Myths, Legends and Fables: Helping Kids Decipher the Difference
What is the difference between a myth, legend, or fable? Learning the difference can be quite tricky when you are a child learning literature in school. Tall tales, fables, fairy tales, legends, myths and folktales are sometimes used interchangeably, and that can be confusing. The children’s literature terms are described below with an example of each.
- A tall tale is a funny, exaggerated story about the life of frontiersmen in America around the 1800s. Tall tales became popular in the twentieth century. An example of a tall tale is Davy Crockett.
- A fable is a story that teaches a lesson and is usually about animals that talk and act like humans. The Tortoise and the Hare is a great example of a fable.
- A fairy tale is an oral tradition that has been passed down and told in cultures around the world involving magical characters and events. Cinderella is an example of a fairy tale.
- A legend is a particular type of folktale that is told as if it is true in a historical text. The stories take place in human history and seem to be understandable and believable. King Arthur is an example of a legend.
- A myth is a story that is passed on from one generation to another that explains how the world is the way it is. Myths also discuss how the world was created. An example of a myth is The Iliad by Homer.
- A folktale is a type of story that has been passed on from many generations that started from people who tell the stories over time and usually do not have just one author. The stories can include subjects about life, heroes, villains, and usually teach a lesson. The Arabian Nights is an example of a folktale.
The following titles are available through Hoopla and our Library’s website.
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The following are available as eBook titles to check out:
Folktales:
Aladdin and Other Favorite Arabian Nights Stories by Philip Smith
Tales From The Arabian Nights by Various Author
Stories from the Arabian Nights by Laurence Housman
Arabian Nights by Kate Douglas Wiggin
The Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang
Fairytales:
Cinderella by C. S. Evans
Cinderella by Kinuko Y. Craft
Cinderella by Nadia Higgins
A Modern Cinderella by Louisa May Alcott
Cinderella Picture Book by Walter Crane
Fables:
The Boy Who Cried Wolf & Other Aesop Fables by Leah Osei
Aesop’s Fables In Rhyme for Little Philosophers by John Martin
The Aesop for Children (Aesop’s Fables for Children) by Aesop
Aesop’s Fables with Colin Hay by Tom Graves
Aesop’s Favorite Fables by Various Authors
Legends:
Tales of King Arthur by Henry Gilbert
King Arthur by Andrew Lang
Stories of King Arthur by A. L. Haydon
King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table by Sidney Lanier
King Arthur by Philip Edwards
Myths:
Homer’s Iliad by Baby Professor
The Iliad for Boys and Girls by Alfred J. Church
The Iliad & The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by Alfred J. Church
Tall Tales:
Davy Crockett by Nancy Furstinger
Davy Crockett by Emma E. Haldy
Davy Crockett by Diana Herweck
Davy Crockett by William R. Sanford
Davy Crockett by Russell Roberts
Here a few additional resources:
Explore this collection of items: Understanding Fairy Tales Old and New on PBS Learning Media.
Watch videos about fables: Aesop’s Fables on PBS Learning Media.
Watch two folktales: Folktales of the World on PBS Learning Media.