How Snake Got His Hiss
By Marguerite W. Davol
(Orchard Books 1996)
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

While the title suggests that this is a retold folktale, it's an original conceptualization of how the snake's shape and sound evolved. Young listeners will love the join-along sound effects.

How the Sky's Housekeeper Wore Her Scarves
By Patricia Hooper
(Little, Brown and Company 1995)
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

A one-in-a-million contemporary folktale that seems to have been passed down in many traditions forever; yet it is a new, bright, original story of the origin of the rainbow, straight from the imagination of Patricia Hooper. Children ages 4 and older will love to hear the readalouder portray the old woman (old here is not a pejorative – she is millennia old), who cheerfully maintains the sun, moon and stars, while finding a way to merge rain and sun.

Moon and Otter and Frog
By Laura Simms
(Hyperion 1995)
Reading Time: 14 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

A lovely Modoc myth intended for children 4 and older to explain both the waxing and waning of the moon and the idea that true beauty radiates form within. The readalouder will enjoy contrasting dialogue between Little Green Ugly Frog, whose voice is soft and unsure with that of sometimes quizzical Moon, and generally confident Otter.

One Grain of Rice
By Demi
(Scholastic Press 1997)
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

A wonderful retelling of a traditional Indian tale wherein the hungry eat well thanks to the good heart and clever mind of Rani, a young village girl who outsmarts the Raja himself. Mathematically, Demi shows how a simple grain of rice, multiplied each day, can soon feed an entire region. She not only retells an interesting tale but also provides food for thought and a springboard for discussion: how might we each save in a simple, easy way so that each of us could help others in need? The reader can begin the narrative slowly, then read each successive passage a little more rapidly to heighten the dramatic effect.

Rosie's Fiddle
By Phyllis Root
(Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books 1997)
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

Root's smart, saucy, no-nonsense heroine doesn't trouble herself with outsmarting rajas and kings, but rather takes on the Devil himself. In this original folktale, Rosie not only outfiddles the Devil and brings him to his knees, but nurtures the town as well. Rather than providing the townspeople with rice or wheat, the music Rosie plays nourishes their very souls. To be read enthusiastically and joyfully!

Sally Ann Thunder and Whirlwind Crockett
Retold by Steven Kellog
(Morrow Junior Books 1995)
Reading Time: 11 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

A truly tall tale based on legends in the Davy Crockett almanacs, which indicate that women were thought as able as men to cope with rugged frontier challenges. We can read with tongue literally in cheek as Sally Ann bursts into the world talking in sentences; takes by storm her doting parents, often jealous nine brothers, and later Davy Crockett himself conquering a band of alligators and ultimately beats the mightiest wrestler on the Mississippi. The readalouder can entertain listeners by reading faster and more animatedly with every page!

The Enchanted Stories: A Tale of Baghdad
Retold by Aaron Shepard
(Clarion Books 1995)
Reading Time: 18 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

In this Middle Eastern folktale of two brothers, one conniving with sorcerers and magicians for the throne and possessions of the other, the pitfalls of deceit and trickery are neatly demonstrated. The dialogue provides the readalouder with the chance to portray royalty turned to storks in proud, then frightened voices; a loud haughty pretender to the throne, and a soft-voiced woodpecker who saves the day. Children 4 and older will be enchanted by the drama of the story as well as by the bright, vivid illustrations.

The Sweetest Fig
By Chris Van Allsburg
(Houghton Mifflin, 1993)
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

This sure-to-become-a-classic modern day fable of retributive justice enables the readalouder to play the most unsympathetic, cruel-to-his-animal, selfish antihero, Monsieur Bibot, with great flourish to laughing listeners ages 4 and older.

Tops and Bottoms
Adapted by Janet Stevens
(Harcourt, Brace & Co. 1995)
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Ages: 4 and older

Though Stevens credits European and old-South folktales as the basis for this delightful story, it seems plenty original. Children ages 4 and older will love to hear the readalouder portray sleepy bear and clever hare, contrasting their tones and voices – one slow and heavy, the other light and energetic. With nary a preach, author Stevens simultaneously teaches a lesson in vegetable growing and reaping the rewards of one's efforts. It's a guaranteed super good time for the entire family.

When Birds Could Talk and Bats Could Sing
By Virginia Hamilton
(The Blue Sky Press 1996)
Reading Time: From 8 to 18 minutes per selection
Ages: 4 and older

This beautifully written anthology will charm children 4 and older. Here Hamilton retells the stories of Alabama's foremost folklorist, Martha Young, whose adventures of Bruh Sparrow, Sis Wren and their friends have been popular for several generations. The readalouder can use mild dialect or read selections straightforwardly, and steadily, frequently making eye contact with listeners. That will help drive the moral of the stories home even before the discussion, which most certainly will ensue begins.

Br'er Tiger and the Big Wind
By William Faulkner
(Morrow Junior Books 1995)
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Ages: 5 and older

A spirited retelling of a traditional slave tale, wherein the clever underdog rabbit outwits the terrible brutal beastly tiger. The dialogue enables the readalouder to take the role of an old-time southern storyteller, adopt a dialect or accent, and have great fun. Children ages 5 and older will love the "all's well that ends well" adventure of small and good triumphing over big and selfish.

Caterina: The Clever Farm Girl
By Julienne Peterson
(Dial Books for Young Readers 1996)
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Ages: 5 and older

In this retelling of a Tuscan folktale, Caterina captivates the heart of the King and, once married to him, continually gives him good and just advice. When the King rebels and banishes Caterina, she delightfully outwits him to the end. The readalouder will enjoy reading Caterina in a confident steady voice, and contrasting it with the foolish King who shouts loudly, mostly on deaf ears.

Coyote and the Magic Words
By Phyllis Root
(Lothrop, Lee and Shepard 1993)
Reading Time: 12 minutes including endnote
Ages: 5 and older

A first-class original tale using Coyote, world literature trickster, to personify the entrance of discord into a harmoniously created universe. The Master of All Things had created a wonderfully balanced world, a beautiful world, where words uttered were wishes come true. Enter Coyote, who disrupts the once-perfect equation with his mischief, cunning and resulting strife. A blend of original thought, old characters, and legends into a stunningly new and thought-provoking creation story. The part of Coyote can be read with much mischief in the voice and manner of the readalouder to listeners ages 5 and older.

Nursery Tales Around the World
By Judy Sierra
(Clarion 1996)
Reading Time: Selections vary from 5 to 12 minutes each
Ages: 5 and older

An important collection because the author chooses themes prevalent in children's literature worldwide, and then presents several selections illustrative of each of them. Thus, in the "Runaway Cookie" section, we find the familiar Gingerbread Man from the United States, and the not so familiar variations, "The Pancake" from Norway and "The Bun" from Russia. In this section, regardless of the country of origin or the variations in characterizations, the same message rings clearly ‘round the world: Child, do not run off by yourself and then trust a stranger.

By Margaret Hodges
(Orchard Books 1993)
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Ages: 5 and older
AND
Dream Peddler
By Gail E. Haley
(Dutton 1993)
Reading Time: 14 minutes
Ages: 5 and older

Both of these books tell the same story about a man who, contrary to reason, follows his dreams and finds great wealth as a result. Both are based on the 15^th century British tale of the "Peddler of Swaffen," and both read aloud wonderfully. Saint Patrick and the Peddler, set in Ireland, allows the readalouder with a bent for a brogue to have fun with it, while Dream Peddler can be done with a British accent for those who want to try. Both books will be appreciated by children 5 and older.

The Hired Hand
By Robert D. San Souci
(Dial Books for Young Readers 1997)
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Ages: 5 and older

San Souci has recast an old Southern folktale to give a contemporary message: There's no free ride. Honesty and hard work are necessary ingredients to living a decent life. There's lots of dialect for the readalouder to try; and several different contrasting portrayals, including a hard working, straight and narrow father; a lazy, dishonest son; and a stranger who saves the day.

The Lion's Whiskers: An Ethiopian Folktale
By Nancy Raines Day
(Scholastic 1995)
Reading Time: 13 minutes
Ages: 5 and older

In a twist on wicked stepmother stories of some folk literature, this Ethiopian story tells of a stepson mean to his loving, wanting-to-be-loved stepmother. Finally, with the help of a wise man and a ferocious lion, she learns that keeping her distance brings her stepson close. The reader can portray the distinct voices of the stepson's cruel whines, offset by his stepmother's patient tones, to children 5 and older. An engrossing story for all families, it's particularly wonderful for discussion within blended families.

Retold by Howard Schwartz
(Viking 1996)
Reading Time: From 5 to 15 minutes per selection
Ages: 6 and older

An excellent compilation of Jewish folktales and legends, with rich explanatory material accompanying them. The book exquisitely evokes images of the golden pink city through the variegated page colors, and delicate illustrations. Each tale provides ample opportunity for discussion of the timeless issues it raises.

This collection is valuable in that it provides many tried and true read-alouds for young children, and for children ages 5 and older, it's a great opportunity to discuss the development of similar stories in different cultures, and the universal messages intended.

The Two Brothers
By Minfong Ho and Saphan Ros
(Lothrop, Lee and Shephard Books)
Reading Time: 20 minutes
Ages: 6 and older

In exercises of free will to fulfill predestined prophecies, one Cambodian brother attains immediate wealth and luxury while the other toils in poverty. Finally, when the poor brother at last takes the advice offered him when young, he too finds material as well as personal reward. The readalouder will find an abundance of challenging characters to portray to children ages 6 and older, including a scheming deceitful wife, a bargaining monster, a good king, wise queen, and two very different brothers. A good springboard for discussion of making and changing choices, truth versus deceit, and sibling relationships.