Andrew Lang (1844–1912) in collaboration with his wife Leonora Blanche Alleyne (1851-1933) published The Blue Fairy Book in 1889 and it was to become the first of a series of twenty five collections of fantastical tales from around the world, ending with "The Strange Story Book" published in 1923.

In this first collection we find many of the traditional favourites from the "Fairy Tale" world, including amongst others "Goldilocks", "Sleeping Beauty", "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", Tom Thumb" "Rumpelstiltskin" and "Jack the Giant Killer". While many of these have some vestige of the narrative we may be accustomed to through many sanitised adaptations, there are many surprises!

The telling of these stories in the "Blue Fairy Book" are by no means the cosy bedtime stories we might expect. You will search in vain for the three friendly bears in "Goldilocks", or the accommodating dwarves in" Snow-white". There is no attempt to soften the edges or the expunge the blood thirsty fates that befall may of the unfortunate characters.

Head Stories Audio presents " The Blue Fairy Book", narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.