The traditions of Western fairy tales and African oral storytelling are beautifully combined with bold and colorful illustrations in a collection of stories that celebrate the ingenuity and compassion of four young heroines.
Folklore and Fairy Tales
The Man Who Knew Too Much: A Moral Tale from the Baila of Zambia
A husband does not believe it when his wife tells him that their crying baby is comforted by a huge eagle who flies down with its sharp talons and alights on the baby.
The Royal Drum: An Ashanti Tale
A read-aloud rebus treasure from the Ashanti in Ghana. Who is the laziest animal of all? All the animals gather together to help make a drum for the king of the jungle, but Anansi makes certain that Monkey ends up with the hardest job of all.
Nabulela: A South African Folk Tale
When the village girls cruelly trick the daughter of their king, he will forgive them only if they kill Nabulela, a treacherous white-skinned monster. A tale of the Nguni people
Anansi
Two Jamaican folk tales in which Anansi the spider practices his trickery on others. Includes an audio cassette featuring narration and music.
Shadow Dance
When the crocodile she has rescued tricks her, little Salome must use some cunning of her own to escape becoming his next meal.
Song Bird
An adaptation of a folktale from southern Africa, in which a magical bird helps a kind young girl get back her people’s stolen cattle from Makucha the monster.
Imani in the Belly
Imani’s faith helps her save herself and her children from the belly of the King of Beasts.
Rhinos for Lunch and Elephants for Supper!
A variety of animals try to help a hare get rid of the mysterious intruder who has taken over her house.
Tales from the African Plains: 9
A collection of folktales from Kenya and other parts of Africa, including “The Crocodile, The Boy and The Kind Deed,” “Why The Moon Comes Out at Night,” and “Wacu and The Eagle.”