What do you think?
Rate this book
Best-Loved Folktales of the World
A collection of over 200 folk and fairy tales from all over the world, this is the only edition that encompasses all cultures. Arranged geographically by region, this book also includes category index groups that list the stories by plot and character.
816 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
54 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Cole
488 books204 followersJoanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 19, 2009
A great compendium of stories with the common hidden theme which you can find if you read them with your heart.
Some favorites:
Maid Lena: This story reveals that the source of our lack of energy and courage is the result of something being “dead at our center,” and the necessity of completing impossible tasks to win the princess and kingdom, or getting everything we want in life.
The Giant With No Heart In Its Body: This is the great example of a mythic/fairy tale archetype where the thing hidden is the heart itself, understood to be the source of our being.
The Firebird, The Horse of Power and The Princess Vassilisa: The story that teaches us that to live a live of real value we must embrace fear.
Some favorites:
Maid Lena: This story reveals that the source of our lack of energy and courage is the result of something being “dead at our center,” and the necessity of completing impossible tasks to win the princess and kingdom, or getting everything we want in life.
The Giant With No Heart In Its Body: This is the great example of a mythic/fairy tale archetype where the thing hidden is the heart itself, understood to be the source of our being.
The Firebird, The Horse of Power and The Princess Vassilisa: The story that teaches us that to live a live of real value we must embrace fear.
November 19, 2017
Joanna Cole’s compiled Best Loved Folktales of the World manages to, while covering familiar stories for children, show many folktales from places that students likely wouldn’t know. Not only are students shown stories that they are familiar with, such as “Snow White” but they will also can read stories like “Momotaro” from Japan, “How Ma-ui Fished Up the Great Island” from Hawaii, and “How Spider Obtained the Sky-God’s Stories” from the Ashanti Tribe in Africa. The sheer variety of stories is something that could help children to begin to see popular stories from other countries. Also, while many folklore books directly translate the names of characters, like Kagura-hime as ‘princess-bamboo-sprout’, this story uses the original names just like any other name. All in all, this anthology would help students to get a glimpse into other cultures and even learn more about stories from their own that they might not know.
This book has a great deal of use in the classroom. It seems that it would be best read out loud, likely to a class between third grade and fifth, but at fifth grade, it would be great independent reading. There is a lot that folklore can do in the classroom, particularly a book that has as many sources as the Best Loved Folktales of the World. There is a great deal that can be done in comparison. For instance, the book contains a version of a folktale mentioned in Stella by Starlight of people being able to fly, students could compare both folktales, note the differences and why such differences might exist. Disney movies such as Moana can be used as well. Another thing that can be done is for students to look for similarities between folklore across continents. For instance, looking at familiar stories against ones from China or Japan that likely never had contact with them. This could be both a wonderful way to learn comparison but also a way to bridge cultural gaps. A final writing assignment for students could be for them to, after reading this anthology, to work to construct their own folktale, using the language and tropes that they had seen.
There is a lot that folklore brings into the classroom. It brings a window for literature, social studies, writing, and culture that students might not have had the chance to look through before. It offers new perspectives on the things that they might have already seen and allows them to feel a little closer to cultures that they are not familiar with. In my teaching, I hope that I can use folklore in the classroom, because I firmly believe that no multicultural class is complete without it.
This book has a great deal of use in the classroom. It seems that it would be best read out loud, likely to a class between third grade and fifth, but at fifth grade, it would be great independent reading. There is a lot that folklore can do in the classroom, particularly a book that has as many sources as the Best Loved Folktales of the World. There is a great deal that can be done in comparison. For instance, the book contains a version of a folktale mentioned in Stella by Starlight of people being able to fly, students could compare both folktales, note the differences and why such differences might exist. Disney movies such as Moana can be used as well. Another thing that can be done is for students to look for similarities between folklore across continents. For instance, looking at familiar stories against ones from China or Japan that likely never had contact with them. This could be both a wonderful way to learn comparison but also a way to bridge cultural gaps. A final writing assignment for students could be for them to, after reading this anthology, to work to construct their own folktale, using the language and tropes that they had seen.
There is a lot that folklore brings into the classroom. It brings a window for literature, social studies, writing, and culture that students might not have had the chance to look through before. It offers new perspectives on the things that they might have already seen and allows them to feel a little closer to cultures that they are not familiar with. In my teaching, I hope that I can use folklore in the classroom, because I firmly believe that no multicultural class is complete without it.
November 11, 2015
got this book as an Easter gift when I was eight or nine and have referred to it numerous times.
January 25, 2020
It took me two months to slog through this fat bastard book, but I did it! Most of it was pretty entertaining, too. I enjoyed reading stories from around the world. It was fascinating to examine the similarities and differences. Books like this show you that humans everywhere face similar struggles (like poverty and loneliness). Cultures everywhere also value the same characteristics (bravery, intelligence). We’re more alike than we are different. That’s my biggest takeaway from this collection.
I was disappointed that the book is so Europe-focused. Europe takes up the biggest chunk of the 800 pages. I wanted more from the rest of the world. Maybe there hasn’t been a massive effort to collect and translate the rest of the world’s folktales? I know European folktales have been popular for centuries. That could explain why there are so many of them in this book.
I also think some of the stories could have been left out. I occasionally felt like I was reading the same story over and over. A lot of them have similar characters/themes/plots.
Am I glad that I spent two months reading this book? Yes! I learned a lot from it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
I was disappointed that the book is so Europe-focused. Europe takes up the biggest chunk of the 800 pages. I wanted more from the rest of the world. Maybe there hasn’t been a massive effort to collect and translate the rest of the world’s folktales? I know European folktales have been popular for centuries. That could explain why there are so many of them in this book.
I also think some of the stories could have been left out. I occasionally felt like I was reading the same story over and over. A lot of them have similar characters/themes/plots.
Am I glad that I spent two months reading this book? Yes! I learned a lot from it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
October 19, 2017
Ashenputtel
Ashenputtel was a Cinderella story that took place in Germany. I did enjoy the story and how it differed from the normal Disney version kids all over the united states know. Ashenputtel is the story of a young girl whose mother dies and she is given a twig which she cries over daily for her mother. This tree grows and birds come and nest in it, giving Ashenputtel anything she wishes for.
Germany was an interesting culture for the story to take place in. You can tell the stories is from Germany because instead on shoes they talk about clogs. Instead of her father dying near the beginning he becomes just as evil as the step-mother and two step-sisters. Also, I thought it was neat how there was not a fairy-god-mother, instead there was a magical tree and magical helpers.
I believe kids would enjoy this story whither in or out of the classroom. Believe it or not I actually do not want to be a teacher I want to be an author in teen reading, so I am more instead in them liking the book or not and if or if not they can put it down. Both authors and teachers want the same thing: the child’s mind to expand. Children will most defiantly enjoy this book.
Eros and Psych
I really enjoyed this story because there was some Greek mythology in it and I love Greek mythology. The Greek God of love, so Cupid or Eros, falls in love with a beautiful maiden named Psych. Eros’s mother finds out and prevents them from seeing one another. The only way Psych can get Eros back is by preforming a lot of near-impossible tasks, which she does. By the end Psych has Eros back.
This story is part Greek legend and myth. I tie to Greek myths because I am part Greek and Greek Gods really interest me. You can tell this story is Greek because they talk about how spacious the buildings are. Also, you can tell this is a fairytale because there are unreal creatures in the story like dragons.
Mythology makes me excited and I don’t want to put the book down. So yes I believe this would be a good bedtime story or a good story that is read to the class. The classroom would enjoy this story if they enjoy magic as much as I do. I feel like children of all ages could read this story and like it.
Ashenputtel was a Cinderella story that took place in Germany. I did enjoy the story and how it differed from the normal Disney version kids all over the united states know. Ashenputtel is the story of a young girl whose mother dies and she is given a twig which she cries over daily for her mother. This tree grows and birds come and nest in it, giving Ashenputtel anything she wishes for.
Germany was an interesting culture for the story to take place in. You can tell the stories is from Germany because instead on shoes they talk about clogs. Instead of her father dying near the beginning he becomes just as evil as the step-mother and two step-sisters. Also, I thought it was neat how there was not a fairy-god-mother, instead there was a magical tree and magical helpers.
I believe kids would enjoy this story whither in or out of the classroom. Believe it or not I actually do not want to be a teacher I want to be an author in teen reading, so I am more instead in them liking the book or not and if or if not they can put it down. Both authors and teachers want the same thing: the child’s mind to expand. Children will most defiantly enjoy this book.
Eros and Psych
I really enjoyed this story because there was some Greek mythology in it and I love Greek mythology. The Greek God of love, so Cupid or Eros, falls in love with a beautiful maiden named Psych. Eros’s mother finds out and prevents them from seeing one another. The only way Psych can get Eros back is by preforming a lot of near-impossible tasks, which she does. By the end Psych has Eros back.
This story is part Greek legend and myth. I tie to Greek myths because I am part Greek and Greek Gods really interest me. You can tell this story is Greek because they talk about how spacious the buildings are. Also, you can tell this is a fairytale because there are unreal creatures in the story like dragons.
Mythology makes me excited and I don’t want to put the book down. So yes I believe this would be a good bedtime story or a good story that is read to the class. The classroom would enjoy this story if they enjoy magic as much as I do. I feel like children of all ages could read this story and like it.
did-not-finish
March 26, 2024Read parts of this for homeschool in 2021-2022. Enjoyed what we read, but didn't get through the whole thing.
August 16, 2017
A nice collection, but a bit too Eurocentric.
June 5, 2016
This is an excellent collection of fairy tales. I really like that it includes stories from a wide variety of cultures, even if I feel that non-European ones are definitely underrepresented. Slightly more than half the book is spent on stories from various parts of Europe. Yes, these are often some of the major classics of fairy tales, but that also means that it'd be very easy to find them elsewhere. Grimms and the British Isles especially don't need to be quite so highly represented here, since the Americas are especially small sections. Still, this does at least manage to introduce the reader to a number of tales outside of the usual fairy tale canon, and the thorough copyright page will provide me with ample resources to explore tales from various cultures in further detail.
Obviously, nobody is going to love every single one of the 200 stories presented here, but there are still quite a few good ones. In addition to the stuff I'm already familiar with, some of my favorites include Don Demonio's Mother in Law, the various Fin MacCoul tales, Nail Broth (a fun twist on Stone Soup), The Tale of the Oki Islands, Drinking Companions, the various Anansi stories, The Talking Cat, and The Search for the Magic Lake. Some of these and many of the other stories had quite good female protagonists, which was fun to read. All in all, this is an excellent collection, and while it could be a bit more diverse, it's still a great starting point for anybody who wants to learn about fairy tales beyond the European ones that seem to be the only thing Disney is capable of adapting.
Obviously, nobody is going to love every single one of the 200 stories presented here, but there are still quite a few good ones. In addition to the stuff I'm already familiar with, some of my favorites include Don Demonio's Mother in Law, the various Fin MacCoul tales, Nail Broth (a fun twist on Stone Soup), The Tale of the Oki Islands, Drinking Companions, the various Anansi stories, The Talking Cat, and The Search for the Magic Lake. Some of these and many of the other stories had quite good female protagonists, which was fun to read. All in all, this is an excellent collection, and while it could be a bit more diverse, it's still a great starting point for anybody who wants to learn about fairy tales beyond the European ones that seem to be the only thing Disney is capable of adapting.
July 6, 2009
The editor did a very good job of choosing stories for this collection, but I find that the retellings often leave something to be desired. The style tends to be rather formal and detached, which made it difficult for me to get too involved in any of the stories. I can't imagine using this book as a read-aloud. I've found myself using it mostly for research, to decide which stories I like enough to seek out in a better version.
Read
August 6, 2021I liked the arrangement of the table of contents. Easy to use and find folktales from different countries. No stories from the Philippines in this one, though.
May 21, 2017
Once upon time there was a young ghost...well, youngish ghost, who, whenever weary of all the misery of the world enjoyed reaching for a folk tale or two and reading to relax and think happier thoughts.
Guilty as charged, that's me! :) and yes on occasion I do enjoy reading the genre for a break, for a change, to see the latest theories on why Red Riding Hood ever paid attention to the wolf and whether Sleeping Beauty is a empty headed princess or just very unlucky due to her curse...lol.
What you have here is a very well put together selection of popular tales (or made popular by sugary Disney versions) and some hidden gems that I hadn't read in literally a decade...or more!
Joanna Cole did a wonderful job, back in the far away year of 1982, of putting this selection together and starting it off with a very interesting introduction explaining the beginnings of the tradition of telling tales (and collecting them).
You will find tittles such as Sleeping Beauty and yes Snow White, but also new stories from other lesser known traditions/countries - the tales are organized by place of origin and make for a fascinating read, either has a family entertainment or for the occasional dipping into something different.
Best of all, for anyone remotely curious about the tradition, is that she compiled for certain tales multiple versions - and it makes for a particular interesting read to see the differences from one to another, which in most cases originate within the cultural particularities of each continent/country.
No matter how interested you are in the topic, this is a must read, some beautiful unforgettable stories in here, that are always worth passing to the younger generations.
Guilty as charged, that's me! :) and yes on occasion I do enjoy reading the genre for a break, for a change, to see the latest theories on why Red Riding Hood ever paid attention to the wolf and whether Sleeping Beauty is a empty headed princess or just very unlucky due to her curse...lol.
What you have here is a very well put together selection of popular tales (or made popular by sugary Disney versions) and some hidden gems that I hadn't read in literally a decade...or more!
Joanna Cole did a wonderful job, back in the far away year of 1982, of putting this selection together and starting it off with a very interesting introduction explaining the beginnings of the tradition of telling tales (and collecting them).
You will find tittles such as Sleeping Beauty and yes Snow White, but also new stories from other lesser known traditions/countries - the tales are organized by place of origin and make for a fascinating read, either has a family entertainment or for the occasional dipping into something different.
Best of all, for anyone remotely curious about the tradition, is that she compiled for certain tales multiple versions - and it makes for a particular interesting read to see the differences from one to another, which in most cases originate within the cultural particularities of each continent/country.
No matter how interested you are in the topic, this is a must read, some beautiful unforgettable stories in here, that are always worth passing to the younger generations.
October 31, 2023
I highly recommend this anthology for anyone interested in folklore, folktales, cultural mythology, seeking a resource for indigenous stories to enhance their own work, ...
I'm not sure when or where I picked this up. It's a hefty hardcover. Many of the central European folktales will be familiar to western audiences thanks to Grimm's Fairy Tales, the Andersen, and so on.
But once you get off central Europe, I found the tales both beautiful and revealing of the cultures which spawned them.
Cole offers that many themes cross the globe, and this is true. Such themes represent archetypes which (probably) originated when there weren't many of humans around. We carried our stories with us as a means of identification, both of ourselves and those we met. Through time most stories took on the aspects of the evolving society propagating them. Read the tales from Black slaves in colonial through Civil War America and you're reading African tribal myths in a new setting. Read the Paul Bunyan tales and you're reading about Norse giants americanized.
And all in all, a worthy read (remember to take notes).
I'm not sure when or where I picked this up. It's a hefty hardcover. Many of the central European folktales will be familiar to western audiences thanks to Grimm's Fairy Tales, the Andersen, and so on.
But once you get off central Europe, I found the tales both beautiful and revealing of the cultures which spawned them.
Cole offers that many themes cross the globe, and this is true. Such themes represent archetypes which (probably) originated when there weren't many of humans around. We carried our stories with us as a means of identification, both of ourselves and those we met. Through time most stories took on the aspects of the evolving society propagating them. Read the tales from Black slaves in colonial through Civil War America and you're reading African tribal myths in a new setting. Read the Paul Bunyan tales and you're reading about Norse giants americanized.
And all in all, a worthy read (remember to take notes).
January 3, 2022
This book is a great wonder that will always stay close to me. It was given to me by my mom a couple of years back. I have currently been rereading it for the umpteenth time over the holidays, and let me say, it is a book full of imagination. When I first started reading this collection, I was completely trapped within the stories. It was extremely hard for me to put it down. Front to back, these diverse folktales spin a world of lies and deceit, adventure and conclusion, victory and glory. Folktales collected from the world over pulled me into the book and let my imagination explode. As you read, the many protagonists and the many antagonists will show you a new world of excitement and creativity. I would suggest this book to all ages, for you are never too old to have a little fun reading.
November 29, 2017
I've always loved reading myths and folktales from around the world, so this book is a wonderful read for me. It's great to have so many different stories from all over the world in one collection. It offers you insight into the lives and cultures of other people. I would definitely recommend this to everyone!
November 18, 2016
Great collection of folktales with a nice selection of cultures that really help in understanding the world.
January 15, 2018
Fun collection of stories from everywhere! A few standouts to me: The Indian Cinderella, The Tigers Whisker And Saint or Horse. These stories make a poetic and beautiful point.
August 3, 2018
خوندنش در دوران کودکی خوبه.
March 7, 2025
O.K., but very repetitious and erratic
March 10, 2014
I grew up loving mythology and that love transferred into folktales when I grew a little older. This love was sparked by my elementary school librarian reading a tale about Anansi the spider spinning a web of dreams.
So! In honor of that I found a couple of tales about Anansi, "Anansi's Hat-shaking Dance" and "The Rubber Man" to read. The first is a funny tale about a prideful man Anansi who refuses to mourn at an important funeral because he wants to eat instead. It ends up that he tries to hide the food in his hat and it burns him so badly (while he tries to hide this from the funeral party, he tries his "hat shaking dance" to fan off the food) that he becomes permanently bald. In the Rubber Man, Anansi steals from the chief of the village and isn't caught until a clever clansman makes a rubber man that inevitably traps all of Anansi's limbs so that he is stuck in the field until daylight where the rest of the village finds him helpless.
Both of these stories are made to tell a story of consequences: not to be too prideful, or greedy; and not to be decietful, OR GREEDY. From reading these tales and others, I know that most folk-tales tell a story that explains a phenomenon in the world, shares a consequence to acting in an unacceptable way, or even to tell a story of things that are looked up to such as heroism. I think that it is normal for children to have at least some experience with folktales and fairytales early in their lives, but I would love to be able to teach my students more, including the differences between cultures and their values, which can easily be painted in a clear picture by reading different tales from each. A great lesson plan in the making! (Also, I know that one of the classes held at UNC is great to help people dive into this world if any of you are ever interested!)
So! In honor of that I found a couple of tales about Anansi, "Anansi's Hat-shaking Dance" and "The Rubber Man" to read. The first is a funny tale about a prideful man Anansi who refuses to mourn at an important funeral because he wants to eat instead. It ends up that he tries to hide the food in his hat and it burns him so badly (while he tries to hide this from the funeral party, he tries his "hat shaking dance" to fan off the food) that he becomes permanently bald. In the Rubber Man, Anansi steals from the chief of the village and isn't caught until a clever clansman makes a rubber man that inevitably traps all of Anansi's limbs so that he is stuck in the field until daylight where the rest of the village finds him helpless.
Both of these stories are made to tell a story of consequences: not to be too prideful, or greedy; and not to be decietful, OR GREEDY. From reading these tales and others, I know that most folk-tales tell a story that explains a phenomenon in the world, shares a consequence to acting in an unacceptable way, or even to tell a story of things that are looked up to such as heroism. I think that it is normal for children to have at least some experience with folktales and fairytales early in their lives, but I would love to be able to teach my students more, including the differences between cultures and their values, which can easily be painted in a clear picture by reading different tales from each. A great lesson plan in the making! (Also, I know that one of the classes held at UNC is great to help people dive into this world if any of you are ever interested!)
November 2, 2020
I bought my copy of this classic set of folk tales from around the world at an Elizabeth's bookstore in Sydney, Australia while on a long walk through that great city in May 2018. I just finished reading all 200 of them aloud (and recording them--let me know if you're interested!). I love reading folk tales. They are a direct line of communication with a culture or society's origin stories, and they offer insight into morals, values, and belief systems that undergird organized societies the world over. It's remarkable to see so many of the same stories across countries and cultures.
I got so much joy from this book, more joy than I have gotten from any book in a long time. Sure, it's 800 pages long, and there are 200 stories. And when you read them aloud, it's slower. And when you're reading them aloud to your son(s) who are making noise and occasionally require you to stop reading, it's even slower.
If anyone is looking for a single folk tale book to "rule them all," I would start with this one!
I got so much joy from this book, more joy than I have gotten from any book in a long time. Sure, it's 800 pages long, and there are 200 stories. And when you read them aloud, it's slower. And when you're reading them aloud to your son(s) who are making noise and occasionally require you to stop reading, it's even slower.
If anyone is looking for a single folk tale book to "rule them all," I would start with this one!
November 17, 2014
This book is indispensable. Not only does the table of contents inform the reader of which country the tales were found, but it has indexes in the back that are quite useful. The indexes separate the books into categories such as "Especially Good for Young Children" and "Wonderful for Reading Aloud". There is also an index of titles that separates stories alphabetically, since the contents is separated by country and region. This is how I found my favorite folktale of all time, "Blue Beard". My mother used to read to me from this book, and I know I'll do the same for my children. On top of that, I had classmates in my Storytelling class for my LIS that were clamoring to get ahold of the index for younger children.
August 19, 2008
The one story that I can remember and recite is "Master of all Masters". About a man who hires a girl to help him in his house but gives strange names to things. Here is an excerpt.
So he led her to the kitchen. "Over there, in the corner, is where you’ll be sleeping, Jane.
What do you call what you’ll be sleeping on?"
"Why, a bed or a couch, or whatever you wish, Master of all Masters."
"Jane, I want you to call that," he said thoughtfully, "A barnacle."
"A barnacle," Jane repeated, rather doubtfully. "Whatever you wish, Master of all Masters."
Just loves this book as a child read it a million times.
So he led her to the kitchen. "Over there, in the corner, is where you’ll be sleeping, Jane.
What do you call what you’ll be sleeping on?"
"Why, a bed or a couch, or whatever you wish, Master of all Masters."
"Jane, I want you to call that," he said thoughtfully, "A barnacle."
"A barnacle," Jane repeated, rather doubtfully. "Whatever you wish, Master of all Masters."
Just loves this book as a child read it a million times.
October 24, 2013
This book is full of fairytales/folktales all catagorized by where they originated. The index in the back seperates the stories under different topics, to make it easy to find what you want to read about. It is true, that not all these stories are for young ones, but one of the topics in the index is for young children, which allows you to pinpoint just which stories are appropriate to read at bedtime! Now when it comes to yourself...you will have a great time reading through all of these fun tales before your nod off to sleep! I love this book, I seem to be reading a new story every time I open it up...
August 7, 2013
A compilation of folktales and fairy tales from different regions of the World, this book is one that I will always cherish. I think it is great for children to be exposed to these because it allows them to see the cultural diversity of the world, such as the African folktales of the tricky spider, Anansi. There are so many stories in it that give the book a versatility and uniqueness when compared to other compilations like it. This is one childhood book that I find myself cracking open every now and again, and I am glad to have had my mother expose me to it.
June 8, 2013
Bear in mind that I'm writing this review five years after reading it. I remember liking this book, though a reader must keep in mind the contexts in which these stories came about. They represent tropes that may not be appropriate to the context of the contemporary era, but the histories that birthed these notions are still relevant and worth acknowledging today. I actually don't really remember this book at all, except for a vague sense that I thought it was good at the time. I may reread in the future and change my mind.
April 25, 2011
Definitely love this one. It is a compilation of folktales from all over the world. I loved the stories from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, etc). Reading different adaptations of classic tales is always fun, a quick read. It's not necessarily one that you have to sit and read for ever; you can read one story a night to your kids. (Which is really nice because you won't run out of material for at least 200 days!) Absolutely recommend!
June 14, 2011
Very good collection of folk and fairy tales from around the world. There are bound to be stories in here you've run across and many more you haven't. However, the stories have been edited to make them more child friendly and some of the original flavor is lost. Still, the collection is a good one and if you enjoy folk and fairy tales at all (or if you want to share them with friends and family), this is probably the best compendium you can get your hands on.
October 23, 2015
Great for Parents, Children and Children-at-Heart
This is quite a treasure. I wish I'd known about it when my kids were younger.
It's organized by regions of the world. In addition to a title index, the book contains a perfect and much-used Index by Category, with 21 categories ranging from "Especially Good for Young Children," "Wonderful for Reading Aloud," "Fables and Tales with a Moral" to "Quests, Tasks and Victories."
A perfect collection for any home library.
This is quite a treasure. I wish I'd known about it when my kids were younger.
It's organized by regions of the world. In addition to a title index, the book contains a perfect and much-used Index by Category, with 21 categories ranging from "Especially Good for Young Children," "Wonderful for Reading Aloud," "Fables and Tales with a Moral" to "Quests, Tasks and Victories."
A perfect collection for any home library.
July 3, 2009
My absolute favorite book of all times. I could read each story a million times and still find joy in them. I've memorized many a tale, and simply adore this book. My dad used it for a course in college, and handed it down to me. I plan to read these stories to my own kids one day!
December 8, 2008
A huge collection of folk tales, most of which I did not know of before. Sometimes it got a little challenging to keep going on the reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews