A Tale Dark and Grimm

Follows Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story and into eight more tales, encountering such wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful folk. Based in part on the Grimms’ fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hansel and Gretel, and others.he

Kou-Skelowh

This is a Collection of original legends–How Food Was Given, How Names Were Given and How Turtle Set the Animals Free–with time-honored lessons for children about the values of sharing and respect presented in a beautiful full-color format. Told in a strong, rhythmic language, the stories read aloud well and can be used to help children think about the values of sharing, self-sacrifice and reverence for life in all forms. One of the most valuable aspects of the “Kou-Skelowh series is that it was developed with Aboriginal cultural protocol. In 1981 the Okanagan Elders Council was approached and asked if some traditional legends could be used in the project. When the Elders gave permission for three legends to be used they were translated into English. The English versions were then taken back to the Elders Council for examination and edited until they were approved for educational use by Okanagan Children. Theytus was granted permission to publish the stories on the condition that no individual claim ownership of the legends.

More Glooscap Stories: Legends of the Wabanaki Indians

Eighteen traditional tales of the Wabanaki tribe from the eastern woodland include “Glooscap, the Great Chief,” “The Year Summer Was Stolen, ” and “Tomik and the Magic Mat.”

The Party for Papa Luis / La fiesta para Papa Luis

A cumulative tale in which Papa Luis’s family and friends make preparations for his birthday fiesta, complete with pinata, cake, and a clown.

The Folk Keeper

Corinna Stonewall is 15 years old and an orphan. She is also Rhysbridge Foundling Home’s Folk Keeper – a difficult and dangerous job which consists of looking after and controlling ‘the Folk’ – spiteful, maverick, savage creatures who live in the cellar and will only be prevented from spoiling the milk, terrifying the livestock and other disruptions by gifts of cream, salt pork and other luxuries. But there are many questions about Corinna. Who are her parents? Why does her hair grow two inches a night? Why does she feel drawn to the sea and long for the sweet taste of fish?

Martina Una Cucarachita Muy Linda / Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: Un Cuento Cubano / A Cuban Folktale

Carmen Agra Deedy delivers this retelling of the Cuban folkltale. Martina the beautiful cockroach doesn’t know coffee beans about love and marriage. That’s where her Cuban family comes in. While some of the Cucarachas offer her gifts to make her more attractive, only Abuela, her grandmother, gives her really useful advice.