The Tales of Mother Goose

As First Collected by Charles Perrault in 1696

Introduction by M. V. O'Shea · Illustrated by Gustave Doré · Illustrated by D. J. Munro · Translated by Charles Welsh

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"The Tales of Mother Goose" by Charles Perrault is a collection of literary fairy tales published in 1697. Written for aristocratic audiences in Parisian literary salons, this work transformed simple folk plots into elaborate stories suited for French court tastes. The collection includes eight now-classic tales, each concluding with a cynical moral. Perrault crafted these stories after retiring from royal service, blending ancient narratives with modern sensibilities while reflecting themes of nobility, class distinction, and Catholic values that resonated with his sophisticated readers.

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