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Featured
Children's Book: Folklore
A Little Story About a Big Turnip
By Tatiana Zunshine, illustrations by Evgeny Antonenkov
Age Range: 3 to 8
"Authors breathe new life into classic myths and
folklore, for everyone from picture book fans on up to teenage
readers." —Publishers Weekly
"The familiar folktale about a turnip and teamwork gets a
humorous treatment from . . . the place where the tale
originated." —Booklist
"Readers-aloud will soon have listeners ruffing, meowing,
and squeaking along" —Bulletin of the Center for Children's
Books "With its fresh look and accessible language, this tale
will be popular for storytime and one-on-one sharing." —School
Library Journal
Drawing from the history of Russian verbal art, this
chuildren's story about a family that must work together is an adaptation of
a Russian children's folk tale. When the grandfather has trouble
plucking a turnip from his garden, it takes the help of the
entire family—grandmother, granddaughter, dog, cat, and mouse—to
dislodge it. Rhythm and melody work in combination with a clever
refrain and comical, vivid watercolor drawings to make this
story lyrically and visually entertaining.
Tatiana Zunshine was born and raised in the former
Soviet Union.
After emigrating to the United States, she toured extensively,
promoting human rights, taking part in dozens of speaking
engagements, and giving numerous interviews to the media. She
lives in
Columbus,
Ohio. Evgeny Antonenkov lives in Moscow and works as an art
director for Rosman, a children’s publishing house. He has
illustrated more than 20 children's books, including Winnie the
Pooh, The Ring and the Rose, and Russian Folktales for Children.
The Boy Who Lived with the Bears
And Other Iroquois Stories
By Joseph Bruchac, illustrations by Murv Jacob
Age Range: 5 to 11
art of the Parabola Storytime series, which includes How
Rabbit Tricked Otter and Other Cherokee Trickster Stories
(0930407601)
The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of
children's stories
and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes.
Originally produced by Parabola magazine in audio format, many
of these stories appear here in written form for the first time,
with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by
artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the
beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions.
In these six Iroquois tales, animals showcase the best of
human emotions and spirit. Buzzard flies to the Creator to bring
back clothes for all the birds. Tiny Chipmunk takes on massive
and powerful Bear in a challenge to determine whether or not the
sun will keep rising. In the title story, a young boy has lost
his human family and finds love in the home of the Bears. Wise
and foolish, cowardly and brave, animals teach humans how to
live better lives, while providing entertainment as well.
Joseph Bruchac is a renowned storyteller of Abenaki
ancestry who has performed all over the
United States and throughout
Europe.
He has written more than 100 books for adults and children,
including Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back, A Boy Called Slow:
The True Story of Sitting Bull, and Keepers of the Earth, and
his works have won numerous awards, including the IRA Young
Adult Choices award and the Teacher's Choice award. He is a
contributing editor to Parabola Magazine. He lives in
Greenfield Center,
New York. Murv Jacob is a painter and pipemaker of
Kentucky-Cherokee descent. He has won numerous awards for his
work, including the Grand Award at the Trail of Tears Art Show.
He lives in Tahlequah,
Oklahoma.
The Crabfish
By John M. Feierabend, illustrations by Vincent Nguyen
Age Range: 3 to 6
Classic folk music and colorful illustrations tell this funny
tale of a husband who tries to help his sick wife feel better by
granting her wish to dine on crabfish. This folktale, which has
been passed down for 400 years through song, is now packaged to
continue this oral tradition. On the enclosed CD the folk song
is sunge completely the first time through, while the second
time children and parents are invited to sing along with the
chorus.
John M. Feierabend is a national leader in the field of early
childhood education and currently serves as a professor and
chair of the music education division at The Hartt School of the
University of Hartford in Connecticut. He is the author of The
Book of Echo Songs, The Book of Lullabies, and The Book of
Tapping and Clapping. He lives in Simsbury, Connecticut. Vincent
Nguyen received his BFA in illustration from the School of
Visual Arts in New York City. He animates feature-length
cartoons and illustrates children's books such as The Good That
I Should, the Some Animals series, and Stella the Star. He lives
in New York City.
Gezani and the Tricky Baboon
by Valanga Khoza, illustrations by Sally Rippin
Age
Range: 4 to 7
Bold pictures and the rhythmic vitality of African chants
bring this fable to life. Gezani’s grandfather gives him the
simple task of bringing a bunch of bananas to his cousins on the
hill. But a wily baboon has other ideas—he wants those bananas
all for himself! The young African boy is fooled once but
cleverly turns the tables on the baboon and plays his own trick.
Valanga Khoza performs as a musician and storyteller
around the world. Sally Rippin is the author of the Crichton
Award–winning Fang Fang's Chinese New Year and Chenxi and the
Foreigner and the illustrator of The Shape.
How Rabbit Tricked Otter
And Other Cherokee Trickster Stories
By Gayle Ross, illustrations by Murv Jacob
Age Range: 5 to 11
Part of the Parabola Storytime series, which includes The
Boy Who Lived with the Bears (093040761X)
The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of stories
and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes.
Originally produced by Parabola magazine in audio format, many
of these stories appear here in written form for the first time,
with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by
artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the
beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions.
This collection of 15 Cherokee tales introduces the
trickster-hero Rabbit, the most important character portrayed in
the animal stories of the Cherokee culture. The surefooted
messenger who carries important news to his animal friends near
and far, Rabbit is charming and mischievous—he tricks others and
is often tricked himself. Sometimes he wins and sometimes he
loses; sometimes he is lazy and mean, sometimes kind and
caring—but somehow Rabbit always survives.
Gayle Ross is a direct descendant of John Ross, the
principal chief of the Cherokee Nation during the infamous Trail
of Tears. She is the author of How Turtle's Back Was Cracked and
The Legend of Windigo. She has told the myths and legends of the
Cherokee people at schools, colleges, and festivals across the
United States and
Canada, carrying on a family tradition begun by her
grandmother. She lives in
Fredericksburg,
Texas. Murv Jacob is a painter and pipemaker of
Kentucky-Cherokee descent. He has won numerous awards for his
work, including the Grand Award at the Trail of Tears Art Show.
He lives in
Tahlequah,
Oklahoma.
Jujo Of the Jungle
By Mark Ludy
Age
Range: 5 to 7
With seamless text and lush illustrations, this picture
book follows the adventures of a young boy over the course of a
night in the jungle. Memorable characters—from a fanged-tooth
cat to a slithering snake—contribute to this story of bravery
and honor.
Mark Ludy is the author and illustrator of
of many children's books, including
The Farmer,
The Flower Man, and The Grump and illustrator of When I Was a
Boy . . . I Dreamed and When I Was a Girl . . . I Dreamed. He
lives in
Windsor,
Colorado.
Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain
by Margaret Bateson Hil, illustrations by Francesca
Pelizzoli
Age Range: 7 and UP
Delicate artwork provides a perfect backdrop for this
beautiful story set in
China. The full story in Chinese and instructions for paper
cutting are also included.
Masha and the Firebird
By Margaret Bateson Hill, illustrations by Anne Wilson
Age Range: 4 to 8
Masha's mother sells eggs at market, and Masha loves to
paint their smooth shells. One day, deep in the forest, Masha
meets the magical Firebird, guardian of the eggs of the four
elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The Firebird asks Masha
to paint its eggs so that they blend with the elements, hiding
them from the vicious witch, Baba Yaga. At first, the plan works
well, but Baba Yaga finally gets her hands on the last egg, and
Masha sets off on an amazing journey to find it. This original
folktale blends elements of the Firebird legend and traditional
European folktales in a bilingual English and Russian text,
along with suggestions to inspire children to paint their own
eggs.
Margaret Bateson-Hill is a professional storyteller in
schools, museums, and libraries. She is the author of Lao Lao of
Dragon
Mountain and Shota and the Starquilt. Anne Wilson blends collage
and other printing methods in her work. She is the illustrator
of Growing Good.
On this Beautiful Island
by Edwin Fontánez
Age Range: 6 to 10
This children's book is a lyrical and beautifully illustrated
account of a day in the life of a Ta-no boy living 500 years ago
on the
island
of
Puerto Rico. It gives a child's-eye account of the strong bonds that
these ancient people had with the natural world and one another.
From poetic descriptions of the morning gathering of the crops
to the magic of storytelling by the evening fire with Mother and
Father, young readers will discover the rewards of a life lived
close to the earth. Children will find additional pleasure in
the antics of Tahite, a colorful pet parrot, and in vivid
illustrations of the island's inhabitants, from the smallest
coqui frog to the mightiest ceiba tree. As readers become
enthralled with the workings of the ancient Ta-no culture, a
philosophy of strength of community, respect for resources, and
the value of friendship will inspire them to enjoy and protect
the natural world that surrounds them.
Edwin Font-nez is a Puerto Rican artist, author, and
producer of multicultural books and videos for children. He is
the author of Ta-no: The Activity Book and The Vejigante and the
Folk Festivals of
Puerto Rico.
Shota and the Star Quilt
by Margaret Bateson Hil, illustrated by Francesca Pelizzoli
Age Range: 5 and UP
Shota is a young Lakota girl who lives in a contemporary
American city. When the block that her family and friends live
on is threatened by development, they use long-standing Lakota
traditions to find a solution that saves their homes. In working
together, they create a beautiful quilt that resolves more than
just their problem. This story weaves together traditional
folktale values with modern concerns for the urban environment
and green issues. In addition to the beautiful folk-style native
art illustrations, the complete text of the story is presented
in Lakota as well as English.
Margaret Bateson-Hill is the author of Lao Lao of
Dragon
Mountain and Masha and the Firebird.
Stone Me!
by Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore
Age Range: 8 to 11
This hilarious and informative children's story presents a
modern-day spin on the ancient Greek myth of Medusa as well as
an insightful look into school life and student/teacher
relations. Fellow students Perce and Andy are instantly
suspicious when Ms. Dusa, a woman sporting a large turban that
covers her hair, shows up to teach at their school. Their
suspicions quickly turn to concern as they witness several of
their classmates getting turned to stone, and when none of their
teachers seem to notice, the duo decides to take action and stop
the 21st-century Medusa.
Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore are the coauthors of Goodknyght
and the Outernet series titles Control, The Hunt, Time Out, and
Weaver.
Turn the Turtle Rightside
by Carol L. Sayles
Age Range: 9 to 12
In this riveting adventure tale of ethical and moral
responsibilities among early Native Americans, the unnatural
death of a seemingly infallible Pumoc clan leader leads to
nearly disastrous uncertainty in the tribe. Two Pumoc boys who
leave amidst the upheaval are captured by a rival tribe, but
through wit and clever manipulation, they win over their captors
and stay on to learn about fishing, farming and trading—skills
new to them. Matured and experienced, they eventually make their
trek back to the Pumoc clan, ready to assume their roles as
leaders. This educational combination of both archaeology and
anthropology gives insight into the nature, people, and culture
of pre-Columbian history.
Carol L. Sayles is dean emeritus of Chaffey College in
Rancho Cucamonga,
California. She lives in
Mt. Baldy,
California.
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