Snow White Through the Ages: How the Classic Fairy Tale Has Changed

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Hey Friends,

I wanted to send all of you scrappers, a bonus Free Printable (scroll down) this month in honor of one of my favorite Fairytales- Snow White. As you may or may-not know, Snow White was re-released as a live action film this past weekend. There is a lot of controversy around it and it got me thinking about what Fairytales are, how they come to be and how/why they change through time. I wrote an essay with some fun facts that I’d like to share with you. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts about it, just remember to be nice, and come to the conversation with goodwill. So let’s get going…

Snow White: A Tale as Old as Time... and as Confusing as a Game of Telephone

Ah, Snow White. The fairest of them all. The apple enthusiast. The woodland Airbnb squatter. Our girl has been through many transformations over the years, from a 1937 Disney darling to the subject of yet another live-action remake, complete with... creative choices. Let’s just say that this isn’t the first time her story has been rewritten, and it won’t be the last.

You see, Snow White is basically the fairy tale equivalent of a game of Telephone. What started as one story has been retold, reinterpreted, and occasionally sanitized to the point where we’re not even sure what’s original anymore. And if you think Disney changed things the first time around, just wait until you hear what the Grimm Brothers originally wrote.

The Grimm Reality of Snow White

Forget Prince Charming waking her up with true love’s kiss—in the 1812 Grimm Brothers’ version, there’s no romantic CPR involved. Instead, Snow White’s glass coffin gets jostled during transport, dislodging the poisoned apple from her throat. Imagine waking up in a coffin on wheels, surrounded by strange men, with no recollection of how you got there. Terrifying? Yes. But at least it’s medically plausible.

And as for the Evil Queen? Let’s just say she didn’t just “fall off a cliff” like in Disney’s version. No, in the original tale, she’s forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes until she dies. Because nothing says “happily ever after” like a medieval torture dance-off.

Disney, of course, cleaned things up a bit. No scalding footwear. No traumatizing coffin jostling. Instead, we got adorable dwarfs, a singalong work ethic, and the whole true love’s kiss trope. And now, here we are in the 2020s, witnessing yet another reinterpretation of this tale, proving once again that fictional stories evolve over time to reflect new perspectives, audiences, and—let’s be honest—studio executives' latest whims.

Why Do We Change Stories?

Because we’re human. And humans tell stories that reflect their times. A few hundred years ago, fairy tales were packed with nightmare fuel—gruesome lessons meant to scare kids into obedience. Today, we prefer stories that entertain, uplift, and, sometimes, push boundaries. And that’s okay! Fiction is meant to be retold, reshaped, and reinvented.

But let’s not forget: history happened. The Grimm Brothers wrote horror-core fairy tales because their world was horrific. And if we erase those older, darker stories completely, we risk losing an understanding of the past. Humans have done terrible things, and they’ve told terrible stories about them. Knowing them isn’t about glorifying them—it’s about learning from them so we don’t repeat history.

A Celebration of Fairy Tales

At the end of the day, stories like Snow White endure because they are living stories. They shift and change, yet they remain a reflection of who we are. Whether it’s a Grimm nightmare, a Disney musical, or a modern take that ruffles a few feathers, these stories belong to all of us. They inspire art, creativity, and endless debates about whether or not the dwarfs should even be in the movie.

So, let’s celebrate the folklore, the fairy tales, the myths, and the legends. If you are looking for a Snow White Journal, I got you covered HERE. And if you’d like to bring a little Snow White magic into your own creations, here’s a downloadable image set of vintage Snow White illustrations for you to use in your journals, scrapbooks, charm making, or whatever wicked crafts you have planned. I used this printable to make a journal charm including the bookmark and “mini goldenbook” charm… I’d love to see what you make.

P.S. And before you go down another rabbit hole—yes, there’s another Snow White story out there: Snow White and Rose Red. And no, she’s not the same Snow White. That’s a different tale entirely. Fairy tales are chaotic, and we love them for it.

Snowhiteprintable

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Snow White Printable for Crafting fun.

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Housekeeping & Events

Next week I’m announcing our NEW Monthly Theme. For those that are monthly subscribers, happy mail and member only projects will start next month. Please join us!

SHOP Find all of your Vintage Snow White Journals HERE

March 26- Come hang Out With Me IN PERSON at the Spring Market at Faction Brewing Company on March 29 from 1-6pm. The Beer is good, the view is great, and the handmade shopping is fabulous!

Thanks for journaling with me!

Now Let’s make cool shit. 🔥✂️📖

Xoxo

Alyson