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Dragons have ignited imaginations around the world. Information is presented through this 19th century handbook found by the granddaughter of the first dragon rider. Letters open and close the volume, with imaginative illustrations in a large format in this original, ingenious, and immersive exploration.

Lola has always felt the magic in her Mexican City home. To save her brother — and the magic — Lola travels to a hidden world where she learns that to gain something, other things must be let go. Beautifully written and handsomely illustrated.

Tardigrades, also known as “moss piglets” or “water bears”, are highly adaptable and durable microscopic creatures. Depicted here as (almost) adorable bug-eyed critters whose mother sets them out to seek their fortune, readers will share an adventure with a large, hairy wolf spider while gaining information about these tiny, eight-legged animals.

The teeny-weeny unicorn is so small that he’s used as a chess piece by his brothers. He laments his small stature until he happens upon a gnome that’s even teenier and learns that he was big enough to smash her roadster. Pastel illustrations effectively convey the movement and humor in this relatable and very funny tale.

A retelling of the Nian legend follows the experiences of a young girl who takes action when her village is threatened in the spring by a dragon. But Mei must defeat the dragon within 15 days or it will be free forever. This retelling with a twist explains the origins of Chinese New Year traditions.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty — but magic — wok that changes their fortunes forever. With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story reminds readers about the importance of generosity.

In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. Using the Nguzo Saba, or “seven principles” of Kwanzaa, the author has created an unforgettable story that shows how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community.

A girl and her mother find and adopt a lone polar bear cub. Together they thrive until the bear is no longer a cub, who leaves the humans to find his own community. One day, the bear returns with his mother. This adaptation of an Inuit tale is simply and touchingly illustrated. 

From fried dumplings to fortune cookies, here are the tales behind your favorite American Chinese foods. Do you know the stories behind delectable dishes—like the fun connection between scallion pancakes and pizza? Or how dumplings cured a village’s frostbitten ears? Or how wonton soup tells about the creation of the world? Separated into courses like a Chinese menu, these tales — based in real history and folklore — are filled with squabbling dragons, magical fruits, and hungry monks. This book will bring you to far-off times and marvelous  places, all while making your mouth water. 

Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure, riding camels in the desert, swimming under the sea with colorful fish, floating in outer space, and more! But when her imaginative journey comes to an end, she yearns for the place she loves best of all.

A children’s story that teaches about respect for nature, animals and culture. After a Tlingit mother gives her son a dried piece of salmon with mold on the end, he flings it away in disgust, committing a taboo. This offends the Salmon People, who sweep him into the water and into their world, where the name him Shanyaak’utlaax or Salmon Boy. It comes from an ancient Tlingit story that was edited by Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora and Richard Dauenhauer. Illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade.This book is part of the award-winning Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. Winner of the 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Best Picture Book Award.

A fairytale about a boy who meets a fairy who can’t hear very well. He learns the importance of clear communication and the golden rules for talking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Children fascinated by ancient Egypt and hieroglyphs should enjoy this retelling based on a tale found on an ancient papyrus scroll from the 19th century B.C.E. The sole survivor of a shipwreck relates being washed up on the shore of a paradisiacal “Island of the Soul” inhabited only by a huge serpent. As the sailor and serpent become friends, the creature tells how he lost his family and predicts the man’s rescue, after which the island “will disappear forever under the waves, but it will always be with you, for it lives in your heart.” The story, with its mystical snake and mysterious island, will hold readers’ interest. The book is most successful, however, as a peek into ancient Egyptian folklore, art, and language.

When the great emperor of China demands that Chan Lo carve him a dragon of wind and fire, Chan Lo is overwhelmed. No matter how hard he listens to the perfect jade stone, he does not hear dragons. This Chinese folktale is warmly illustrated, evoking the majesty of ancient China and the gentle message of artistic truth.

Clever soldiers outwit greedy townspeople with the creation of a special soup in this cherished classic. Three soldiers come marching down the road towards a French village. The peasants, seeing them coming, suddenly become very busy, for soldiers are often hungry. All their food is hidden under mattresses or in barns. Then follows a battle of wits, with the soldiers equal to the occasion. Why, of course—even with no food, they can still make a wonderful soup! All they will need is three round stones. But to make a truly perfect stone soup, they will of course also need a carrot or two…a cabbage…and so it goes.

When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni’s Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Would you make a deal with a magical tiger? This coming-of-age story brings Korean folklore and magical realism to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlock the power of stories and save her grandmother.

Sleeping Beauty isn’t just cursed to sleep until she’s awakened by a kiss, she’s turned into a sleeping crocodile in this funny riff on the familiar tale. Comic, colorful illustrations propel the action in this traditional tale turn on its head.

What do you think when you see three bears and a little girl? You’ll question what you think in this visual tale told in highly-detailed, black-and-white illustrations with gold highlights. Though it has the feel of a familiar tale, this fresh reimagining will surely lead to greater discussion.

Native Americans have a long tradition of storytelling. Introduce young readers to these rich cultures with this collection of powerful tales from 12 tribes, exploring lore about how the mountain Denali formed, why the North Star stays still, and more. Every story ends with a brief historical sketch of the tribe, providing context and offering a glimpse into their way of life and their traditions. The author is a member of the Menominee tribe.

Tricksters? Rabbits? Rougarou? Shapeshifters so frightening you shouldn’t speak their name? That’s just the start of this collection of folklore from the Indigenous people of North America, retold in comic form. The fifth volume of the Cautionary Fables and Fairytales graphic anthology series, with traditional stories from Indigenous Nations including the Taíno, Navajo, Odawa, and more.

Tristan, in mourning for his best friend Eddie, attempts to recover Eddie’s story journal and finds himself on a mission to save a world populated with people he knows from stories — African American folk heroes and West African gods. Also available as a graphic novel (opens in a new window).

This retelling of a Hindu story from The Ramayana is the three thousand year-old tale of Rama, who rescues his wife, Sita, from the Demon King. The vibrant illustrations, based on the ancient tradition of shadow-puppetry, express the exuberance of a tale which is still very much alive. Diwali is a celebration of Rama’s return to his homeland, with his fellow villagers lighting the path for his return. 

This chapter book is an action-packed adaptation of India’s great epic, The Ramayana. Follow Rama, the Prince of Fire, and his friends as they defeat the demon king of Lanka and return light to the world. Full-color illustrations throughout vividly bring the story of Diwali to life, while courageous heroes and dastardly villains will engage young readers who loves talesof adventure.

An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii. In the 15th century, four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of science and healing with the people of Waikiki. The islanders return this gift with a monument of four boulders in their honor, which the Mahu imbue with healing powers before disappearing.