This beautiful hardback anthology retells 15 classic folk tales with fearless, inspiring girls at their center, exquisitely illustrated in full-color by award-winning artist Khoa Le .
Meet fifteen heroines who defy convention, challenge expectations and forge their own happy endings in this selection of unforgettable folk tales. These role models defy stereotypes, strike out with courage and provide wonderful feminist role models for young readers. Read about brave Elisa, who rescues her brothers from a terrible curse; free-spirited Leelinau, who breaks tradition and chooses her own future; and clever Princess Pyeonggang, who saves a whole country with her wits!
Stories • Leelinau, the Lost Daughter (North American, Chippewa) • Catherine and her Destiny (Italy) • Elisa and the Swans (Germany) • How the Moon Was Made (Maori) • The Green Serpent (France) • The King and his Daughters (India) • The Little Sister of the Giants (Brazil) • Timun Mas (Indonesia) • Clever Daughter-in-law (Mongolia) • Princess and the God (India) • Princess Pyeonggang (Korea) • Golden Maiden (Armenia) • Bridekins (Croatia) • Ayanna the One-Handed Girl (Kenya) • Soliday and the Bird of Darkness (Nigeria)
Each tale is brought to life by the mesmerizing artwork of Khoa Le. A perfect gift for children aged 8+.
ABOUT THE SERIES : Arcturus Publishing's Inspiring Heroines series retells classic children's stories, showcasing strong female protagonists who strike out against adversity and smash stereotypes. Featuring enchanting full-color illustrations by Khoa Le, these empowering tales will inspire young readers to dream big.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a beautifully illustrated collection of short stories for girls to encourage their inner strength and inspiration. We meet fifteen inspirational females who don't settle for endings forged by others; they take control and make their own. Each of the fifteen stories is set in a different location around the world, and each one is inspiring, uplifting, and powerful in its own way.
This is another book in the Fearless Girls series that deals with strong girls who find their place in the world. This one presents folk tales based on oral history from different origin like the Chippewa, Maori, Tupi in Brazil, Turkana from Africa, Indian, Korean or Javanese but also German or Italian based stories. The diversity shows girls from all over the world in different situations that need strength, courage or simply kindness. Some motives may seem familiar but then situations are similar in different cultures. I liked that the stories were accompanied by lovely illustrations, though they sometimes didn´t show the different origin of the girls. Mostly the tales were enchanting, but some had also cruel elements that won´t be good for every child. I as an adult had no problem though. I liked the introduction that told a bit about what was to expect in the book, especially regarding stereotypes that appeared in some stories. Most though were encouraging girls to go their own way in compassion and strength. Thanks to Arcturus and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This is an eclectic group of stories and folk tales from across many different cultures and oral histories. What they do have in common is how they have survived, being treasured and retold to be finally committed to a written format. Furthermore, for his anthology they have been chosen because they reflect the courage, bravery and compassion of the female characters they recount.
Rewritten in a balanced number of pages the fifteen stories are of similar length and champion the role of women in such legends and tribal lore. With beautiful illustrations to maintain a young persons interest these are memorable accounts to inspire and share with enquiry minds.
The introduction expertly explains the books purpose and motivation in sharing these stories.
Reading them I certainly felt this sense of common ancestry and shared consciousness. With familiar tones and references to European folk stories previously read or fairy tales turned into commercial cartoons.
Undoubtedly there is a wide selection here without much repetition of the princess saga or the wicked stepmother. I like the sense of wholeness, being at one with nature and the pureness of spirit and love. I especially liked the wisdom to see beyond the obvious that crops up in some and the ability to overcome adversity when good fortune doesn’t always flow.
I would have welcomed more suggestions at the end on where else to go to find further stories and this lack of a bibliography was a disappointment.
However, within itself this book is a worthy collection of stories and will perhaps prompt readers/parents/relatives to seek out more of the same in a quest to understand better our world and shared literary heritage.
Arcturus, the publisher who brought up adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories and Shakespearean plays, now brings up folk tales to encourage courage and independence in girls. This is the fourth installment of books in the Inspiring Heroines series, and I’m kicking myself for only noticing now.
This volume brings up some well-known tales and variations on them: “Elisa and the Swans” (German), the King Lear-like “The King and His Daughters” (India) and a close variation of Snow White in “The Little Sister of the Giants” (swap in three giants for seven dwarfs to get this Brazilian myth). Lesser-know but wonderful are “Ayanna and the Magic Cooking Pot” (Kenya), “Iara and Her Brothers” (a mermaid tale from Brazil), “Princess Pyeonggang” (Korea), “Savitri’s Love” (India) and “Tuya, the Clever Daughter-in-Law” (Mongolia), my favorite.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This book is reminiscent of Folktales for Fearless Girls: The Stories We Were Never Told by Myriam Sayalero.
It again has stories that are allegory for different life lessons told from the mythological girls/women of the cultures they represent.
Overall a good collection of stories to have since they can be dissected or taken one by one to help with SEL learning goals or early readers practice their stamina in completing books.
And also, strong women -- always a plus in my book.
Folk Tales for Fearless Girls (Inspiring Heroines) by Samantha Newman
Ayanna and the magic Cooking pot Based on a Swahili story from Eastern Africa Kenya. The characters teach that its important to help others and that when you do it comes back to you. The story of Karma.
Catherine and her destiny, Based on an Italian tale, showing that you need to work for what you receive, and not just what you expect.
Elisa and the Swans Based on traditional German story. Elisa is given a harsh reality when she and her brothers are sent away from their father by a step mother. Interestingly it may show the historical explanation of turning Stinging Nettles into flax and cloth. It was a practice in Europe to make flax in to cloth, and stinging nettles. The process is very difficult and painful for the people who made it into cloth. The story shows this difficult process.
How the moon was made Based on Maori myths, from Aotearoa, the characters of Marama and Hana, go on a quest for fire. they use the Pohutukawa tree to find the access to the underworld, where they steal fire, but they are chased and they loose this fire, to the sky, it becomes the moon.
Iara and Her Brothers Based on a a tale from the Tupi people of Brazil, written in the rainforest it shows the nature of human greed and need. Iara, is transformed by magic into a mermaid.
The green serpent Based on a French tale, where Bellotte and Laidronette two sisters who struggle with the nature of magic, and greed.
The King and his daughters Based on a story from northern India, Rani, and Jia, show the two sides of the human ideal. But it is the youngest sister Lakia that shows that she has more thought then her sisters, but because of misunderstanding and assumption her family relationship is strained.
The little sister of giants Based on the Brazilian myths, showing the nature of understanding the relationship of family. That family is those we choose.
Timun Mas Based on a tradiontional Javanese tale. Mbok Srini, and Butho Ijo are gods who affect the relationships of humans.
Leelinau, the lost daughter Based of the story of Chippewa people of the great Lakes, North America. From around the Lake Superior a tribe finds problem with Leelinau and her brothers, that the miss understanding the familiar relationships is only shown through respect and understanding.
Anush, the golden Maiden Based on a traditional Armenian folk tale. In Armenia similar to Hansel and Gretel, that the two children Anush and Shen are abandoned by their father because of a step mother. They have more tests, and are threatened to be eaten by their family. Yet fairy magic is the solution to their problems.
Princess Pyeonggang Based on a story from south Korea, the kingdom of Goguryeo. Seeing the value of something maybe hard for others.
Savitiri's Love Based on a traditional folk tale from western India. Love is something you cam stand up for. It is something of value that you need to fight for with equal measure.
Tuya, the clever daughter-in-law Based on a story from Mongolia. A smart man values a smart leader. And a smart leader knows thd value of those behind them.
Nayece, the mother of all Based on a traditional Turkana folk tale from north-eastern Africa Learning to live a new way is hard. But when you find a new way its easy to teach others.
Book Review: Folk Tales for Fearless Girls by Samantha Newman and Mx Khoa Le (Illustrator).
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars
Summary: Within the pages of this anthology, readers will meet fifteen heroines who defy conventions, shatter expectations, and create their own happy endings. From Elisa, the brave sister who saves her brothers from a terrible curse, to Leelinau, the free-spirited girl who breaks tradition to choose her own destiny, each tale showcases the strength and resilience of these remarkable protagonists. Additionally, readers will encounter the clever Princess Pyeonggang, who uses her wit to save an entire country, and Ayanna, the one-handed girl from Kenya who overcomes adversity. These unforgettable stories offer young readers a wonderful glimpse into the world of fearless girls who challenge societal norms and carve their own paths.
Thoughts on the Book: First and foremost, the cover of Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is absolutely enchanting. The beautifully illustrated cover sets the tone for what awaits inside. Khoa Le's illustrations throughout the book are equally mesmerizing, bringing each story to life with vibrant colors and intricate details. The artwork truly enhances the reading experience and adds depth to the already captivating tales.
One of the standout features of this anthology is its diversity. Each story hails from a different cultural background, giving readers a global perspective and exposing them to a wide range of traditions and customs. From North America to Italy, Germany to Maori, India to Brazil, and beyond, Folk Tales for Fearless Girls celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures found across the world.
Additionally, I appreciate how each story is distinct, offering a fresh and unique narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Samantha Newman's storytelling abilities shine through as she skillfully weaves together these timeless tales, presenting them in a way that feels both classic and contemporary.
Conclusion: Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a remarkable anthology that encourages young readers to embrace their individuality, challenge stereotypes, and forge their own paths. Through the captivating narratives of fifteen fearless heroines, this book provides a much-needed dose of inspiration and empowerment. With its stunning illustrations by Khoa Le and its diverse range of stories from various cultures, this anthology is not only informative but also a delight to read. Whether as a gift or for personal enjoyment, Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a must-have addition to any young reader's bookshelf.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
this isn’t all of the tales, just the ones i wrote something down for
How the Moon Was Made -> cute
Elisa and the Swans -> six crimson crows anyone
Iara and her Brothers -> just awful! just awful! her brothers try to kill her becuase she’s cool and they’re jealous, she kills them in self defense, gets accused of murder, is drowned by her village, is turned into a mermaid, and murders men i thought this would be a neat story of a girl chief but instead we get a tale of femicide but it ok she just murders people now full of death just reeking with death !
The Green Serpent -> part sleeping beauty part beauty and the beast part psyche and Eros part underworld ???
The Little Sister of the Giants -> Snow White, Brazil edition love it excpet did the step mom ever get i trouble ? i dont remember. I could check but I won’t
Timun Mas -> cute
Leelinau, the Lost Daughter -> i got sO hype when i saw this was in here
Savriti’s Love -> i swear this was in the other one idk if it was but it WAS a ted-ed video. the comments told of different versions where she got everything in one wish, and i like that better. extremely clever “i wish for my father-in-law to see his grandchild become king” i think was the most succinct one, tho there were others. i do like the rule of 3 format tho, and another comment said she was initially offered things like wealth but refused, so i think that and the one wish would be my favorite version this one is just extremely sick it’s so lit
i really like these books but so far i haven’t found one i liked the whole time. there’s always one tale that i don’t like for whatever reason. but overall i’m loving these books, and the art is so beautiful.
“Folktales for Fearless Girls” is a collection of folktales from around the world that feature spunky, smart, clever, kind, and fearless girls and women. Author Samantha Newman’s adaptations of the stories are short and use language accessible to young children. Khoa Le’s illustrations are detailed and colorful. They often enhance the tension in the stories.
I love that the girls in the stories are praised for their cleverness. I found it interesting that several wanted to live apart from their groups either to experience solitude or to live in harmony with nature. Each of the girls in these stories is unique.
This book is great for people of all ages who like traditional folktales or stories featuring strong female characters.
Classroom Considerations: This book would be great to have as an example if students are studying folktales. “Folktales for Fearless Girls” could also be used as a read aloud at times when only a few minutes are left in class. Most of the stories would take 5-15 minutes to read aloud. It would be great if teachers could get access to a slide deck of the illustrations to project in class. This would help students visualize the stories and also give them a great example of illustrations to match a folktale.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This beautifully illustrated book shares folk tales from around the world about girls who find their own happy endings no matter what happens in their stories. The book tells short tales about girls from a variety of places and cultures, including the Chippewa tribe of North America, Italy, Germany, Maori, France, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Korea, Armenia, Croatia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
One of the standout elements of this book are the stunning illustrations. They are gorgeous and the perfect complement to the stories. They help bring the cultures readers are less familiar with to life. The illustrations are full of beautiful details and bright colors.
The stories are also beautiful. Readers may be familiar with a few stories, but the diversity of them means that most readers will find several they've never heard before. They may also enjoy that stories from places in the world they haven't learned a lot about have similar themes and empowering heroines no matter where they come from.
This is a wonderful anthology to have in a classroom to introduce students to stories from different cultures or to read aloud to children at bedtime.
Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a collection of 15 short stories from different cultures thats feature young girls fighting through various challenges and showcases their strength and resilience. The illustrations throughout the book are absolutely gorgeous and this could be a great book for classrooms or for children at home. The last 6 stories are my favorites. i believe the first half of the book leads with the girls going through excessive amounts of suffering before having their moment to shine or just dealing with incompetent men, For that reason I would suggest sharing these stories with children alongside other fairy tales or during conversations on the ability to rise up while refusing to accept cruel behaviors of others.
„Приказки на народите за безстрашни момичета“ е впечатляващ сборник, съставен от Саманта Нюмън и издаден от ИК „Хермес“. След „Приказки за безстрашни момичета” и „Историите на Шекспир за деца“, това е вече трети том, илюстрован от виетнамската художничка Хуа Лей. Тази книга е истинско съкровище за любителите на приказки, които търсят вдъхновение и сила в историите на смели и независими героини. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
A wonderful collection of short stories with one key aspect in common - fearless girls! This would be a wonderful read for young girls, and it also provides insight into folklore from different cultures all around the world. Simply written with beautiful illustrations. Recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for a free digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short tales, and especially liked the diversity of them; learning about different cultures is one of my favourite things to do and folk tales help you see a glimpse of these different cultures.
I love that this selection focused on female protagonists, showing that women are (and have been portrayed as) strong all over the world.
I'd recommend this lovely book, which also includes beautiful illustrations.
I really liked this collection of folk stories. Some were familiar and some were completely new and delighted me. I appreciated the diversity represented across the collection, not only the locations and people groups all over the world, but also the different kinds of girls in each story, showing different kinds of bravery and kindness for young people to learn from.
This wonderful collection of tales was a joy to read. I loved the variety of the cultures and types of tales included. The illustrations dotted throughout the book were lovely. I enjoyed reading this collection.