D. L. Ashliman

This book is basically a bibliographical index lisitng both the Aarne-Thompson Classification System, as well as a detailed record of English-language folktale examples for each of the classification types. In the introduction, author D.L. Ashliman states that the first aim of A Guide to Folktales in the English Language: Based on the Aarne-Thompson Classification System is to help readers find reliable texts of any given folktale type, both familiar and less familiar variants, and the book has certainly achieved this aim. And although the index does not list all stories by title, it is quite extensive and a great starting point for further folktale and fairy tale research (the sections on secondary literature and primary folktale collections are an added bonus and equally substantial). I only wish that the author had also included specific children's collections of fairy and folktales, as well as some of the many picture book adaptations of the former in his otherwise extensive lists (it would certainly make it easier to classify picture book variants of folk and fairy tales by the Aarne-Thompson Classification System). Also, it should be noted that since this book was published in 1987, secondary literature and primary texts published post 1987 will, unfortunately, not be included.… (mais)