Theme: stepmother

The Orphan

By Book Importer | Published: January 18, 2012

Once upon a time in Greece, fate left a young girl an orphan. Her stepmother was so hateful that she counted every drop of water the orphan drank! But with the help of Nature’s blessings, the orphan was showered with gifts: brilliance from the Sun, beauty from the Moon, gracefulness from the Dawn—and even a [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Folklore, Greece, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Lunatic’s Curse

By Book Importer | Published: September 26, 2011

The town of Oppum Oppidulum is home to the freezing Lake Beluarum and its rumored monster. On an island at the center of the lake is an asylum; no one has ever escaped it. So how will Rex, whose father, Ambrose Grammaticus, has been imprisoned there under false pretenses, prove that Ambrose is not insane? [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Fantasy, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Sisters . . . No Way!

By Book Importer | Published: September 7, 2011

Cindy, a savvy yet cynical teenager, still traumatized by her mother’s recent death, is appalled when her father falls in love with one of her teachers, a woman with two teenage daughters of her own. She cannot imagine a worse fate than having her teacher as her stepmother, and as for the two prissy girls, [...]

Descriptors: Intermediate (ages 9-14), Ireland, Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Chickerella

By Book Importer | Published: June 25, 2011

When Chickerella’s new step mother and step sisters, Ovumelda and Cholestera, move in, life in the chicken coop takes a turn for the worst. Forced to cook and clean for her new family, Chickerells won’t even be able to attend the Fowl Ball, that is, until her Fairy Goosemother appears. The unusually stylish Chickerella dazzles [...]

Descriptors: Americas, Canada, Folklore, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Chinye: A West African Folk Tale

By Book Importer | Published: June 14, 2011

Poor Chinye! Back and forth through the dark forest she goes, fetching and carrying for her cruel stepmother and lazy stepsister. Terror lurks behind every tree, and ghostly figures cross her path–but strange powers are watching over her, and waiting somewhere in the moonlight is a hut piled high with magic gourds.

Descriptors: Africa, Folklore, Nigeria, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Wild Swans

By Book Importer | Published: June 9, 2011

Eleven brothers, turned into wild swans by an evil stepmother, are saved by the sacrifices of their beautiful sister, Elise.

Descriptors: Denmark, Europe, Fantasy, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Marushka and the Month Brother

By Book Importer | Published: May 5, 2011

A retelling of the Slavic folktale in which the Month Brothers’ magic helps Marushka fulfill seemingly impossible tasks which prove the undoing of her greedy stepmother and stepsister.

Descriptors: Czech Republic, Europe, Folklore, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Picture Book, Slovakia » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave

By Book Importer | Published: May 5, 2011

A retelling of the old Russian fairy tale in which beautiful Vasilisa uses the help of her doll to escape from the clutches of the witch Baba Yaga, who in turn sets in motion the events which lead to the once ill-treated girl’s marrying the tzar.

Descriptors: Folklore, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Russia » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Pulling The Lion’s Tail

By Book Importer | Published: May 3, 2011

Her grandfather finds a clever way to help an impatient young Ethiopian girl get to know her father’s new wife.

Descriptors: Africa, Database, Ethiopia, Folklore, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Baba Yaga and the Little Girl

By Book Importer | Published: April 5, 2011

When she is sent by her cruel stepmother to the fearsome Baba Yaga, a clever young girl uses kindness to make her escape.

Descriptors: Folklore, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Picture Book, Russia » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment