Traditional Literature Folktales Fairy tales Fables Myths Legends Tall Tales
Traditional LiteratureFolktales
Fairy talesFablesMyths
LegendsTall Tales
Traditional Literature
*Passed down orally from one generation to the next
*At some point, it was written down *Every culture has these stories
Folktales
*giants, witches, magic, ogres
*involves a task
Folktales
Examples:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Three Little Pigs
Fairy tales
• Magic and wonder (like wow!)
Fairy tales
Examples:
Cinderella
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Fables
Animal stories that teach a lesson.
Fables
Examples:
Little Red Hen
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Myths
• Explain how the world began• Explain things in nature• Stories about gods and
supernatural beings• Called “why stories”
Myths
Examples:
Greek myths such as Hercules
How the Rabbit Got a Short Tail
Legends
*Often based on historical figures- sometimes saints
*Based in truth, but with some exaggeration
*Told to showcase a particular virtue
Legends
Examples:
Robin Hood
Sir Lancelot
Tall Tales
• Larger than life characters
• Based on lies and exaggerations
Tall Tales
Examples:
Daniel BooneJohnny AppleseedJohn Henry