Book picks similar to
Why The Sky Is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson
africa
picture-books
childrens
folk
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.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Stephen Carpenter - 1998
Three clever billy goats outwit a big, ugly troll that lives under the bridge they must cross on their way up the mountain.
Tomás and the Library Lady
Pat Mora - 1997
Colon's beautiful scratchboard illustrations, in his textured, glowingly colored, rhythmic style, capture the warmth and the dreams that the boy finds in the world of books. A 1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List Book.
The Little Red Hen
Diane Muldrow - 1954
P. Miller's graphic, colorful farm animals seem to jump right off the page--but they aren't jumping to help the Little Red Hen plant her wheat! Young children will learn a valuable lesson about teamwork from this funny, favorite folktale.
Thunder Rose
Jerdine Nolen - 2003
Coretta Scott King Honor Book Thunder Rose vows to grow up to be more than just big and strong, thank you very kindly--and boy, does she ever! But when a whirling storm on a riotous rampage threatens, has Rose finally met her match? Jerdine Nolen's wondrous tale and Kadir Nelson's outstanding illustrations bring to life this larger-than-life story about a resilient young girl who overcomes adversity even in the face of mother nature.
Prince Cinders
Babette Cole - 1987
. . . A madcap, highly entertaining spoof."--Publishers Weekly "Would bring giggles to any age."--School Library Journal
Goldilocks and Just the One Bear
Leigh Hodgkinson - 2012
One day, Little Bear wanders out of the woods and finds himself lost in the Big City. Will he find the city too noisy? Too quiet? Or just right? And what are the chances of him bumping in to someone who remembers exactly how he likes his porridge?
The Name Jar
Yangsook Choi - 2001
So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week.Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning.On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
Eugene Trivizas - 1993
But the little wolves' increasingly sturdy dwellings are no match for the persistent porker, who has more up his sleeve than huffing and puffing. It takes a chance encounter with a flamingo pushing a wheelbarrow full of flowers to provide a surprising and satisfying solution to the little wolves' housing crisis. Eugene Trivizas's hilarious text and Helen Oxenbury's enchanting watercolors have made this delightfully skewed version of the traditional tale a contemporary classic.
Not Your Typical Dragon
Dan Bar-el - 2013
But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn't come out—only whipped cream! Each time Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up with Band-Aids marshmallows teddy bears? Crispin wonders if he’ll ever find his inner fire. But when a family emergency breaks out, it takes a little dragon with not-so-typical abilities to save the day. With wry humor and whimsical illustrations, Not Your Typical Dragon is the perfect story for any child who can't help feeling a little bit different.
Home
Carson Ellis - 2015
Home may be on the road or the sea, in the realm of myth, or in the artist's own studio. A meditation on the concept of home.
Johnny Appleseed
Reeve Lindbergh - 1990
Rhymed text and illustrations relate the life of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend and left a legacy still enjoyed today.
Jack and the Baked Beanstalk
Colin Stimpson - 2012
So when Jack comes home with only an old can of baked beans in return for their last few pennies, his mother throws it out the window. Overnight it grows into a gigantic baked beanstalk, which takes Jack to the castle of a giant who spends all his time counting his huge fortune. Jack helps the giant to find something more fun to do, and saves the café in the process!
The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story
Rebecca Hickox Ayres - 1998
Since Maha's father is away fishing most of the time, there is no one to help or comfort her. All that begins to change when Maha finds a magical red fish. In return for sparing his life, the fish promises to help Maha whenever she calls him. On the night Maha is forbidden to attend a grand henna to celebrate the coming wedding of a wealthy merchant's daughter, the fish is true to his word. His magic sets in motion a chain of events that reward Maha with great happiness, and a dainty golden sandal is the key to it all.Rebecca Hickox's eloquent retelling and Will Hillenbrand's lush pictures offer a beguiling version of a story well-loved by many cultures the world over.
Goal!
Mina Javaherbin - 2010
In a dusty township in South Africa, Ajani and his friends have earned a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball. They kick. They dribble. They run. They score. These clever boys are football champions! But when a crew of bullies tries to steal their ball, will Ajani and his friends be able to beat them at their own game?