Folklore and Fairy Tales

The Day the Rains Fell

At the beginning of time a goddess descends to Earth and finds that parts of the land are dry, the plants are wilting, and the animals are thirsty, for even when it rains on the parched surface, the water just runs off. The goddess is inspired to make enormous pots of clay which she pushes into the earth to collect the rainwater so the animals can drink. While she works, her daughter collects bits of leftover clay and makes a necklace. Once the pots are in place, the animals show their gratitude by adding colors to the dull beads of the necklace—the flamingo gives its bright pink, the zebra its stripes, and the ant the deep red of the earth inside its anthill. Featuring beautiful watercolor illustrations and a page of information about traditional African pots and beads, this book also includes activities for children to do on their own.

How The Whale Became

Long ago when the world was brand new, before animals or birds, the sun rose into the sky and brought the first day. To begin with, all the creatures were pretty much alike – very different from what they are now. Those that wanted to be lions practised being lions. But there were other creatures – including the whale, the elephant, the cat and the donkey – that came about in different ways.

Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth

Ganesha is just like any thoer kid, except that he has the head of an elephant and rides around on a magical mouse.  And he love sweets, especially the traditional dessert laddoo. When Ganesha insists on biting into a super jumbo jawbreaker laddoo, his tusk breaks off!  Ganesha is terribly upset, but with the help of the wise post Vyasa, he learns that what seems broken can actually be quite useful after all. The bold, bright colors of India leap right off the page in this fresh and funny picture book adaptation of how Ganesha came to write the epic poem of Hindu literature, the Mahabharate. 

The Churki-Burki Book Of Rhyme

Meet Churko and burki, the rhyming sister, and spend a day with them in their billage, playing and singing songs.  Adapted from the Gond arist Durga Bai’s rendering of her own childhood in her village Paranghr, this is a merry tale of fun and rhyme.

The Little Brown Jay: A Tale From India

Kindness and helping others often bring unexpected rewards.  Meet Princess Maya and the little brown jay in this magical folktale from India, and find out how unselfish acts bring great joy.

 

Guan Yu: Blood Brothers To The End

Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese warrior, fights side by side with his blood brothers Liu Bei and Zhang Fei to squash the menacing Yellow Scarves. He defends his country and his honor, but his troubles are just beginning. All over China, opponents post grave challenges, each one more trying than the last. Will Guan Yu prevail against the forces that threaten him?  Or will the obstacles prove too much for even the brave warrior?

Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales

For young and old alike — 8 captivating tales filled with whimsy, charm, and magic: “The Fate of the Children of Lir,” “The Shepherd of Middvai,” “Beth Gellert,” “The Tale of Ivan,” “Morraha,” “The Story of Deirdre,” “The Llanfabon Changeling,” and “The Sea-Maiden.” Reset in large, easy-to-read type.

The Story of Little Red Riding Hood

From the Caldecott Honor illustrator of Casey at the Bat comes a rich and exquisitely crafted edition of one of the best-known tales by the Brothers Grimm. Christopher Bing captures the light and darkness, as well as the deep emotional core, of the story of an innocent girl and the wolf who would devour her in this most magnificent and definitive version of the tale.