Book picks similar to
The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico by Nina Jaffe
picture-books
traditional-lit
children-s-books
picture-book
American Tall Tales
Mary Pope Osborne - 1991
Here are Paul Bunyan, that king-sized lumberjack who could fell “ten white pines with a single swing”; John Henry, with his mighty hammer; Mose, old New York’s biggest, bravest fireman; Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, who could “outgrin, outsnort, outrun, outlift, outsneeze, outsleep, outlie any varmint”; and other uniquely American characters, together in one superb collection. In the tradition of the original nineteenth-century storytellers, Mary Pope Osborne compiles, edits, and adds her own two cents’ worth—and also supplies fascinating historical headnotes. Michael McCurdy’s robust colored wood engravings recall an earlier time, perfectly capturing all the vitality of the men and women who carved a new country out of the North American wilderness.
The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale
Koko Nishizuka - 2009
When Yohei faces a crisis, the cat remembers his generosity and brings help.
East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North
Peter Christen Asbjørnsen - 1845
The 33 Scandinavian folk tales take the imagination of the reader from rags to riches, from skulduggery to heroism, via witches' curses, beautiful princesses, giants, quests, billy goats and the occasional wicked troll, to a happy ending.
Duffy and the Devil
Harve Zemach - 1973
The Zemachs have interpreted the folk tale which the play dramatized, recognizable as a version of the widespread Rumpelstiltskin story. Its main themes are familiar, but the character and details of this picture book are entirely Cornish, as robust and distinctive as the higgledy-piggledy, cliff-hanging villages that dot England's southwestern coast from Penzance to Land's End.The language spoken by the Christmas players was a rich mixture of local English dialect and Old Cornish (similar to Welsh and Gaelic), and something of this flavor is preserved in Harve Zemach's retelling. Margot Zemach's pen-and-wash illustrations combine a refined sense of comedy with telling observation of character, felicitous drawing with decorative richness, to a degree that surpasses her own past accomplishments.Duffy and the Devil is a 1973 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, a 1974 National Book Award Finalist for Children's Books, and the winner of the 1974 Caldecott Medal.
Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of 'Little Black Sambo'
Julius Lester - 1996
There was a little boy in Sam-sam-sa-mara named Sam...So begins this delightful telling of one of the most controversial books in children's literature, Little Black Sambo. Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney reveal at the heart of this story a lively and charming tale of a little boy who triumphs over several hungry tigers. "Lester and Pinkney have stripped away the ugly racism and...reclaimed a great classic for children. AThe? expansive black storytelling voice is both folksy and contemporary, funny and fearful." --Booklist
Mouse & Lion
Rand Burkert - 2011
When a cold moon brings a humbling lesson, Lion comes to recognizeMouse's keen skill, and deeper kindness.Mouse and Lion, Aesop's fabled duo,renew their ancient bond in this warm retelling by Rand Burkert, illuminated by the authentic natural detail of Nancy Ekholm Burkert's art.
Maria Had a Little Llama / María Tenía Una Llamita
Angela Dominguez - 2013
But do you know Maria? With gorgeous, Peruvian-inspired illustrations and English and Spanish retellings, Angela Dominguez gives a fresh new twist to the classic rhyme. Maria and her mischievous little llama will steal your heart.
The Three Bears
Byron Barton - 1991
This sturdy board book edition is not too big, not too small, but just right for toddlers.Accompanied by bold and vibrant colored paintings, Barton's story includes the rhythmic refrain children love to hear.Supports the Common Core State Standards
Too Many Tamales
Gary Soto - 1993
Snow had fallen and the streets glittered. Maria's favorite cousins were coming over and she got to help make the tamales for Christmas dinner. It was almost too good to be true when her mother left the kitchen for a moment and Maria got to try on her beautiful diamond ring . . .This is the story of a treasure thought to be lost in a batch of tamales; of a desperate and funny attempt by Maria and her cousins to eat their way out of trouble; and the warm way a family pulls together to make it a perfect Christmas after all.
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.
The Boy Who Drew Cats
Margaret Hodges - 2002
He drew them everywhere, even where they should not be: on the temple walls and in the priest's books. Although the cats sometimes got the boy in trouble, one day they found a way to reward their skillful creator.
Mulan: The Legend of the Woman Warrior
Faye-Lynn Wu - 2019
She will do anything for them—even if it means joining the army in her ageing father’s place. Since girls are not allowed in the army, Mulan cleverly disguises herself as a man. But she must look deep within herself to find her might and her courage.Faye-Lynn Wu and Joy Ang turn this ancient Chinese ballad into an uplifting, empowering ode to young girls everywhere, showing that true strength comes from within, regardless of appearance, inspiring a new generation of women warriors. The book also includes the original ballad.
John Henry: An American Legend
Ezra Jack Keats - 1965
in full color. The Caldecott Medalist's powerful classic is now reissued in a handsome paperback edition, as well as a library edition.
The Random House Book of Fairy Tales
Amy Ehrlich - 1985
A lush treasury of 19 fairy tales that generations of children have grown up on, lushly illustrated by Diane Goode.
Puss in Boots
Charles Perrault - 1697
So the question arises: Do we really need another edition of Puss? Presented with Fred Marcellino's magnificent interpretation of this nimble new translation of the authentic text, book lovers young and old are apt to decide that this Puss in Boots belongs on their shelf of special favorites.Long regarded as the preeminent designer of book jackets in America, Fred Marcellino provides an unstinting visual feast in his first full-color picture book. The eadventures of that rascal, Puss, and his master, the miller's sonare portrayed in a lavish series of illustrations that range from sumptuous grandeur to comedy both boisterous and sly.