In this genre of literature, readers will encounter various types of folklore, fable, myth, and legend. They will also come to realize that much of this folklore, fable, myth, and legend expands across cultures. For example, many cultures will tell the same tales, like Rapunzel, yet it will be suited to the elements of the story are suited to fit the culture that is telling it. This is a characteristic of this literature that has boggled the minds of anthropologists for years. The simple fact that across cultures and time that these tales have been crafted according to the needs of the culture with the same basic motifs and messages is really quite amazing. This is especially true since many cultures that have produced similar tales were isolated from each other
Tony Palazzo
Publisher: Sterling, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-40277-322-8
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book 2011
This collection of American folktales covers just about any of the oral stories relative to America. Popular characters whose tales are told are Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and even Davy Crockett. Accompanied by wonderful illustrations young readers will delight in the retelling of these classic American folktales.
Ying Chang Compestine, Illustrated by Stephanie Jorisch
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-525-47493-7
Grades: K-3
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book 2007, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2007
One of my favorite stories when I was little, Compestine retells this Chinese folktale. When three fishermen come up with creative ways to make soup. Eventually they convince their boss that what gives the soup the best flavor are the river stones used to cook it. Young readers will be entertained by the contrast between text and illustrations in this work, as what is said in the text is contradicted by what readers see in the illustrations, adding to the story.
Leah Sharp, Illustrated by Jane Marinsky
Publisher: David R. Godine, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-56792-393-3
Grades: 3-6
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book 2010, Kirkus Review 2009
Isabella is beautiful but lazy. Her lizard/sorceress mother gives her the head of a goat when she accepts a wedding proposal from the lazy Prince Rupert. When Rupert realizes that the goat head just doesn't do it for him, he sends her off to do several tasks on her own. Isabella's mother provides her with all that she needs to compete these tasks, but she does them on her own. Soon, Isabella learns she enjoys doing things for herself, is given her beautiful face back, and gets rid of Rupert. Readers will be drawn to the engaging illustrations and the various fairy tale references that add a sense of modernism to this Italian tale.
Sarah Gibb
Publisher: Albert Whitman, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8075-6804-0
Grades: 3-6
Awards/Reviews: Publisher's Weekly 2011, School Library Journal 2011
Readers will find this retelling of the German folktale about a girl with long hair who is locked in a tower one that they will want to read again and again. While the story itself is simple and true to the traditional tale, what makes this work unique are the illustrations. Gibb uses a combination of collage and black and white silhouettes accented by color. This is a traditional tale all will love, especially since the release of the film Tangled.
Red Riding Hood: The Graphic Novel*Martin Powell, Illustrated by Victor Rivas
Publisher: Stone Arch Books, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-43420-769-2
Grades: 5-8
Awards: N/A
Powell retells the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood in this very accessible rendition of the tale for those readers who are interested in comic books. While the story is quite close to the one readers were probably used to their mothers telling them, what makes this selection unique are its illustrations, which are reminiscent of the images seen in Tim Burton films. The only thing that could make this retelling of the tale better is if it were printed on higher quality paper and if the images themselves were a bit brighter, though the story's mood is clearly communicated in them.
Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Publisher: Holt, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7953-1
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book Starred 2008, Kirkus Review Starred 2007
Children reading this book will be able to experience a variety of Cinderella stories. The text covers various renditions of Cinderella based on Mexican, Iranian, Korean, Appalachian, and other folklore traditions. This selection provides an excellent way for readers to see the way the same tale can be told multiple ways across different cultures.
Heather Forest; Illustrated by Susan Gaber
Publisher: August House Little Folk, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-87483-832-9
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book 2008
A unique retelling of Aesop's fable that teaches children that you can catch motivate people by being nice versus being mean. The bright expressionistic illustrations help to captivate the contrast in how the wind deals with getting his way and how the sun does. Children will enjoy not only hearing the story read, but experiencing the action of the text in what they see.
Jerry Pinkey
Publisher: Little Brown Books, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-316-01356-7
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book Starred 2009, Caldecott Medal Honor 2010, Children's Book of the Year (Under 5) 2010
This nearly wordless book tells Aesop's fable of the lion and the mouse through vivid and enticing pictures. The story tells of a lion who spares the life of a mouse only to have the favor repaid when the lion ends up in a hunter's trap. Readers are able to view, interpret, and discuss the story as it happens in beautiful artwork.
Koko Nishizuka; Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger
Publisher: Holiday House, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2051-3
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book 2009
The Beckoning Cat retells the Japanese folktale of a boy who helps out a hungry cat. In return, the cat is able to help the boy sell his fish out of his home so that he can continue to take care of his father. In the end, readers are informed of the significance of the white cat in Japanese culture and how it is placed in shops to beckon customers to purchase goods from them.
Nicky Raven, Illustrated by John Howe
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3647-0
Grades: 5-8
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book 2008, Booklist Starred 2007
In this retelling of the oldest piece known piece of English literature, Beowulf takes on Grendal and his mother in an attempt to save the lives of Denmark's greatest warriors. With beautiful illustrations, this is one of the finest renditions of this tale told. A perfect selection for those who are interested in mythology and battles with evil monsters and dragons.
Anthony Horowitz, Illustrated by Thomas Yeates
Publisher: Kingfisher, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7534-1937-3
Grades: 5-8
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book 2010
A collection of various myths, legends, and gods from different cultures. Readers of this selection will encounter the oral traditions of Greece, China, Rome, and others. The nice thing about this book is that readers will be able to see the parallels between many of these stories across different cultures.
Anne Shelby, Illustrations by Paula McArdle
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8078-3163-2
Grades: 5-8
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book 2008, Kirkus Review 2007
In this collection of folklore, readers will encounter the adventures of Molly Whuppie. Instead of focusing on many of the male-dominated heroes out there, this collection shows how women can be just as powerful and courageous as men, something essential to communicate to many of today's young girls. The collection includes tales where Molly confronts an ogre, slays a giant, amongst others. The tales themselves are native to that Appalachian region.
Ping Wang; Illustrated by Tang Ge
Publisher: Millbrook Press, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8225-6744-8
Grades: K-3
Awards: Horn Book 2008, Library Media Connection 2008, Multicultural Review 2008
This folktale, rooted in Chinese culture, tells the story of the Yellow Emperor, a four-headed dragon, and Chi You, a black dragon. The story itself is divided into four short chapters and recounts the battles between the two dragons. Readers will also appreciate the rich imagery within the story's text and its illustrations.
Anthony Browne
Publisher: Farrar and Strauss, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-374-34908-0
Grades: K-3
Awards/Reviews: Horn Book Starred 2010, School Library Journal Starred 2010, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2010, CCBC Choice 2011
A new exploration of the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" tale. Browne creatively demonstrates the many ways that a tale can be told and interpreted. Each two page spread as baby bear telling one side of the story on one page, and a blonde-haired Goldilocks on the other. The story shows the juxtaposition of how two different family styles can result in different outcomes, as Baby Bear has very involved parents and Goldilocks is a product of a bleak urban landscape. While readable by those in K-3, this title really invites more advanced discussion for students in grades 3-6.
Fawzia Gilani, Illustrated by Proiti Roy
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5629-2
Grades: K-3
Awards/Review: Horn Book 2010, Kirkus Review 2010
This Trukish folktale tells of a shoemaker who at Eid, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, buys gifts for his mother, wife, and daughter. He also buys a new pair of pants for himself; however, they are four fingers too long. With everyone so busy with preparations for the holiday, Nabeel shortens them himself. Then his mother does the same. Then his wife does it for him, and finally his daughter, too. When he arrives at the celebration his pants are too short. The text also teaches Arabic words and about the Islam faith, so, while it is recommended for K-3, it is appropriate for discussions on world religions in 3-6.
Publisher: Holt, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8668-3
Grades: 3-6
Awards: Horn Book 2010
Sol and Connie's parents mysteriously pack their things and force their family to a new town. Little did they know that the town has a history and that one of their neighbors is the witch from the days of Hansel and Gretel. The brother and sister duo quickly set out to discover the truth about their neighbor, Fay Holadarry, and Sol soon needs to figure how out to save Connie before she becomes the witch's next meal. This book will entertain those who had a love for Hansel and Gretel in the past, as well as teach the basics of the familiar tale to a new generation of readers.