Ten Small Tales: Stories from Around the World

by Celia Barker Lottridge, Joanne Fitzgerald (Illustrator)

Celia Barker Lottridge knows that young children respond best to tales told with inviting rhythms, and better still when the stories have reassuring endings and embody simple truths. Here Lottridge has collected and retold ten remarkably fresh folk tales from Malaysia, Russia, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, China, Africa, and India. The stories, which promote cooperation and self-awareness, are complemented by serene pen-and-watercolor illustrations.

Genres: Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Deborah Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when it was first published in 1993, and I still love it. Most of the stories are available in other formats or collections, but these retellings are, in a word, "small." The sweet illustrations by Joanne Fitzgerald make the collection appropriate for younger listeners. I told four of these stories for years, both as oral stories and with puppets. My particular favourite is "The Journey of Tiny Mouse," which we told with a tiny mouse puppet sitting in a real walnut shell with children acting out the repeated offerings of food and the song. Just lovely!

[Forked Radish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeesh! The fairytale dregs.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of ten short tales. One tale is about a boy who turns into a peanut, another is about a giant turnip, one about a magic drum and many more.

Each is very short, easy to read and very enjoyable. I found myself smiling while reading each story. Some were very sweet, while others were quite funny. It was a nice book.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

These stories bored me to tears. I understand that I am not the target audience, but I've heard the tales several of them are based on, and they are much more interesting. These seemed cheesy and overbaked.

[Jody Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Lottridge! And I love these simple folktales for storytime. A few are even good for 2-3s.

[Elizabeth StClair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and sweet. It's been a long time since I've read nursery tales. I loved these. Culturally diverse. Beautiful.