Long before written language was invented, people told stories to each other to pass on history and tradition, or just for entertainment. Now that we have books, we can keep these stories alive and make them available to anyone who goes to a library or bookstore. Viktor Andonov has taken it one step further and set up his www.WorldOfTales.com website to make sure that children and adults just need an internet connection to be able to access and read these timeless tales, so that the stories from the past can be enjoyed long into the future.

7S: Folktales and stories are an important part of cultures around the world. Do you find that many countries have similar stories, or are they different in different locations?

VA: Folktales are an irreplaceable part of people’s lives for thousands of years. Even though most of the stories are quite diverse, people who share common cultural marks have similar stories. When people set out to explore the world, their folklore mixed with the folklore of the natives they found. That’s why one might find similarities between South American folktales and European folktales. But, there are also similarities that have no common origin – a reminder that we are all different, and yet somehow the same.

7S: You were born and raised in Bulgaria; what are the stories that you remember from your childhood?

VA: I enjoyed reading folktales as a child. They told stories of magic, far away lands, heroic actions, talking animals and beasts. When I think about my favorite stories, three things come to mind. The first is a book with Bulgarian folktales. The second is a very interesting book titled “Bengal folktales”. The third is a fairy tale that made a lasting impression in my mind – Bluebeard by Charles Perrault. Maybe because I was a boy, and that story was a little scary.

7S: How do folk tales and fairy tales help children learn to love reading?

VA: Well, the short answer is imagination. Childhood is the time when our brains make all these tiny connections. Folktales and fairy tales are interesting – they make children wonder, awe, and think about so many things in this very important age for their development. A nurtured love for folktales will be carried over to other books as children get older.

7S: You mention the importance of parents reading aloud to children, and we agree that a parent’s influence has a lot to do with helping a child improve reading skills and enjoy books. How can parents use your website to read with their kids?

VA: Yes, parents should read with their children. One of the ways a child learns is by asking questions. Parents who enjoy reading with their children can teach them all the values folktales present in a safe, natural setting. My website offers a lot of stories ready for reading. You can always read with your child next to the PC/laptop/tablet, etc., print a story you have chosen, or even read together over the phone.

7S: Your site has stories from Japan, France, Italy, Norway, India, and many other countries. If someone would like to share a story from their own childhood with your site, can they do that?

VA: Yes, there is a users folktales section on my website. Everyone can send me their favorite stories.