. . . but when Turtle throws a party of his own, Anansi is in for a surprise. Dear Turtle, I'm having a party. You're invited. But when Turtle arrives, he learns Anansi forgot to mention it's a costume party--so he goes home to try on different outfits. Then he finds out he was supposed to bring a dish. . . and by the time he's all ready, Anansi tells him the party is already over.To get back at the Spider, Turtle throws his own party, with punch and cake and games. But when Anansi wins a game, the prize isn't what he expected.A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year.Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series is full of slapstick humor and mischief. Eric A. Kimmel's imaginative retellings combined with Janet Stevens' expressive illustrations create the perfect silly stories for fun-loving kids.

    When King Balash's precious diamond is stolen, the grief-stricken king can no longer rule, and the country falls into chaos, until a clever young boy comes up with a scheme to bring the jewel's radiance back into the palace.

    . . . A wonderful book--wry, touching, funny, and completely satisfying".--School Library Journal, starred review. Full color. IRA/CBC Teachers' Choice; winner of the Bologna Book Fair "Critici in Erba" Prize; School Library Journal Best Book.

    It teaches children the ins-and-outs of his finishing moves, his nicknames, signature taunts and manager, as well as helping them become more comfortable with reading.

    Included are the Shepherd Boy and The Wolf, the Lion and the Mouse, the Tortoise and the Hare, plus many other charactersand moralsthat have inspired countless readers for centuries. With more than fifty magnificent full-color illustrations, this handsome edition is a must for every bookshelf.

    He’s a fierce warrior, even beating the giant Culcullan and saving Ireland from the Scots. Helpful and kind, he helps the farmers bring in the hay. And everyone in the village of Drumnahoon admires him. “He’s the best-hearted man that ever walked on Ireland’s green grass.” But for all his strength, courage, and goodness, there’s one thing that Finn lacks. He’s just not smart. And he knows it. When a wise man living in a nearby village tells Finn about a magical red salmon with the wisdom of the world, Finn sets out to catch the fish. And he learns a thing or two about himself in the process.

    Trouble is, Crocodile is hungry, too—for Monkey! Will clever Monkey come up with a way to get the mangoes and escape Crocodile's sharp teeth? Master storyteller and artist Gerald McDermott brings the vibrant colors of India to his telling of this classic trickster tale, which has plenty of cleverness and a sprinkling of mischief.

    His crying keeps the rattlesnake elders up all night so his parents give him a new rattle. Sure enough, he misuses his new rattle. When he tries to scare the chief's daughter, she steps on his rattle and crushes it. Sad and defeated, he returns to his forgiving family who give him big rattlesnake hugs.

    Candace finds herself cast out of her home by jealous older sisters, but with the help of a witch woman and a magical moss gown, she captures the heart of the young plantation owner.

    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.

    Illustrated by award-winning artists.

    A forgetful boy gets himself into trouble.

    . . . . . until Rainbow descended to bestow her colors on the creatures of the world. Each bird asked for a bright and beautiful color: green for Parrot, red for Cardinal, and yellow for Canary. But will there be any colors left for little Gouldian Finch? He soon learns the power of patience and the beauty of all creatures.Based on a Belgian folktale, this beautifully told and illustrated tale is a timeless treasure for every collection.

    Beloved storyteller Patricia Polacco draws from her Russian heritage to retell folktales and rhymes from Mother Goose, Aesop, and Ukrainian folklore that reflect the heart and homeland of her storyteller grandmother, her Babushka. As in all her work, Polacco's enchanting patterns and bold colors provide the perfect match for the stories and rhymes.A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year

    He's also the silliest, most lovable, most muddleheaded possum south of the Mason-Dixon line!Better choose your words wisely when he's around, 'cause otherwise you never know what you'll get. Epossumondas just might bring you a fist full of crumbs, or a soaking wet puppy, or a scruffy wad of bread--oh, you just wouldn't believe it!Renowned storyteller Coleen Salley and Caldecott Honor illustrator Janet Stevens team up for this outrageous twist on the Southern story of the noodlehead who takes everything way too literally. (Or is that Epossumondas just pulling his mama's leg?)