Name: Favorite Folktales from Around the World
Availability: InStock
Author: Jane Yolen

About This Book

From Africa, Burma, and Czechoslovakia to Turkey, Vietnam, and Wales here are more than 150 of the world's best-loved folktales from more than forty countries and cultures. These tales of wonder and transformation, of heroes and heroines, of love lost and won, of ogres and trolls, stories both jocular and cautionary and legends of pure enchantment will delight readers and storytellers of all ages. With black-and-white drawings throughout Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

Our Review

This comprehensive collection brings together over 150 traditional stories spanning six continents, from Vietnamese legends to Welsh myths, offering a true global tour through oral storytelling traditions. Jane Yolen curates tales of transformation and enchantment, heroes and tricksters, love and caution, creating a rich tapestry of cultural wisdom. The anthology's strength lies in its remarkable diversity, drawing from more than forty distinct countries and traditions, all accompanied by atmospheric black-and-white illustrations. Readers will discover both familiar archetypes and surprising variations as they journey through this carefully assembled volume.

What makes this compilation particularly valuable is its authenticity—these aren't sanitized Disney versions but the raw, compelling stories that have shaped cultures for generations. The book serves equally well for quiet reading or for storytellers seeking material, with tales that maintain their oral rhythm and power. Teen readers exploring world cultures through narrative will find endless fascination in the common threads and unique perspectives woven throughout. This isn't just a book of stories but a window into how humanity across time and geography has used folklore to explain the world and pass down wisdom.