Best of
Folklore

2003

Falling for Rapunzel


Leah Wilcox - 2003
    Instead of her curly locks, she throws her dirty socks. Instead of silky tresses, out go lacey dresses. And you can predict the guaranteed-to-crack-kids-up clothing she sends down when the prince simply says hair. . . .Finally Rapunzel heaves out something that makes all the prince's dreams come true, showing how misunderstandings can lead to happily-ever-after.Hilarious text, clever page-turns, and vibrant, eclectic art make this a non-traditional Rapunzel kids will want to read about again and again.

Stone Soup


Jon J. Muth - 2003
    Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.

Just a Minute!: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book


Yuyi Morales - 2003
    He requests that she leave with him right away. "Just a minute," Grandma Beetle tells him. She still has one house to sweep, two pots of tea to boil, three pounds of corn to make into tortillas -- and that's just the start! Using both Spanish and English words to tally the party preparations, Grandma Beetle cleverly delays her trip and spends her birthday with a table full of grandchildren and her surprise guest. This spirited tribute to the rich traditions of Mexican culture is the perfect introduction to counting in both English and Spanish. The vivacious illustrations and universal depiction of a family celebration are sure to be adored by young readers everywhere.

The Runes of Elfland


Ari Berk - 2003
    Featuring 24 new full-color, rune-inspired paintings and dozens of black-and-white sketches by Froud, as well as more than 100 pages of the folklore and mythology surrounding each rune, this book if packed with notable legends, such as the Birch Mother, the Woman of the Marsh, the Ever-Living, the Green Girl of the Birches, and the Day-Child. * * * The Runes of Elfland is a perfect gift book for anyone who enjoys Celtic folklore and mythology, as well as for those interested in faeries and fantasy. Froud fanatics will treasure this offering, which is both art book and folklore collection. "A single word can be a world and every letter a land. A rune drawn upon the ground can have curious consequences, might invite adventure, may open ancient doors. Here are the Runes of Elfland. Here are the songs of the shining lands. Here are signs of crossing and threshold. Here are stories of fate and illumination. Chant the charm, tell the tale, and step across " Paul Goat Allen- From School Library Journal:"If runes are the keys to Faery, this book is an Open Sesame."

Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens and Messages in Nature


Ted Andrews - 2003
    Inside, readers will: Learn to read signs and omens in nature; Interpret the meaning of landscapes; Discover how plants speak; Explore the lessons and meaning of the plant kingdom through extensive dictionaries of landscapes, trees, flowers, herbs and more.

Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets


Mark Moran - 2003
    You probably know of the infamous Jersey Devil, but have you heard of the Matawan Man Eater or the Hoboken Monkey-Man? Maybe you'd like to cruise down haunted Annie's Road in Totowa, or take a stroll through Vineland's bizarre Palace of Depression? These are just some of the offbeat and odd, the mysterious and unexplainable, the spooky sights and local legends that don't appear on any tourist map. You'll only find them here, along with an amazing assortment of roadside oddities, abandoned asylums, natural phenomena and unforgettable people along the highways and byways of the Garden State. From Caldwell's Mystery Thread and the Dancing Jesus of Whippoorwill Road to the campaign to save Middletown's Evil Clown, you'll laugh, gasp and marvel at the everyday weirdness that is New Jersey.

He Took My Lickin' for Me: A Classic Folk Tale


Timothy Robinson - 2003
    "Now, a rule is not much good without a punishment attached," said the teacher. "What should we do if someone breaks the rules?" The class's idea of justice, and what happens when they face it in all its fury, will become a meaningful type and shadow of the Savior's sacrifice for all of us.

Meeting the Other Crowd


Eddie Lenihan - 2003
    Honoured for their gifts and feared for their wrath, the fairies remind us to respect both the world we live in and forces we cannot see.In Meeting the Other Crowd, Eddie Lenihan presents a book about a hidden Ireland, a land of mysterious taboos, dangers, other worldly abductions, enchantments and much more. It is a world which most Irish people acknowledge exists, but which few of them, except the very oldest or professional folklorists, know much more about.Eddie Lenihan opens our eyes to this invisible world with the passion and bluntness of a great storyteller. In doing so he provides one of the finest collections of Irish folklore in modern times.

The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Celtic Myth and Spirit


Patricia Monaghan - 2003
    Pat Monaghan has studied and taught many integrated studies in poetry, science, mythology, feminist spirituality, environmental studies, chaos theory, and religion. All of these disciplines inform her writing, but none distract from the poetic story-telling or the mystical lore she encounters and then conveys. Her journey takes her to a churchyard with a fountain representing St. Bridget, perhaps a Christian representation of the Celtic goddess of water, fire, and transformation, called Brigit. Monaghan describes spiral petroglyphs and ancient sacred caves, bogs and woods where fairies have played their tricks on humans, and water falls that became sacred spots. The stories instruct and teach, as Monaghan points to ways that these myths still reveal the truths of human life, and the contradictions of love and hate, mother and seductress, harmony and struggle that are embodied in women’s lives — in all of human existence.

The Star People: A Lakota Story


S.D. Nelson - 2003
    The children barely save themselves, and as night approaches, they find themselves alone in the barren and unforgiving wilderness. How will they find home? As the stars shine brightly, the spirit of their grandmother, Elk Tooth Woman, appears to guide them: "The Star People are always with you. Look up, and you will see me among the stars." S. D. Nelson's compelling illustrations, inspired by the ledger-book style of the Plains Indians, capture the beauty of humans and nature existing as one.

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel


Patricia Storace - 2003
    With only a pet green monkey named Callaloo for company, Sugar Cane is lonely-her only consolation is her love of music. Often she stands at her window and sings, imagining that the echo of her voice is someone answering her. Then one night, someone does hear her song, but could this young man with a gift for music break the spell of Madam Fate and help Sugar Cane set herself free? Patricia Storace's lyrical and poignant retelling of the Rapunzel tale in a Caribbean setting is perfectly matched with Raúl Colón's lush illustrations. An unforgettable feast for the senses.

Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English History


Owen Davies - 2003
    They were far more representative of magical practice than the arcane delvings of astrologers and necromancers. Mostly unsensational in their approach, cunning-folk helped people with everyday problems: how to find lost objects; how to escape from bad luck or a suspected spell; and how to attract a lover or keep the love of a husband or wife.While cunning-folk sometimes fell foul of the authorities, both church and state often turned a blind eye to their existence and practices, distinguishing what they did from the rare and sensational cases of malvolent witchcraft. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored.

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God (Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X)


Anonymous - 2003
    Devoted to Krishna’s miraculous incarnation, this collection of sacred tales recounts his childhood and adolescence in the forests of Vrindavan: playing with his friends, dallying amorously with cowherd maidens, and stealing butter to feed the monkeys. Krishna emerges from these episodes as an immediately engaging figure, and the stories have inspired generations of artists, musicians, poets, sculptors, and dramatists. They also contain valuable insights into Hindu views on such matters as creation, cosmography, and the history of the subcontinent.Making its first appearance as a Penguin Classic, this edition of The Beautiful Legend of God includes an introduction, glossary of Sanskrit terms, pronunciation guide and bibliography. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Llewellyn's 2010 Witches' Datebook


Llewellyn Publications - 2003
    You set your schedule, cast your spells, and live your life in harmony with the energy of nature. Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2004 provides all the information you need to align your life with the Wheel of the Year and enhance your spiritual practice and Craft workings. In it, you'll find: The movement of the moonher names, signs, phases, and times of change The movement of the planets Magical color correspondences for each day Wiccan holidays The best days to plant and harvest Seasonal recipes and herb lore Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2004 also includes: Sabbat rituals by K. D. Spitzer, Sabbat recipes by Magenta Griffith, monthly meditations by Elizabeth Barrette, artwork by Kathleen Edwards, and articles by Edain McCoy, Anna Franklin, Gerina Dunwich, Dorothy Morrison, Yasmine Galenorn, and James Kambos.

The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore


Patricia Monaghan - 2003
    Approximately 1000 entries cover such topics as mythic figures; heroic figures; narrative and epic cycles; sacred places and objects; and theories and controversies.

I'm Still Here in the Bathtub: Brand New Silly Dilly Songs


Alan Katz - 2003
    "Wheels on the Bus" and"Itsy Bitsy Spider,"you'll go NUTS for"The Meals at My Camp" and"Tiny Baby Brother"!Songwriter and comedy writer par excellence Alan Katz has done it again! He's turned fourteen favorite songs upside down and created new nonsense songs kids will love. With hilariously funny pictures by illustrator and cartoonist David Catrow, this new collection promises giggles, guffaws, and hours of silly dillyness for kids everywhere!

A Deluxe Book of Flower Fairies


Cicely Mary Barker - 2003
    This edition features a padded cover, gilt edges and 272 pages of Cicely Mary Barker's beautiful illustrations.

Mojo: Conjure Stories


Nalo HopkinsonNisi Shawl - 2003
    Although the stories explore the myths and legends of personal magic, the subject matter ranges widely from African warriors in the holds of slave ships to abused children plotting revenge to drag queens to the undead living in affluent closed communities. In Neil Gaiman's "Bitter Grounds," an anthropology professor is on his way to a conference in New Orleans to present a paper on the legend of the Haitian coffee girls, undead children who allegedly went door-to-door selling a chicory coffee mixture just before the dawn. When his car breaks down on a backwoods road, he runs into a mysterious Samaritan who comes into his life for a very definite reason. The introduction by Luisah Teish, a popular spiritualist and author of Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals, says it all: "Reader, Be Aware! There's a conjuring going on. You are being lured, with the turning of each page, into the myth and mystery of our DeepBlack magical heritage." Unlike many anthologies, this collection of 19 original stories has no weak spots. Every tale is strong, unique, and noteworthy in its own right. Fans of Nalo Hopkinson works like Brown Girl in the Ring and the short story collection Skin Folk will cherish this brilliant collection. Paul Goat Allen

Tales from the Tent: Jessie's Journey Continues


Jess Smith - 2003
    Unable to adjust to settled life working in a factory after leaving school, she finds herself drawn once again to the wild countryside of Scotland. Having grown up on the road in an old blue bus with her parents and seven sisters, Jessie now joins her family in caravans, stopping to rest in campsites and lay-bys as they follow work around the country—berry-picking, hay-stacking, ragging, fortune-telling and hawking. Making the most of their freedom, Jessie and her family continue the traditional way of life that is disappearing before their eyes, wandering the roads and byways, sharing tales and living on the edge of 'acceptable' society. Intertwined with the story of Jessie's loveable but infuriating family, incorrigible friends, first loves and first losses are her 'tales from the tent', a collection of folklore from the traveller's world, tales of romance, mythical beasts, dreams, ghostly apparitions and strange encounters.

William Shakespeare’s: Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Retellings, #6)


Bruce Coville - 2003
    In this boisterous tale of hidden identities and misplaced love, Coville once again weaves his own lyrical prose together with pivotal lines from Twelfth Night. Tim Raglin has captured all the hilarity of the play in his expressively comic illustrations. Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike will delight in this faithful, merry adaptation.

Aesop's Fables


Brad Sneed - 2003
    Includes "The Fox & the Grapes," "The Hare & the Tortoise," others. 10" x 13". All agesBrad Sneed brings his zany and creative talents to the world of Aesop. In his signature style of tricky perspectives, amusing exaggerations, and rich, delicate watercolors, his animal characters are beautifully realistic and yet humorously human, as they mimic a wide range of human feelings . . . and foibles.The stories of Aesop have been told and retold over the centuries; in his lively adaptation Brad Sneed updates the language and infuses these fifteen stories with a sense of humor that children will enthusiastically enjoy. And once again, as in his popular alphabet book Picture a Letter, Brad has included a wordless bonus for sharp-eyed readers of all ages-a sixteenth tale told only in pictures is hidden somewhere between the covers.Adapted and Illustrated by Brad Sneed

Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile


Won-Ldy Paye - 2003
    Chicken has to think fast to outwit hungry Crocodile, who wants to eat her for dinner.One morning Mrs. Chicken took her bath in a puddle.“Cluck, cluck,” she said proudly. “What a pretty chicken I am!”Mrs. Chicken can’t see her wings in the puddle, so she walks down to the river where she can admire all of herself. She doesn’t know that Crocodile is there, waiting for dinner—and a tasty chicken would do nicely! To save herself, Mrs. Chicken tells Crocodile that they are sisters. But how can a speckled chicken and a green-skinned crocodile be related? Mrs. Chicken had better prove that they are, and fast, because Crocodile is getting hungrier . . .The authors and illustrator of Head, Body, Legs join together to create another lively retelling of a popular African folktale. Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Old-Time Farmhouse Cooking: Rural American Recipes & Farm Lore


Barbara Swell - 2003
    These recipes, stories, jokes, advice, farm lore, and illustrations were collected from a wide variety of American agricultural sources from the 1880s to the 1950s.

Folk Medicine in Southern Appalachia


Anthony Cavender - 2003
    He provides a complete tour of ailments and folk treatments organized by body systems, as well as information on medicinal plants, patent medicines, and magico-religious beliefs and practices. He investigates folk healers and their methods, profiling three living practitioners: an herbalist, a faith healer, and a Native American healer. The book also includes an appendix of botanicals and a glossary of folk medical terms.Demonstrating the ongoing interplay between mainstream scientific medicine and folk medicine, Cavender challenges the conventional view of southern Appalachia as an exceptional region isolated from outside contact. His thorough and accessible study reveals how Appalachian folk medicine encompasses such diverse and important influences as European and Native American culture and America's changing medical and health-care environment. In doing so, he offers a compelling representation of the cultural history of the region as seen through its health practices.

Shining


Julius Lester - 2003
    As she grows, Shining runs, plays, and smiles like other children, but she does so silently. The villagers fear and shun her, but Shining remains silent and waits for the right moment, and for the right sound, to come--a sound so true, it will win the hearts of her people . . . and win Shining her rightful place as their leader. Newbery Honor author Julius Lester has created a powerful tale about the importance of remaining true to one's self and finding one's voice. John Clapp's luminous paintings add a breathtaking dimension to Shining, a character as distinct and enchanting as the world she inhabits. Notes by the author and the illustrator supplement the text.

Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland


Steve Roud - 2003
    Are black cats lucky or unlucky? What should you do when you hear the first cuckoo? Since when have people believed that it's unlucky to shoot an albatross? Why does breaking a mirror lead to misfortune? This fascinating collection answers these and many other questions about the world of superstitions and forms an endlessly browsable guide to a subject that continues to obsess and intrigue.

Raincoast Sasquatch


J. Robert Alley - 2003
    Enjoy the mystery as you explore the existence of this elusive creature along the remote coasts of British Columbia and Alaska. This is an impressive collection of the first-hand accounts, historical reports and Native folklore that surround Bigfoot/Sasquatch. Sure to be enjoyed by believers and skeptics alike, this book will make you take a closer look into forests everywhere.

Sleeping Beauty


Adèle Geras - 2003
    She curses the baby to die in sixteen years, but her evil intentions are undone by the good fairy who instead promises one hundred years of sleep.The pages are trimmed with exquisite borders to give it a classic feel, and the lavish full-color art is highlighted with black and white sketches.

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly: A Hilarious Lift-the-Flap Book!


Colin Hawkins - 2003
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly—so read along and find out! Meet all the animals that end up in the old lady's tummy—but what will happen when she starts to get a bit full? This is a comical retelling of the favorite nursery rhyme from a popular team, with lift-the-flap pages that are just right for small hands.

The Devil's Picturebook: The Compleat Guide to Tarot Cards: Their Origins and Their Usage


Paul Huson - 2003
    The New Haven Register recognized it as: "The most comprehensive and illuminating work on these 'mirrors of the soul.' Unique among books on the Tarot."

Pelzmantel and Other Tales of Magic


K.A. Laity - 2003
    Her only friend is Nanna, her family's longtime caregiver. On the plus side, she's found out that 'Nanna' is really Carae Mná, a centuries-old Irish witch. On the minus side, they're both in hiding from the witch's oldest enemy, a mage who has taken over Hallgerd's father and her land. How can Hallgerd win back her home and Nanna her human skin? And what about that wardrobe in the walnut? Pelzmantel spins a tale of medieval magic where people and things are seldom what they seem to be on the surface. Infused with genuine magical lore and history, this inspired retelling of the Grimm Brothers' "Allerleirau" uncovers the seldom-glimpsed world behind the glitz: the hard work that keeps a castle running and the secrets lives of women in the Middle Ages. This edition includes three additional magical stories (one never before published) and an essay on medieval magic.

A Forest of Stories


Rina Singh - 2003
    Highlights: - Includes magical folktales of familiar trees such as Cherry Blossom and Chesnut and also the more exotic Kapok and Pomegranate- Ideal gift book for the whole family, and for anyone with an interest in their natural surroundings and environmental issues- Each story has an introduction giving informative notes about each species- Introduces Rina Singh, a new author from Toronto, Canada

Myths of Ancient Greece and Rome (K12)


John Holdren - 2003
    A collection of myths from Ancient Greece and Rome.

Half Human, Half Animal: Tales of Werewolves and Related Creatures


Jamie Hall - 2003
    They're rather good examples of their genre, but still clearly amateur. Perhaps she was unwilling to lean too heavily on the work of the past, but there's no shame in borrowing from the masters, and it would have added greatly to the feel of the book. For the devoted fan of shapeshifter lore, Half Human, Half Animal is worth buying for the resource list alone. New fans to the genre could do worse than to start with this book, which covers a wider variety of myths and legends than the usual Euro-centric werewolf-exclusive fare. It's not the most elegantly written volume on the subject, as Hall seems to be finding her feet in this first literary excursion. Still, I'm looking forward to the second volume Hall claims to be assembling; with luck she'll have fully overcome her first time writer's foibles without losing her fan's enthusiasm for the subject. Half Human, Half Animal: Tales of Werewolves and Related Creatures will help round out any folklore fan's shelf.

The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer: A Huichol Indian Story


James Endredy - 2003
    Their nature-based way of life makes no distinction between the sacred and the secular, and they express their reverence for the powers of the earth by regarding all elements in nature as family. The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer is a modern adaptation of a traditional Huichol story depicting a young child finding his (or her) personal task in life by connecting with the powers of nature. The story is told through the experiences of young Tunuri, who becomes lost in the woods. He meets the magical Blue Deer--a messenger between the worlds of mortals and deities--who introduces Tunuri to Father Sun, Mother Earth, and others in the natural world, while leading him back to his human family. Through this lovely tale and the vivid illustrations done in the medium of traditional Huichol yarn drawings, children can learn about their place in the sacred web of life.

The Poets' Grimm: 20th Century Poems from Grimm Fairy Tales


Jeanne Marie BeaumontLucille Clifton - 2003
    The editors have collected more than a hundred poems inspired by Grimm tales and written by our finest living poets. A brilliant and informative anthology, a teachable text. Jeanne Marie Beaumont first book of poetry, "Placebo Effects," was selected by William Matthews for the National Poetry Series in 1997. She teaches at Rutgers University. Claudia Carlson works at Oxford University Press in New York. Her poems have appeared in "Heliotrope, Coracle, Space and Time, Fantastic Stories" and "NYCBigCityLit.comm"

The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm


Jack D. Zipes - 2003
    Now, in the new, expanded third edition, renowned scholar and folklorist Jack Zipes has translated all 250 tales collected and published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, plus twenty-nine rare tales omitted from the original German edition, as well as narratives uncovered in the brothers’ letters and papers. Truly the most comprehensive translation to date, this critically acclaimed edition recaptures the fairy tales as the Brothers Grimm intended them to be: rich, stark, spiced with humor and violence, resonant with folklore and song.One of the world’s experts on children’s literature, Jack Zipes is a professor of German at the University of Minnesota and is the author of numerous books on folklore and fairy tales.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Warriors of the Wasteland: A Quest for the Pagan Sacrificial Cult Behind the Grail Legends


John Grigsby - 2003
    In this extensively researched work on the ancient Celtic peoples of northwest Europe, John Grigsby reveals how, behind the medieval tale of the Fisher King, lies the dim remembrance of a cult of human sacrifice that forms the backbone of pagan Celtic religion.

Women of Mythology


Kay Retzlaff - 2003
    From the divine to the sensual, women have long exercised a profound influence on world cultures, and so have become integral to the stories they tell. These tales, from ancient Egypt to old Ireland, from classical Greece to China, praise the divine and human heroines who demonstrate courage, daring, wit, creativity, and loyalty. The unforgettable women portrayed in these pages include Deborah, the brilliant Biblical judge and priestess who planned a winning battle against the Canaanite general Sisera and his mighty army; the Chinese general Mulan, who brought her soldiers safely through combat and saved her country; the ferocious Amazon Myrine, who conquered Atlantis; and Medb, queen of Connacht, whose adventures in war--and love--inspired a great Irish epic.

Curious New England: The Unconventional Traveler’s Guide to Eccentric Destinations


Joseph A. Citro - 2003
    Some evoke hilarity, some horror. Discover singing sand, glowing tombstones, ghostly squirrels, and a musical instrument said to cause madness. Marvel at the most mysterious manuscript in the world. Visit a miniature replica of the Holy Land or climb carved stone steps leading . . . nowhere. Curious New England points the way to all the tantalizing treats and terrifying treasures that remain tucked away in overlooked museums, private collections, and forgotten recesses of this very special region. *A cursed statue in Maine *Ageless American Megaliths *A window embedded in Vermont earth *Titus’s Arch on a New Hampshire hilltop *Artwork made from insect parts With precise directions, hours, and contact information, these fascinating pages reveal each mystery, miracle, and marvel, from world-class weirdness, to minor curiosities, to entertaining distractions. There'll be no more boring Sunday drives when you can visit a spider farm, explore the laboratory of “mad” scientist Wilhelm Reich, view the Hobo Hotel, and observe houses made from paper, wooden crates, mounds of earth—even covered bridges. And New England’s wonders never cease: discover evidence of manned flight a century before the Wright Brothers; visible phantoms manifesting from marble columns; and automobiles emerging from tarmac like dinosaurs from pits of tar. This one-of-a-kind collection spotlights all six New England states, illuminating everything that’s wicked, weird, and wonderful in every hidden corner of a region that rivals Old England in mysteries, miracles, and marvels.

The Crafter's Design Library Celtic


Chris Down - 2003
    This sourcebook provides a rich and varied source of superb quality Celtic motifs, all of which can be copied and applied to a range of crafts. Part One gives an introduction to the history of Celtic art, before going on to explain how to trace, photocopy and even scan the images. It then goes on to describe, step-by-step, how to apply them to a number of crafts, from cross stitch and needlework to glass painting, metal embossing, stamping and more. There are even instructions for combining and embellishing motifs, adapting and creating borders, and applying colour: A gallery of completed projects provides ideas and inspiration. Part Two is the extensive library of Celtic motifs. Knots, borders and spirals are always favourites with crafters, as they are so versatile and can be as subtle or striking as required. Zoomorphic images, along with Saints and Angels, show animal and human forms depicted in the unique Celtic style. The embellished lettering can be applied to any number of crafts, while the varied Tree of Life section contains Celtic motifs to suit any occasion. Finally,

Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys


Jane Yolen - 2003
    These stories show that brains trump brawn every time. Renowned storyteller Jane Yolen has created an exciting companion book to her Book Sense 76 Pick Not One Damsel in Distress. An inspired collection of dramatic tales, Mightier Than the Sword will inspire boys and girls alike.

The Encyclopedia of Classic Mythology (Practical Handbook)


Arthur Cotterell - 2003
    Organised in alphabetical order, each entry includes details of characters, locations and sites of interest.

Reading Comprehension, Grades 5 - 6


Instructional Fair - 2003
    Lively reading passages present high-interest subjects in a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Accompanying activities reinforce comprehension skills that are essential for fluency and for success on standardized tests. The book includes cross-curricular subject matter that will deepen student knowledge while strengthening their reading skills.

Something for Nothing (Aesop Accolades (Awards))


Ann Redisch Stampler - 2003
    All day long he heard the hubbub of the nearby marketplace, and all night long he heard the banging and clanging of workmen unloading their goods. When he could take the racket no more, Dog set off for the country to find a quieter place to live.On his first night in his new home, a gang of howling and yowling, hissing and screeching cats terrorize him, destroying his newfound peace and quiet. Inspired by a Jewish folk tale, how Dog outwits the rascally cats makes for a humorous, satisfying story, exuberantly illustrated with stunning jewel-toned paintings reminiscent of Marc Chagall’s. Afterword.

Blue Ridge Music Trails: Finding a Place in the Circle


Fred C. Fussell - 2003
    This book is a comprehensive traveler's guide to discovering the many places where this unique music-making legacy thrives. The book leads readers to more than 160 venues and events filled with bluegrass and string band music, ballad singing, fiddling, shape-note singing, gospel music, clogging, and other traditional forms of music and dance. Vivid descriptions bring the mountain music scene to life in all its diversity. Nearly 150 color photographs are partnered with the moving words of musicians themselves, allowing readers a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the bearers of this enduring folk legacy. Concise driving directions and up-to-date maps accompany the entries for the events covered, which range from small, local jam sessions to well-known festivals that draw thousands of fans. An engaging and essential resource for music lovers, this guide invites everyone to experience a great American musical tradition.The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia are the heart of a region where traditional music and dance are performed and celebrated as nowhere else in America. This guide will put you on the trail to discover 160 sites where this unique musical legacy thrives.* Covers bluegrass and stringband music, ballad singing, fiddling, shape-note singing, gospel music, clogging, and other traditional forms of music and dance.* Highlights 160 venues and events, ranging from the workshops of master instrument makers, to small, local jam sessions, to well-known festivals that draw thousands of fans. * Includes driving directions, maps, and contact information.* Filled with color illustrations, profiles of prominent musicians, a brief history of Blue Ridge music, and a calendar of annual events.The Blue Ridge Music Trails are a project of the Blue Ridge Heritage Initiative and its partners, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum of Ferrum College, the North Carolina Folklife Institute, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service.

Myths and Legends of the Ancient Near East


Rachel Storm - 2003
    

Dragons, Little People, Witches, Fairies, Trolls and Elves


Édouard Brasey - 2003
    

The Dragon Cant


James DONGWECK - 2003
    Concerns a small, peaceful village besieged by the hungry dragon, Dragon Cant, and the effect of being positive.

Songs of the Frontier Warriors / Kenge Kreshnikesh: Albanian Epic Verse in a Bilingual English-Albanian Edition


Robert Elsie - 2003
    They explain that, being from a little-known culture and in a little-studied language, the cycle has tended to remain in the shadow of the Bosnian

Indonesian Folktales


Margaret Read MacDonald - 2003
    Focusing on the rich heritage of the country, this latest addition to the highly acclaimed World Folklore Series presents 29 stories from across Indonesia, most of which have never been published in the English language. Build your multicultural collection or expand your repertoire with tales that provide a moving and colorful image of the diversity and richness of the people and lands of Indonesia. Six thematic groups are presented: Jealous and Envious Brothers and Sisters; Stories of Independent Princesses; Stories of Ungrateful Children; Stories about Rice; Stories of Place Legends; and Stories of How Things Come to Be.All Levels

Feminist Folktales from India


Qiron Adhikary - 2003
    Most of these stories speak of women who think, live, and feel differently from the stereotypes of women that are, and have been, perpetuated through the ages. Hopefully, these stories will speak to all girls and women who read them. Hopefully, they will inform little girls that they don't have to be anything other than who they are. And that if who they are is different from who they're supposed to be, that can be a good thing.

Cajun Comiques Historic Louisiana


Wallace Faucheux - 2003
    An excellent resource for anyone interested in Louisiana history. The book, through the use of the Cajun Comiques Method, breaks down a complex history into an easily understood and entertaining story.

The Anguish of Snails: Native American Folklore in the West (Folklife of the West, Vol. 2)


Barre Toelken - 2003
    Within a framework of performance theory, cultural worldview, and collaborative research, he examines Native American visual arts, dance, oral tradition (story and song), humor, and patterns of thinking and discovery to demonstrate what can be gleaned from Indian traditions by Natives and non-Natives alike. In the process he considers popular distortions of Indian beliefs, demystifies many traditions by showing how they can be comprehended within their cultural contexts, considers why some aspects of Native American life are not meant to be understood by or shared with outsiders, and emphasizes how much can be learned through sensitivity to and awareness of cultural values.Winner of the 2004 Chicago Folklore Prize, The Anguish of Snails is an essential work for the collection of any serious reader in folklore or Native American studies.