In the world of young adult literature which I sometimes inhabit (see my "fascinating" novel 'Cape Town') there's a trend towards the rewriting of popular fairy tales such as Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood. The idea is that the female protagonist has to be more empowered so that she can win through. Around this floats a kind of opposite idea, that many of Grimm's folk tales are more like horror stories.
The thing is, these old stories are not meant to be taken literally. Many of them depict, metaphorically, the journey of the soul. Just think how often they begin with a young girl exiled having lost her true mother, or a young princess having to leave her home.
This is why they speak in a figurative way to young children. It's not so long since they left their true homes, to come to earth and find their way through the forest, to reach the castle and/or discover treasure.
No, they're not for the very young, although I suppose you could read 'The Sweet Porridge' to a three and a half year old, say. In any case, whenever you read or, better still, tell the story yourself, this should be done without dramatization or using your normal reading-out-loud skills. A quiet, matter-of-fact voice is best because actually you don't want to stir up emotion. You simply want the imaginative pictures to speak for themselves.
Use your discretion though. Some of the stories are better suited to six and seven year olds. For instance, Sleeping Beauty, which is really a resurrection story isn't it? The marriage with the prince signifies the soul's union with the spirit. And that's why 'happily ever after' can be so satisfying and soul-nourishing for children.
