Book picks similar to
The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland by Aaron Shepard


picture-books
scandinavia
picture-books-fairy-tales-folktales
childrens-poetry

The Rough-Face Girl


Rafe Martin - 1998
    But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world.The dramatic illustrations reflect the vibrant earth colors of the native landscape and the wisdom and sensitivity of the protagonist.

Landed


Milly Lee - 2006
    His father warnshim, though, that passage will not be easy. Because of the 1882Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants like Sun are detainedat Angel Island until they are called to take a difficult oralexam before they can "land" - leave Angel Island and goashore. On the boat, Sun had studied maps of his village andmemorized facts about his ancestors. But as the weeks pass indetainment, the map's compass points swirl in his memory, andSun worries that he will lose his direction and be turned away.The oil paintings are rich with historical details in this vividrecounting, based on the author's father-in-law's experiences, ofa disturbing chapter in Chinese American history.

The Lion and the Mouse: An Aesop Fable Retold


Bernadette Watts - 1980
    The lion awakens with a roar, but he lets the mouse go free. In gratitude, the mouse promises to help the lion if he is ever in need. The lion laughs at the very idea, but sometimes even a little mouse can be strong, and even a lion can be helpless. Bernadette Watts has created an appealing jungle setting for her simple retelling of a favorite Aesop fable.

Vasilissa the Beautiful: A Russian Folktale


Elizabeth Winthrop - 1991
    A retelling of the old Russian fairy tale in which beautiful Vasilissa uses the help of her doll to escape from the clutches of the witch Baba Yaga.

Coyote Steals the Blanket


Janet Stevens - 1993
    It's only with the help of a wise hummingbird that he escapes a bad end.Set in the canyonlands of the American south-west, Caledcott Honoree Janet Stevens' illustrations are kid friendly and action-packed. A great read-aloud to gently show kids that it's not a bad idea to listen to good advice and that it's wrong to take what isn't yours.

Coyote Places the Stars


Harriet Peck Taylor - 1993
    Instead, he finds a way to make the most wonderful pictures for all the world to see. The next night, the other animals of the canyon look up to the sky, where they see a big surprise! Based on a Wasco Indian legend, this story about the origin of the constellations is joyfully retold and vibrantly illustrated.

Babar Comes to America


Laurent de Brunhoff - 1965
    Babar, king of the elephants, receives an invitation to meet with the president of the United States—the perfect excuse for a family vacation! None of the elephants have been to America before, so Babar packs up his family and sets off to see the sights. From the hustle and bustle of New York to the wide open spaces of the Grand Canyon, from riding streetcars in San Francisco to fishing on Lake Michigan, Babar and his family experience America in all its glory and splendor.With Laurent de Brunhoff’s thoughtful observations and lovable characters, which have made Babar a household name since 1931, this nostalgic look at the USA more than thirty years ago will captivate young readers as they marvel at how much has changed, while adults will take a trip down memory lane and see sights, signs, and more that had been forgotten.

The Water Dragon: A Chinese Legend


Jian Li - 2012
    He spent his days in the forest, collecting wood to trade for food. One day, the boy made a wondrous discovery: a magic stone that caused his money jar and rice crocks to overflow, both of which he shared with the poor villagers.But strange things began to happen. It no longer rained. The crops died. The rivers dried up. A terrible drought had struck and would not release its grip. The brave young boy, full of dreams of a white, water-spewing Dragon, took his magic stone on a journey—and discovered how to save his village.

Gorky Rises


William Steig - 1980
    This time he strikes upon the missing ingredient--half a bottle of his mother's attar of roses--and he knows it's success at last.While he is waiting for the bubbly, glinting liquid to show what it can do, he heads over to Elephant Rock, "his best spot for doing nothing." But on the way he stops to bask in the sun, soon falls asleep--and wakes to find himself floating in the immensely blue sky, clutching his bottle of magic.There follows the most astonishing, bewildering, and bedazzling adventure a young frog could possibly have. Orbiting the globe has its ups and downs, however, and Gorky soon begins to wonder if he'll ever get back to earth. He does manage to outwit the magic; but the potion saves a last surprise until Gorky reaches Elephant Rock, just on day later than he had planned.Gorky Rises is a 1980 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, Notable Children's Book of the Year, and Outstanding Book of the Year.

The Boy of the Three-Year Nap


Dianne Snyder - 1988
    Lazy Taro gets his comeuppance when his wise mother uses his trick to avoid work to her own advantage.

By the Light of the Halloween Moon


Caroline Stutson - 1993
    In this cumulative story, a host of Halloween spooks, including a cat, a witch, and a ghoul, are drawn to the tapping of a little girl's toe.

The Day I Met Dr. Seuss


Anne Emerick - 2012
    Seuss tells the funny rhyming story of Annie G. Magee, a young girl who wants to meet Dr. Seuss and find out what makes him so unique. Not content to simply write to Dr. Seuss, Annie travels to his house, summons her courage and knocks upon the door. Dr. Seuss is not at home, but Annie isn’t ready to give up quite yet.

D'Aulaires' Book of Norwegian Folktales


Ingri d'Aulaire - 1938
    First printed in 1938, this selection of timeless stories returns to enchant audiences all over again. Experience Norway’s magical world of cinderlads, princesses, and trolls throughout the pages of d’Aulaires’ Book of Norwegian Folktales.

Tikki Tikki Tembo


Arlene Mosel - 1968
    Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's classic re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale has hooked legions of children, teachers, and parents, who return, generation after generation, to learn about the danger of having such an honorable name as Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.

My Grandfather's Coat


Jim Aylesworth - 2014
    When my grandfather came to Americahe made himself a handsome coat!Then he wore it and he wore it and he wore it--until it was all worn out!So what did he do?He snipped and he clipped--and he stitched and he sewed...and out of the still-good cloth of his coat--he made himself a smart jacket!How many things can Grandfather makeout of that old frayed coat?