In this new millennium, we are faced with a critical question: are we willing to work together to ensure the survival of the planet as well as each other? In his fifth collection of tellable folktales—and his third collaboration with illustrator Joe Shlichta—DeSpain provides eleven ancient stories that address natural elements such as Sun, Moon, Stars, Ocean, Wind, Fire, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Insects, Rocks, Trees, and Humans.
This useful resource can be enjoyed by young readers for pleasure ....
or can be used in the classroom to enhance the science curriculum. For the reader who wants to explore these tales further, DeSpain provides notes citing written sources and folklore motifs. Includes stories from Zaire, Fiji, Central Asia, Australia, China, Portugal, and the Algonquin, Cherokee, Quinault, and Tlingit native peoples.
AWARDS PLA/ALLS Best New Books for New Adult Readers
Selected for the Elementary School Library Collection
REVIEWS
The Booklist
"Each tale is presented in simple, direct language that will be easily accessible for young readers or listeners. Joe Schlichta's scratch board illustrations add a decorative touch and help break up the text. A great collection for primary story hours; raconteurs will appreciate DeSpain's appended source notes and performance suggestions."
School Library Journal
"The reteller's notes describe where he first heard or found each tale and list print sources for other versions. In a few cases, he includes hints for storytelling. He also keys each story to the motif-index in Margaret Read MacDonald's The Storyteller's Sourcebook. The stories themselves are short and easy to read."
Library Talk
"The oral tradition is apparent in these well-paced stories. All support ecological awareness, and many have not been frequently retold."
