From the October 21, 2007 Pigeon Post essay of the same name.
So what are some good books to expose children to Stories from Many Lands? As someone once said in reference to translated poetry: if beautiful, not true; if true, not beautiful. So it can be with books attempting to introduce stories from one culture to another. Below are an assortment of folktales, travelers tales, and stories that expose children to different countries and ways of thinking. We have attempted to strike an impossible balance between those that hue close to an original source while rendering in a way comprehensible and enjoyable to someone unfamiliar with that culture. Let us know if there are other candidates you would recommend.
This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults
The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults
Picture Books
Independent Reader
Young Adult
This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults
The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults
Picture Books
|
|
The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall |
|
|
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans |
|
|
Peter's Old House by Elsa Beskow |
|
|
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Red Shoes by Maj Lindman |
|
|
The Race of the Birkebeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen and illustrated by Mary Azarian |
|
|
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Norhwest by Gerald McDermott |
|
|
The Stonecutter by Gerald McDermott |
|
|
Indian Tales by Shenaaz Nanji and illustrated by Christopher Corr |
|
|
Anatole by Eve Titus |
Independent Reader
|
|
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and illustrated by Tasha Tudor |
|
|
Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson |
|
|
The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and illustrated by Michael Chesworth |
|
|
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit |
Young Adult
|
|
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge |
|
|
The Histories by Herodotus |
|
|
Death in Venice and Other Tales by Thomas Mann |
|
|
The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean |
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)