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Maybe you think you know the story of the big race between Rabbit and Turtle. Think again! In this story from the Choctaw People, Tim Tingle shows that it was not being slow and steady that won Turtle the big race — it was those feathers!

This story chronicles one important day seen through the eyes of a young Hopi girl named Sihumana, or “Flower Maiden”, who is a member of the Rabbit Clan and winningly portrayed as a rabbit. After going with her grandfather to greet the sun and bless the day, Sihumana travels with her family to another village to take part in the traditional Butterfly Dance, performed late each summer in order to bring rain to the dry lands of the Southwest. (Tales of the People)

According to Santa Ana Pueblo legend, the animals’ spirit Leader created the sun, moon, and stars by using woven yucca mats and hot coals. He selected certain animals to climb from their homes in the Third World up to the Fourth World, but Coyote was forbidden to accompany them because he was always causing trouble and stealing food from the others. Regardless of what he was told, Coyote refused to stay in the Third World. Coyote’s punishment is a lesson in what happens to animals, or people, when they refuse to obey instructions.

In this tale, Coyote leaves his home on a Potawatomi reservation on the Plains to find work in New York City. Once there, he falls in love with a star and leaves the Earth to dance with her. When he asks to return, she drops him. He lands in Central Park, making a big hole (the Reservoir), and his descendants howl at the night sky to scold her. — School Library Journal (Note: This story, featuring the World Trade Center, was written in 1998.)

While exploring the land around their village, Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, ‘the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth,’ offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend. The swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story’s celebration and awe of the natural world. — Booklist

Through a simple story line and easy, concrete language, Lacapa offers an Apache pourquoi folktale he remembers from his youth. The tale explains that the sound of wind echoing through the canyons comes from the flute of a young brave serenading his sweetheart. When the young man goes on his first hunt without telling her, she is sure she’s been forgotten; she becomes ill and dies. Returning home, the boy learns of her death, and continues to play his flute at her grave. — School Library Journal

When Chris and Toby Greyeyes find a raven in the garage, they try to trap it and hurt it with hockey sticks. To them, ravens are just a nuisance because they spread garbage all over the street — or so they think, until a mysterious man who smells like pine needles enters their lives and teaches them his story of the raven. Set in the Northwest Territories of Canada, A Man Called Raven draws from the animal legends and folklore of the Dogrib elders. — Midwest Book Review

This is the classic tale of four beleaguered animals—a donkey who can no longer work, a hound who can no longer hunt, a cat who’s too old to chase mice, and a rooster who’s scheduled to become dinner—who decide to run off to be musicians in the town of Bremen. But they get more than they bargained for when they stumble upon a frightful gang of robbers.

Miz Berlin tells wonderful stories about how she caught crawdaddies the day the sky rained feathers or about the day the flood rose right to her front door as she and young Mary Alice walk together around the block.

When a small, fat and bald old man announces he is a dragon, offering to defend the city of Wu against impending attack, everyone laughs at him but one young boy.

Red’s feisty grandmother enlists the wolf as her assistant muffin maker in this contemporary parody of the traditional fairy tale..

Little Red Riding Hood gets a Wild West twist in a funny version of the familiar tale. On her way to visit Grandma, Little Red meets a wily wolf in the desert….But Grandma runs in to save the day!

Listen in to these two classic tales — about princes and princesses — read with character and energy by Oscar-winning actors Williams and Thompson.

The small toad, with the help of other animals, gets the attention of the Emperor of Heaven to end Earth’s drought before all is destroyed. There is humor in this colorfully illustrated, respectful retelling of a traditional folktale.
Country of origin: Vietnam
 

Have you wondered why frogs croak on the edge of streams? It all started long ago with two disobedient frog brothers who decided to obey their long-suffering mother only after her death. Humor and grimness combine for a memorable Korean pourquoi tale.
Country of origin: Korea
 

Sisters each use their special talent while working together to save the sister who was snatched by a not-too-scary dragon. Uncluttered illustrations add detail to the crisply told original tale likely inspired by a Chinese folktale.
Country of origin: China
 

Birds sing the people of Maynilad on the Philippine island of Luzon to sleep at night — until Tuko the haughty gecko prevents the birds from doing their job. Repetition and onomatopoeic animal sounds make this a lively, memorable folktale to share aloud. Tagalog is sprinkled throughout and is included in a glossary.
Country of origin: Philippines
 

Read the back story of why — and how — the cow who jumped over the moon (made famous in the nursery rhyme) was able to accomplish this feat. Though no longer in print, this funny parody may be available used or at libraries.

Humorous illustration and color-coded, rhyming text present retellings of familiar fables that include the morals (though with a light touch). Newly independent readers will have fun reading the short, snappy text with a second reader as they enjoy the cheery visuals.

When Chicken Little is bonked on the head by an acorn, the not-too-bright bird assumes that the sky is falling and so begins his journey. Along the way, he is joined by other equally clueless birds all of which are nearly eaten by a wily fox. Bold, colorful, abstract illustrations augment the humor in this simple retelling.

Children familiar with the traditional versions of well-known princess folktales (e.g., Cinderella, Snow White) will giggle at the clever parody that brings the stories together in this oversized book. Humor abounds in the comic book style format and in asides and comments made throughout.

Jack is invited to the princess’ birthday party but is too poor to buy a worthy gift so instead bakes a cake. It never gets delivered, however, but the clever boy gives the most lasting gift of all: an engaging story. Lively language and humorous illustrations are used in the original story told in the tradition of a folktale.

Minli embarks on a journey to change the luck of her family and their village. Traditional stories inspired by Chinese folklore combine with a rousing adventure for an altogether satisfying tale. Richly-hued illustrations decorate and enhance the handsome novel.