The magical world of fairy tales, with princesses, stepmothers, enchanted forests, wise kings, dwarfs, and witches, has always been an integral part of childhood.

Dr. Bettelheim wrote this book to help adults understand the indispensable significance of fairy tales.

By revealing their true content, he illustrates how these stories can be useful for children, helping them navigate their difficult emotional situations, anxieties, and fears of the outside world that surrounds them.

By choosing the most well-known fairy tales, the famous American child psychologist uncovers the mechanisms that operate, consciously or unconsciously, to support and ultimately liberate the child.