source given.
"Mohammed with the Magic Finger"
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"Bobino"
No source given.
"The Dog and the Sparrow"
Lang’s citation: "[From the German, Kletke.]"
"The Story of the Three Sons of Hali" and "The Story of the Fair Circassians"
Lang’s citation: "[Cabinet des Fées.]"
"The Jackal and the Spring"
Lang’s citation: "[Contes Populaires des Bassoutos; recueilli et traduits par E. Jacottet. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Bear"
No source given.
"The Sunchild"
No source given.
Source: von Hahn, Johann Georg. Griechische und albanesische Märchen, volume 1. 1864. p. 245. "Vom Sonnenkinde."
Another translation:
- Laboulaye, Édouard. Last Fairy Tales. Trans. Mary Louise Booth. 1884. p. 316. "The Sun's Daughter."
Lang’s citation: "[Märchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis. Von Hans Stumme.]"
"Laughing Eye and Weeping Eye, or the Limping Fox"
Lang’s citation: "(Servian story). Contes Populaires Slaves. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Ernest Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Unlooked for Prince"
Lang’s citation: "Polish story [Contes Populaires Slaves. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"The Simpleton"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"The Street Musicians"
Lang’s citation: "[From the German, Kletke.]"
"The Twin Brothers"
No source given.
"Cannetella"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"The Ogre"
Lang’s citation: "[From the Italian, Kletke.]"
"A Fairy's Blunder"
Lang’s citation: "[Cabinet des Fées.]"
"Long, Broad, and Quickeye"
Lang’s citation: "Bohemian story. [Contes populaires. Traduits par Louis Léger. Paris: Leroux, éditeur.]"
"Prunella"
No source given.
Source: Visentini, Isaia. Canti e racconti del popolo italiano. 1879. p. 110. "Prezzemolina."
Notes: The heroine's name in Italian means "Parsley," but Lang changed it to "Plum." This was probably to avoid confusion with "Puddocky," which has a near-identical intro with a heroine named Parsley.
- Blog post: Prezzemolina: Rapunzel meets Cupid
