Join Mrs. Smith as she explores a variety of books about Folk and Fairy Tales!
Ask the Bones by
A collection of scary folktales from countries around the world including China, Russia, Spain, and the United States.
The Wild Swans by
A new edition of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and translated by Naomi Lewis for the bicentennial of Andersen's birth, "The Wild Swans is the soulful story of a young girl searching for her lost brothers. Upon discovering they have been turned into swans, she sets off on a difficult journey, enduring many hardships in the quest to return her brothers to their human form.
Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm by
#1 New York Times bestseller Philip Pullman retells the world's best-loved fairy tales on their 200th anniversary Two centuries ago, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of Children's and Household Tales. Now Philip Pullman, one of the most accomplished authors of our time, makes us fall in love all over again with the immortal tales of the Brothers Grimm. Pullman retells his fifty favorites, from much-loved stories like "Cinderella" and "Rumpelstiltskin," "Rapunzel" and "Hansel and Gretel" to lesser-known treasures like "The Three Snake Leaves," "Godfather Death" and "The Girl with No Hands." At the end of each tale he offers a brief personal commentary, opening a window on the sources of the tales, the various forms they've taken over the centuries and their everlasting appeal. Suffused with romance and villainy, danger and wit, the Grimms' fairy tales have inspired Pullman's unique creative vision--and his beguiling retellings will draw you back into a world that has long cast a spell on the Western imagination.
Robin of Sherwood by
A twelve-year-old boy dreams about the life and adventures of Robin Hood who lived in Sherwood Forest as an outlaw dedicated to fighting tyranny.
The Legend of King Arthur by
A retelling of fourteen tales from the legend of King Arthur, beginning with the wizard Merlin and ending with the departure of Arthur for the magical isle of Avalon.
The Tortoise and the Hare by
This lavish, highly-acclaimed rendition of Aesop's most beloved fable about grit, hope, and resilience is brought to life by Caldecott Medal-winning artist Jerry Pinkney. This nearly wordless companion to the Caldecott Medal-winning The Lion & the Mouse is Jerry Pinkney's most stunning masterpiece yet. Even the slowest tortoise can defeat the quickest hare, and even the proudest hare can learn a timeless lesson from the most humble tortoise: Slow and steady wins the race! Here is a superbly rendered journey from starting line to finish that embodies the bravery, perseverance, and humility we can all find inside ourselves. Don't miss these other classic retellings by Jerry Pinkney: The Little Mermaid The Lion & the Mouse The Grasshopper & the Ants The Three Billy Goats Gruff Little Red Riding Hood Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Anansi the Spider by
Anansi the Spider is one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief-maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes. In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion. In adapting this popular folktale, Gerald McDermott merges the old with the new, combining bold, rich color with traditional African design motifs and authentic Ashanti language rhythms. Anansi the Spideris a 1973 Caldecott Honor Book.
Princess Furball by
A princess in a coat of a thousand furs hides her identity from a king who falls in love with her.
The Rough-Face Girl by
From Algonquin Indian folklore comes one of the most haunting, powerful versions of the Cinderella tale ever told. In a village by the shores of Lake Ontario lived an invisible being. All the young women wanted to marry him because he was rich, powerful, and supposedly very handsome. But to marry the invisible being the women had to prove to his sister that they had seen him. And none had been able to get past the sister's stern, all-knowing gaze. Then came the Rough-Face girl, scarred from working by the fire. Could she succeed where her beautiful, cruel sisters had failed?
Smoky Mountain Rose by
In this variation set in the Smoky Mountains, Rose loses her glass slipper at a party given by the rich feller on the other side of the creek, who is looking for a wife.
Cendrillon by
A Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator team brings us a Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the perspective of the magical godmother. You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you've never heard it for true. Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man's son, at first she doesn't know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her--and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life. Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.
The Korean Cinderella by
"This masterfully retold version of Cinderella presents real Korean customs and includes dramatic, brightly colored illustrations" (Children's Literature). This is an enchanting and magical variant of the favorite fairy tale. Publishers Weekly noted that "the text is especially noteworthy for its instructive but unobtrusive incorporation of Korean words." Children's Literature pointed out that "it should be noted that all the illustrations--from those depicting Korean rituals to the smallest clothing details--are the result of the illustrator's extensive research and passionate interest in Korean culture." Like the tree planted to honor her birth, Pear Blossom is beautiful, and the pride of her elderly mother and father. But then her mother dies, and her father remarries. Pear Blossom's stepmother resents her new daughter's beauty. Out of jealousy, she makes Pear Blossom perform impossible chores while her own daughter, Peony, watches idly. But fortunately, Pear Blossom is not alone. With the help of magical creatures--togkabis--she can accomplish each task, and triumph over her stepmother's cruelty. Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
The Irish Cinderlad by
"A robust story of courage and danger" (Booklist). "A must for collectors of Cinderella variants" (Kirkus Reviews). Folklorist Shirley Climo retells an age-old Irish tale that's an unusual twist on the popular Cinderella fairy tale. As Creativiteach.com says: "What would have happened if Cinderella were a man? How might the story be different? An old Irish folk tale provides one answer. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day." Ever since he was a baby, Becan's only worry has been his big feet--until his widowed father remarries. His new stepmother and her three daughters feed him crusts of bread and banish him to work in the fields. So Becan runs away. With the help of his only friend, a magical bull, he defeats a giant, slays a dragon, and rescues a princess. But before she can thank him, Becan disappears, leaving behind him one of his enormous boots. The princess scours the kingdom for the owner of the giant boot. Will Becan's feet give him away? And what will his fate be if they do?
The Egyptian Cinderella by
"A stunning combination of fluent prose and exquisitely wrought illustrations" (School Library Journal). "An inventive twist on the classic tale" (Publishers Weekly). This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo. Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing--no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile. So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper's owner and make her queen of all Egypt Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)