What is the difference between Fairy Tales and Folktales?
Folktales:
- Folktales are an oral tradition with no accredited author
- Characters are generally animals acting with human characteristics and talking
- Folktales are rooted more in human scenarios, instead of magic, to relay a moral
- Folktales were originally written to have wider appeal
Fairy Tales:
- Fairy tales are written folktales credited to an author
- Characters include mythical and otherworldly creatures
- Fairy tales are rooted in magic, with mythical scenarios
- Fairy tales were originally written for aristocratic audiences
Source:
MasterClass, 2020. Fairy Tales vs. Folktales: What’s the Difference? Plus Fairy Tale Writing Prompts. MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fairy-tales-vs-folktales-whats-the-difference-plus-fairy-tale-writing-prompts#where-do-fairy-tales-come-from
Folk/Fairy Tale Resources
Pinterest Board: Multicultural Fairy Tales and Folktales
Brightly: 21 Multicultural Fairy Tales