The enchanting world of fairy novellas, while sometimes penned by men, was predominantly shaped by women writers. These narratives, akin to Perrault’s Fairy Tales, were initially intended to be shared audibly, echoing the age-old tradition of folktales. These stories often revolved around familiar scenarios, like the plight of a beautiful maiden coerced into an unwanted marriage. Authors deftly wove these common themes with other imaginative elements, producing tales that could captivate listeners for extended periods. Once confined to oral transmission, many of these stories were eventually published, either as standalone books or as part of larger collections.

The published narratives reveal that storytellers frequently used their tales to discreetly flatter friends or comment on contemporary events through subtle references. Beyond these nuanced commentaries, the primary aim of these writers was to entertain through wit, satire, and graceful prose. Among these creative voices, Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy emerged as a prominent figure. Her works, such as Contes de Fées (1690) and Les Fées à la mode (1695), collectively translated as Fairy Tales by the Countess d’Aulnoy (1856), remain cherished in French literature and occasionally find their way into English retellings for young audiences. Her tales "The White Cat" and "The Yellow Dwarf" enjoyed widespread popularity in the nineteenth century and are enduring examples of her craft.

Charles Perrault, a contemporary of d’Aulnoy, used her works as a springboard for his own literary endeavors, embedding philosophical reflections on human nature within his narratives. He was also influenced by Jean de La Fontaine, an older contemporary whose fables, written between 1668 and 1695, aimed to captivate young readers while offering deeper insights to adults. Perrault adopted La Fontaine’s straightforward language and concise storytelling to develop the fairy tale, or nursery tale, as a distinct genre.

The legacy of Perrault’s ethically driven fairy tales inspired subsequent writers, such as Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, a moralist and educator. She is best known for her adaptation of Suzanne-Gabrielle de Villeneuve’s adult fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" into a version more suitable for children. This adaptation has become a timeless classic, continuing to enchant audiences with its moral themes and enduring romance.