Audiobook · read by volunteers
Frog Prince and Other Stories
Walter Crane (1845–1915)
Read by Laurie Anne Walden · 3 chapters · 33 min
About the book
Three fairy tales with happy endings are gathered here in a small book illustrated, in its original edition, by Walter Crane. The first tells of a frog who is not what he seems, and of the princess who must learn what a promise means. The second follows a princess named Belle-Etoile, her brothers, and a wicked plot that threatens them all. The third is the story of Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, with the genie who obeys whoever holds it. The stories keep their magic and suspense in the plain, clear language of a children's picture book. Three sections, read by a single volunteer, last about thirty-five minutes. They make an ideal short treat for children at bedtime, and a pleasant sample of the classic fairy tale tradition for older listeners.
Introduction
Walter Crane, who lived from 1845 to 1915, was an English artist and illustrator, and one of the most important figures in the field of children's picture books in the Victorian period. His colourful toy books, produced with the printer Edmund Evans, set a new standard for illustration. This collection dates from 1874.
The book belongs to a tradition of fairy tale collections for children that flourished in the nineteenth century. The stories come from different sources: the frog prince is a European folk tale, Belle-Etoile comes from the French literary fairy tale tradition and Aladdin belongs to the Arabian Nights. In the original publication, Crane's pictures were an essential part of the experience.
The LibriVox recording has three sections, named after the tales: Frog Prince, Princess Belle-Etoile and Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. It lasts about half an hour and is read by one volunteer. Told aloud, these narratives have the sound of the nursery, and listeners can imagine the pictures for themselves. It is a short, charming introduction to classic fairy stories. Because the stories are so well known, listeners can enjoy comparing this version with others they have met, noticing which details are kept and which are changed. The recording is short, which makes it easy to fit into a busy day, and the clear storytelling keeps the attention of even very young listeners. Taken together, the three tales show how different traditions of wonder can share a single small book.
Public domain
Walter Crane died in 1915: the work is in the public domain in Switzerland, more than 70 years after the author’s death.
The LibriVox volunteers dedicated this recording to the public domain.
Sources : LibriVox page · Files at the Internet Archive · Original text