Fractured fairy tales are one of my and my children's favorite genres of picture books. Old familiar tales are reworked in some way to change the classic tale. They may be modernized, have alternate endings, or take a different point of view of the conflict in the tale. What I love about these books is that they use familiar stories, and those familiar tales are a great support for children not ready to create a whole story yet but who still have the ability to tell a story. Need some examples? Here are some great fractured fairy tales to check out before jumping into an activity.
Here are three ways you can explore fractured fairy tales and boost storytelling. Children will dive deeper into the tales themselves in order to decide what to fracture and rebuild.
Bedtime Reading Exploration
Grab a great fractured fairy tale like Goldilocks and The Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems and read it with your child. Then read a regular fairy tale they are very familiar with like Chicken Little or The Three Little Pigs. After reading it, ask your child what he would do to fracture it. Encourage him to tell you the story. Let wild ideas fly, and don't interrupt his storytelling. Take a turn, too!
One-on-One With a Parent
Read a fractured fairy tale together and then ask, "How would you change the ending?" Write a new ending together. If your child prefers to tell stories through illustration, make a comic book version of the fairy tale and alternate ending with her. These activities shouldn't feel like homework, so giving kids options and creative freedom is important. The big lessons won't be lost.
Family Night
Read a traditional fairy tale together. Then, depending on the size of your family, either all work together to create a fractured version to act out or split into groups to take turns acting them out. There will be giggling but there will be learning as well. Have fun with books and reading, and your kids will, too!
What's your favorite fractured fairy tale? Tell us on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page!
