Genre: Folklore

Folklore genre

The Rooster who went to his uncle’s wedding

Rooster, en route to his uncle’s wedding, struggles with the dilemma of whether he should risk of getting dirty in order to obtain a kernel of corn. His hunger overcomes his better judgment and, of course, he winds up “. . . with a beak full of mud.” This leads into a cumulative tale that [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Preschool, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

El cumpleaños del San Pedrito

Description in Spanish: Es el cumpleaños del San Pedrito y todos en el bosque se ponen de acuerdo para organizarle una fiesta. La alegría se siente en todas las ramas de los árboles; hay música y comida. Pero llega el guaraguao y trata de arruinarlo todo. Sin embargo, la fiesta sigue porque el valiente pitirre [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Primary (Gr. K-3), Puerto Rico » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

La Diablesse and the Baby

Winner of both the Alcuin Society Design Award and the Storytelling World Honor Award, this is the eerie and colorful tale of the legendary creature–half human, half demon–that roams the Caribbean night, and how a brave Grandma outwits it.
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Secret Footprints

The Dominican legend of the ciguapas, creatures who lived in underwater caves and whose feet were on backward so that humans couldn’t follow their footprints, is reinvented by renowned author Julia Alvarez. Although the ciguapas fear humans, Guapa, a bold and brave ciguapa, can’t help but be curious–especially about a boy she sees on the [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Atariba and Niguayona: A story from the Taino People of Puerto Rico (Tales Of The Americas.) (Spanish Edition)

A Taino Indian legend about a young boy and his search for the healing caimoni tree.
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Primary (Gr. K-3), Puerto Rico » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Tukama Tootles The Flute

When Tukama is captured by a two-headed giant and held prisoner by the giant’s wife, he uses his flute to escape.
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Doctor Bird: Three Lookin’ Up Tales From Jamaica

Doctor Bird is one smart hummingbird! When he sees Mongoose stealing food, he drops a weather goofball on her house and really teaches that thief a lesson. When Mouse’s home is destroyed by a storm, Doctor Bird teaches him to keep his head up. And when Owl plans to crash a party dressed like Doctor [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Jamaica, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

La Flor de Oro: Un Mito Taino de Puerto Rico (Spanish Edition)

Nina Jaffe’s acclaimed retelling of an indigenous creation myth about the birth of Puerto Rico, The Golden Flower, is available for the first time in Spanish. Her account of the Taíno’s legend draws the reader to the island before the Spaniards arrived. The Taínos called their beloved island, Boriquén. This is their story of how [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Puerto Rico » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Samurai’s Daughter

A Japanese folk tale about the brave daughter of a samurai warrior and her journey to be reunited with her exiled father. When Tokoyo’s father, a samurai nobleman, is sent into exile on a lonely island in a distant sea, his young daughter is determined to join him. Despite her noble birth, Tokoyo has spent [...]
Other Descriptors: Japan, Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Please, Malese! A Trickster Tale from Haiti

Without a penny to his name, Malese takes advantage of his neighbors using his tricky ways, until they catch on, after which he manages to pull an even bigger trick on them.
Other Descriptors: Americas, Caribbean, Haiti, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment
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