Beowulf: A Hero's Tale Retold by James Rumford. Houghton-Mifflin, 2007. 48 pages.

A wonderful retelling of the Old English Classic-- Liner notes detail the research Rumford did into the legendary epic itself, as well as the linguistics behind the history of english that are very much a part of the modern student's study of the tale. The language is strong and dynamic, luscious and poetic, with- more amazingly- Rumford using only english words derived from anglo saxon-- (with the exception of 3 words from old norse). The dark and powerful retelling mirrors the language of a storyteller, and is enhanced by Rumford's own illustrations-- muted blues and green and grays that evoke misty, sunless lands of northern europe. Celtic knots and ancient symbols float in the people, clothing and landscape, ripped open by the occasional brilliant black, gold or red, where the curve of the dragon's tail mirrors the prow of a viking ship. Please understand, I never liked this poem as a highschool student who had to study it in english class. But this is different--a fabulous retelling of the ancient classic, full of action and power and made accessible to kids today. strong recommendation for upper elementary and older.

American Born Chinese by Gene Yang.2006, First Second/Roaring Book. 233 pages

I love graphic memoirs, and American Born Chinese reads like a graphic memoir, even thought it is considered fiction. I don't doubt that Yang put a lot of himself into it. Yang weaves together three seemingly separate and unrelated tales--a contemporary chinese american high schooler, an ugly asian stereotype and a famouse chinese legend, The Monkey King together with universal YA issues of identity and teen angst and comes up with one great graphic novel. Award winner and quick, quirky read-- i loved it and recommend it to all.

Runaway Radish/El Rabano Que Escapo by Janice Levy. Raven Tree Press C/O Delta (2008), Edition: Bilingual, Hardcover, 32 pages

i really wanted to like this book-- i love folktales, i love Oaxaca, i love bilingual books.... but I was so disappointed. i love Oaxaca and have visited many times---i am familiar with the radish festival, although i have never been. I love the gingerbread man but this story does not flow, does not feel or sound authentic and seems very hokey to me. While i understand that the target audience is not latino, but US born children--Levy's tale still has a clumsy and stereotypical feel to it. i do not like the art work at all--it had an unfinished quality to it that was unappealing and failed to enhance the story. The other reviewers, who all liked the work, were correct to try it out on an audience, and so i read it at a storytime filled with boys and girls from 3-10. The kids listene, but by no means did they love it--and the 2 nine year olds immediately began talking about the gingerbread man --a great connection, of course-- but they then requested the gingerbread man which was a real crowd pleaser. So, while I love the concept, i am very disappointed in the work, and cannot recommend it. Mexico has plenty of lovely folktales that are readily available in english and spanish --Cucú, by Lois Ehlert, La Mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol, by Martinez and Horse and Hooves by Neil Philip, to name a very few. Runaway Radish just cannot compare.

Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern. Houghton Mifflin, 1992, 52 pages.

A good version of the well known Jewish folktale, McGovern's retelling is detailed enough to appeal to older children and adults, while still managing to retain the simplicity, the repetition and the humour that makes this tale a favorite of young children. (see the flannel board version from Judy Sierra). Simms Taback's illustrations--lively, colorful and fun--only enhance the retelling of this well loved classic. One of my current favorites, it is a favorite when storytelling for all ages and it should circulate widely.

Anansi and the Pot of Beans (Story Cove: a World of Stories) by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk, August House, 2006

Noted storytellers Bobby and Sherry Norfolk's updated version of Anansi and the Hat-Shaking Dance (made famous by Harold Courlander's collection of the same name)is updated for western children has a teenage Anansi shirking his duties and burning his head with Grandma Spider's spicy beans. While the illustrations are vibrant and and colorful, the story is made for vigorous telling--nose twitching, hat lifting and bean tasting-- and a good vehicle to practise your animal voices! And everyone loves Anansi--always a winner at storytime and family programs.

Can You Guess My Name?: Traditional Tales Around the World by Judy Sierra. Clarion Books (2002), Hardcover, 128 pages

Tales from many lands grouped by similarity to popular tales well known to westerners such as Hansel and Gretel and the three pigs. Short, easy to tell tales for young children that are easy to learn and fun to hear and tell. A great resource for storytelling and programming, especially if you want to introduce something from another culture. I often tell "The Cake Tree".

Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan by Eric A. Kimmel. Holiday House (2003), Library Binding, 32 pages

When a nasty rat overruns his castle, the daimyo, a powerful lord, enlists help from three samurai cats in this wonderful, humorous and very eastern tale with a powerful Zen message. Wildly popular with 1st graders for social studies or writers workshop, this is one of my FAVORITE stories and most successful classroom units. Great of reading, for read alouds, for telling, for group writing, for art, for folktales, for country study, for everything. Eric Kimmel is the best!

Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel. Holiday House (2001), Hardcover, 32 pages

I love African folktales and have a special fondness for Anansi. In this humorous tale, Anansi only just manages to pull himself out of trouble. A wonderful story filled with magic and a catchy refrain ("Hocus Pocus magic stick...") Magic Stick makes a great to read aloud--anansi is always popular with kids and Eric Kimmel always makes a story fun! A Winner!

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka. Viking Juvenile (1992), Hardcover, 56 pages

A clever and humorous send up of some well known European folk and fairy tales: Little Red Hen, Chicken Little, Princess and the Pea, Ugly Duckling, Frog Prince, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, Tortoise and the Hare and the Gingerbread Man. Scieszka parodies not only the tales but also the Books themselves. Not for the youngest readers as parodies only work when one is familiar with the original tale, and because readers need a certain level of sophistication to "get it", but for some 2nd and definitely 3rd and up this is a terrific treat--whether you are doing a unit on tales or writing your own stories--this is a winner. I especially loved Little Red Hen's running commentary.

Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountains by Barbara Knutson. Carolrhoda Books (2004), Library Binding, 32 pages

Cuy, a guinea pig from the Andes, tricks fox three times and then gets tricked himself in this clever and authentic folktale. Shades of Henny Penny, Tar Baby and, of course, the Ananse tales--this folk tale is a delight! Great read a loud.