It's a deadly contest of man-vs-machine written with such power that this African-American folk hero becomes as awesome as a force of nature, yet as familiar as an older brother. Pinkney's stunning art shows John Henry's energy bursting from nature. Full color.

    A spider tricks other animals into thinking a melon can talk.

    To others, his teachings shed light on some of the deepest mysteries. Here, is timeless wisdom, adapted by disciplines living in Jerusalem today, reaches out to us all: Never lose hope. Find joy and cause for happiness in everything that happens to you.

    So she placed a large lacquered bowl on Lily's head, and made her promise never to remove it. Yoriko Ito's elegant paintings use traditional Japanese motifs to highlight the adaptation of this inspiring folktale of the rewards of kindness and beauty. Full color. Age5-9. P ub: 10/94.

    The two older girls were lazy and bad-tempered, and made their youngest sister do all the work. When the flames from the cooking fire singed her hair or burned her skin, they laughed and called her Sootface.While she worked, Sootface dreamed that one day she would find a husband. Then a mighty warrior with the power to make himself invisible decides to marry. Only a woman with a kind and honest heart could see him, and be his bride.Though her sisters ridicule her, Sootface sets off to try her luck, never looking back. Her courage and good nature bring her the husband she has longed for.

    These are stories from a broad array of tribes and tradtions.

    Bring me the Firebird, or I swear by my sword, your head will no longer sit upon your shoulders!A retelling of a popular Russian folktaleDemi's retelling captures the charm and drama of this favorite Russian folktale, while her lavish, gilded illustrations vividly evoke the grand setting and daring adventures.

    Snow White and the Seven DwarfsBeauty and the BeastThe Little Gold FishThe Princess and the PeaHansel and GretelThe Wise Little GirlThe Little Mermaid

    Clement's beautifully executed paintings add a rich drama to the story. Full color.

    Glimpses of wildlife intimately convey the scale of the Great Plains inside magnificently graphic and bold paintings that reverberate with meaning in this stunning, dramatic account. Full color.

    Roth's brilliant collage art enhances the story. Full color.

    A collection of twelve African folk-tales, including: Leelee Goro, a Temne Tale / Anansi and the Phantom Food, a Tale from Liberia / The Boogey Man's Wife, a Mano Tale / Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki, an Ashanti Tale / The Hen and the Dove, an Ashanti Fable / The Sloogey Dog and the Stolen Aroma, a Fang Tale / The Cock and the Jackal, a Khoikhoi Fable / No, Boconono!, a Zulu Tale / Toad's Trick, a Kanuri Fable / Goso the Teacher, a Swahili Narrative Poem / Hapendeki and Binti the Bibi, a Swahili Tale / Kindai and the Ape, a Tale of the Emo-Yo-Quaim.

    For ages 4-10.

    From ancient creation myths of the Aztecs and traditional tales of Spanish colonialists to an eclectic sampling of the work of modern Latino storytellers, this book provides a rich tapestry of both obscure and well-loved stories-religious stories; animal tales; stories of magic, transformation, and wisdom; and chistes (short comic tales). Fifteen tales are also presented in Spanish. The origin and historical development of the stories are examined in an introductory chapter. A discussion of dichos (proverbs) and adivinanzas (riddles) illuminates the larger context of the oral tradition in which the tales have flourished. Lavishly illustrated with pictures of original paintings and sculpture by contemporary Latino artists, this fascinating collection will appeal to children and adults alike and is a must for the multicultural class

    Fourteen brief folktales in which there is a mystery or problem that the reader is invited to solve before the resolution is presented.

    With the help of his unusual traveling companions, the youngest mouse in a peasant family, considered a fool by his own parents, finds an extraordinary flying ship and wins the hand of the Tsar's daughter, in a lively retelling of a classic Russian folktale.

    This sequel to "A Wave in Her Pocket" offers six stories based on Trinidad's folklore, in a framework of contemporary island life.

    Full color.