Michael Hague's Family Christmas Treasury  

by Michael Hague

Summary: Includes stories, poems, and music associated with Christmas.

The beautiful classic illustrations work well with the traditional songs. I especially cared for the illustrations of rabbits and other animals. I found the note at the end of the note about the history of songs contained in the book fascinating. Older children may find the note interesting, also.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3 

A Christmas Spider's Miracle 

by Trinka Hakes Noble

Summary: A poor peasant woman who has no money for gifts or a special meal for her children gets help from a kindly mother spider on Christmas.

This is a heart-warming old Ukrainian tale. The traditionally beautiful paintings compliment the text. The story is somewhat lengthy. I recommend that this book be read one-on-one to a child or independently by an advanced reader.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 5

 

The Funny Little Woman 

by Arlene Mosel

Summary: While chasing a dumpling, a little lady is captured by wicked creatures from whom she escapes with the means of becoming the richest woman in Japan.

This book won the prestigious American Library Association’s Caldecott award for illustrations. The illustrations mostly use simple dull colors, but this allows for the funny little woman in bright red and orange to stick out. The story is a Japanese folktale that is wonderful for a multicultural unit lesson. 

Interest Level: grade k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

Rainbow Bird: An Aboriginal Folktale From Northern Australia

Rainbow Bird: An Aboriginal Folktale From Northern Australia

by Eric Maddern

Summary: In this aboriginal pourquoi story, Bird Woman must find a way to get Crocodile Man to share the fire that only he possesses.

This is a unique folktale. The illustrations are bright and beautiful. I recommend this for reading to young children and discussing folk tales as a class. This is also a great read for this summer’s public library reading theme One World, Many Stories.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

The Singing Snake

The Singing Snake

by Stefan Czernecki

Summary: A retelling of the Australian aboriginal tale about a snake that swallows a lark in an effort to win a singing contest.

This is a fantastic tale that tells how an instrument, the didgeridoo was created. It is somewhat lengthy, but still a great read aloud for older children. The illustrations are beautiful and are influenced by aboriginal painting. It is appropriate for this summer’s public library reading theme One World, Many Stories.

Interest Level: grades K-6
Reading Level: grade 6

The Nightwood

The Nightwood

by Robin Muller

Summary: Retells the Celtic folktale of Tamlynne, a young knight in the court of the Elfin Queen, and Elaine, who is enticed into a nearby wood and, once inside, meets and falls in love with the young knight.

This book has beautiful, though often eerie, llustrations. This dark romance is a lengthy picture book. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and recommend it to anyone in fourth grade or older who enjoys dark fairytales and love stories. I do not think this book is appropriate for younger children because of its length and because they may find it frightening. However, I found the love story component does not contain objectionable material.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Shadow

Shadow

by Blaise Cendrars

Summary: Free verse evocation of the eerie, shifting images of Shadow which represents the beliefs and ghosts of the past and is brought to life wherever there is light, fire, and a storyteller.

This book has eerie but beautiful illustrations. I recommend this tale to older readers interested in folk tales or fairytales that do not involve princesses or fairies. I can not help but wonder if the “Shadow Man” from Disney’s The Frog and the Prince was inspired by this tale.

Interest Level: grades K-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog

by Mo Willems

Summary: Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.

This book is an emotional one that allows for much discussion. The water color illustrations are beautiful.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Fractured Fairy Tales

Click on image for larger print

Librarianjk recommends Rata-pata-scata-fata

Rata-pata-scata-fata : A Caribbean story

by Phillis Gershator

Summary: Preferring to dream away the days on his Caribbean island, little Junjun tries saying magic words to get the chores done

This book has beautiful, unique illustrations. When read to a class, it is fun to say the repetitive lines, especially “Rata-pata-scata-fata!” This book shows that sometimes wish come true, though it might not be magic!

Interest Level: Ages 2-4 and Grades K-3
Reading Level: Grade 2

Librariankjk recommends Duffy and the Devil

Duffy and the Devil by Harve Zemach

Summary: This is a Conrnish tale with elements of Rumplestilskins. A girl is asked to knit for a squire and cannot. A devil comes and says he can help her; if in 3 years she cannot gues his name, he will take her away. Someone tells her his name and disappears taking back everything he ever knitted.

The illustrations of the devil are fantastic. This may not be appropriate for a young child.

Interest Level: grade K-3
Reading Level: Grade 5