African Folk Tales (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)

by Hugh Vernon-Jackson

Other authorsYuko Green (Illustrator)
Paperback, 1999

Status

Check shelf

Call number

J Ve

Publication

Dover Publications (1999), Paperback, 64 pages

Description

Juvenile Fiction. HTML:This exciting collection of traditional African folk tales introduces you to a host of interesting people and unusual animals. Eighteen authentic fables, recorded as they were told by tribal members of Nigerian and other cultures, range from the imaginative "Story of a Farmer and Four Hyenas" to an entertaining account of "The Man with Seven Dogs." In "The Magic Crocodile," you'll meet a reptile with very strange powers, while "The Boy in the Drum" teaches a valuable lesson in the importance of obeying one's parents. In "The Hare and the Crownbird," a fine, feathered friend is rewarded for its acts of kindness. You'll also learn why a ram has a large head and a tortoise a small one in "The Greedy but Cunning Tortoise"; and in "A She-Goat and Her Children," you'll discover how a clever animal managed to provide food for her children. Set in large, easy-to-read type and enhanced with Yuko Green's 19 lively illustrations, this collection of time-honored folk tales will delight readers of all ages.… (more)

Local notes

1505-228

User reviews

LibraryThing member Sundry
African Folk Tales is a collection of 18 West African fables. This book is like unsalted food. There's something there, but it needs just a touch more to be good. The book is part of the Dover Thrift series, so I don't expect a full dissertation on each fable. Still, I'm left unsatisfied, and with
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a vague feeling that there is something missing, after reading this book.
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LibraryThing member flying_monkeys
Rating: 3 of 5

Stories in this collection focused on scaring, I mean, teaching readers (and I imagine originally it was listeners) the dangers of either (1) disobeying one's parents or (2) leaving the family home without the proper life skills which, in the case of these tales, is hunting with and
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without parents or tribe mates. There was little variety and most of these super short stories would be better suited for reading aloud as "folk" tales usually are.
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LibraryThing member Davis22
A good collection of various myths pertaining to the harvest, the earthly cycles, heavenly bodies, the origin stories of various tribes, and food. A fun and easy resource to help get your classes interested in, and asking questions about the lives and customs of some African cultures.

Language

Original publication date

1999

Physical description

64 p.; 8.25 inches

ISBN

0486405532 / 9780486405537

Barcode

34747000073276
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