Tales from Japan (Oxford Myths and Legends)
from Oxford University Press, USA
Full of magic and wonder, these are tales of wicked giants and fairy children, beautiful princesses and fearless warriors. This extraordinary collection of stories from Japan are lively retellings of legends and fairy tales that include the great story of the creation of the world and the tale of a magical coat that makes people invisible. Meet the Sea Spirit, the Moon God, the Emperor Kiyomori, Dragon Princess and many other magical characters. Here, too, are folktales of woodcutters and fisherman who enter strange, enchanted worlds. This delightful mix of stories joyfully evokes the beauty and culture of Japan: its people, its animals, and its landscape. (Reissue of Japanese Tales and Legends, 0-19-274140-3)
The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale
by Laurence Yep
from HarperTrophy
When a poor farmer falls into the clutches of a dragon, only Seven, his youngest daughter, will save him—by marrying the beast.
Publishers Weekly praised "Yep's elegant, carefully crafted storytelling" and Mak's "skillfully and radiantly rendered illustrations" in this captivating and luminous Chinese variation of the beauty and the beast tale.
A 1998 Notable Children's Trade Book in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
A 1997 Pick of the Lists (ABA)
The Legend of the Persian Carpet
by Tomie dePaola
from Putnam Juvenile
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.
101 Read-Aloud Asian Myths and Legends
from Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
BD&L's successful "Read-Aloud" series continues with this engaging collection of myths, legends and stories from Japan, China, Vietnam, Korea and Tibet.
The vibrant cultures of the East come vividly to life in this lovingly compiled assortment of stories, each of which can be read aloud in approximately 10 minutes. Here are tales designed to introduce eager young listeners to the deities, heroes, heroines, kings, queens, monsters, beasts and glories of Asian culture. 101 Read-Aloud Asian Myths and Legends is a must for every child's bookshelf, the perfect read at bedtime, and a gift that will both enlighten and entertain in equal measure.
The Land of the Dragon King and Other Korean Stories
from Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Basho and the Fox
by Tim Myers
from Marshall Cavendish Corporation
How Tiger Got His Stripes: A Folktale from Vietnam (Story Cove: a World of Stories)
by Rob Cleveland
from August House
Many years ago, the proudest animal in teh jungle was not the peacock. The proudest animal was the tiger. In this folktale from Vietnam, we see how Tiger's pride leads him to covet wisdom, and with the help of a wise farmer, earn his stripes.
Los Seis Ciegos Y El Elefante (Hello Reader)
by Karen Backstein
from Scholastic Paperbacks
Two Cakes Fit for a King: Folktales from Vietnam (A Latitude 20 Book)
by Nguyen Nguyet Cam
from University of Hawaii Press
For centuries, Vietnamese have sustained the history of their nation, both actual and mythic, through their folklore. These stories, passed from generation to generation, contain not only the national saga, but also fundamental cultural values that Vietnamese hold dear. Some stories, like "A Daughter's Love," are imaginative accounts of early Vietnamese history. Others, like "The Anger of the Waters" and the title story, "Two Cakes Fit for a King," provide colorful explanations of the world and how it works. "The Story of Watermelon Island" offers readers a glimpse of the traditional agrarian values and way of life that are the foundation of Vietnamese society. Imaginative and captivating, funny and sometimes tragic, these tales have remained popular and culturally significant for Vietnamese, young and old, for hundreds of years. The intricate illustrations draw on centuries-old painting styles and on natural imagery and everyday life in Vietnam.
The Rumor: A Jataka Tale from India
from Maple Tree Press
"The world is breaking up!"
As the worrywart hare tries to settle down for a quiet nap in her favorite sun-dappled grove of palms and mango trees, she is startled into action by a sudden and very loud explosion. Convinced that the world is breaking up, the hare tears out of the grove, into a thicket, across a marshland, through a forest, out into the brushland and onto the open plain. Along the way, she spreads her alarming news, gathering an ever-increasing herd of terrified animals: hares, wild boars, deer, tigers, and rhinos. The stampede continues and the frenzy grows, until one wise voice prevails....
Long known for her vibrant and exquisitely detailed storyscapes, award-winning author and illustrator Jan Thornhill does not disappoint here. This beautifully told traditional story, set in India's lush landscapes, is a very special rendition of the classic "sky is falling" fable known and loved around the world.
The richness of the art adds layers to the deceptively simple fable -- young readers will love to pore over the hidden details Jan Thornhill has placed in each scene. Nature Notes at the back of the book give additional information on the flora, and fauna featured in the story. The Rumor is a true classic -- perfect for reading aloud again and again.
