Grimm's Fairy Tales (originally Kinder-undHausmarchen) is the classic 19th-century collection of German folk stories gathered and published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, known collectively as the Brother's Grimm. First released in 1812 and expanded over many editions, it remains one of the most influential works in world folklore. This collection preserves traditional European tales that were originally passed down orally. Many of the stories are far darker, stranger, and more morally complex than the softened versions popularized later by children's books and films. The Grimm brothers aimed to document authentic folk culture, capturing the rhythms, fears, and values of rural life.