Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo- chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo! Three decades and more than one million copies later children still love hearing about the boy with the long name who fell down the well. Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's classic re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale has hooked legions of children, teachers, and parents, who return, generation after generation, to learn about the danger of... (more)

The Sandman: Book 11

The Dream Hunters

by Yoshitaka Amano, Neil Gaiman

'The Sandman - The Dream Hunters' is one of many graphic novels in the Sandman series. This story takes place at the turn of the 6th century Japan, primarily on remote hillside where a single monk worships the old gods. A whirlwind of magical events focuses in upon the monk, as he is forced to contend with mischief from foxes, badger, and Yin-Yang Masters. Ultimately, its an mythical journey of sacrifice, love,... (more)

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

by Jon Scieszka

is presented from the humorous perspective of a beleaguered wolf, whose innocent requests to borrow cups of sugar are rendered cataclysmic by a snoutful of unfortunate sneezes. Reprint. NYT. AB. NYT.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale

by Verna Aardema

In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece."--Booklist, starred review. Full color.

The Three Pigs

by David Wiesner

This picture book begins placidly (and familiarly) enough, with three pigs collecting materials and going off to build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks. But the wolf"s huffing and puffing blows the first pig right out of the story . . . and into the realm of pure imagination. The transition signals the start of a freewheeling adventure with characteristic David Wiesner effects—cinematic flow, astonishing shifts... (more)

Lon Po Po

A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

by Ed Young

A haunting Chinese rendition of the classic tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" follows the adventures of young Shang, Tao, and Paotze, who encounter a terrifying wolf. Reprint. Caldecott Medal. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. AB. SLJ. H.

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

by Carmen Agra Deedy

Carmen Agra Deedy delivers a deliciously inventive Cuban version of the beloved Martina folktale, complete with a dash of cafÃ© cubano. Martina the beautiful cockroach doesn t know coffee beans about love and marriage. That s where her Cuban family comes in. While some of the Cucarachas offer her gifts to make her more attractive, only Abuela, her grandmother, gives her something really useful: un consejo... (more)

The Little Red Hen (First Little Golden Book)

The Little Red Hen (First Little Golden Book)

Beloved illustrator J.P. Miller's graphic, colorful farm animals seem to jump right off the page -- but they aren't jumping to help the Little Red Hen plant her wheat! Young children will learn a valuable lesson about teamwork from this funny, favorite folktale. A Little Golden Book Classic!

Three Bears

by Golden Books

Rob Hefferan’s whimsical artwork breathes new life into this family favorite. All children love to hear each bear say, “Who’s been sitting on my chair?” knowing that Goldilocks is about to be discovered upstairs!

The Mightiest Heart

by Lynn Cullen

Who can resist a story about a dog who so loved his master that he gave up his life? This exquisitely illustrated tale, based on the legend of Llywelyn, a thirteenth-century Welsh prince, and his loyal hound, Gelert, will keep young readers and listeners spellbound. Laurel Long joins the ranks of today's premier illustrators in her debut, adding incredible power to Lynn Cullen's spare but emotionally charged text.... (more)

Who's Got Game?: The Ant or the Grasshopper?

Who's Got Game?: The Ant or the Grasshopper?

by Toni Morrison

Generation after generation, classic fables, folklore, and myth remain popular because they quicken the imagination of readers and listeners of all ages. We, the creators of Who's Got Game? were inspired by the wonder of Aesop's fables -- their vitality, their endless demand for new interpretations. In our versions the original stories are opened up and their moralistic endings reimagined: the victim might not... (more)

Golem (Caldecott Medal Book)

by David Wisniewski, Lee Salsbery

Retold from traditional sources and accompanied by David Wisniewski's unique cut-paper illustrations, Golem is a dramatic tale of supernatural forces invoked to save an oppressed people. It also offers a thought-provoking look at the consequences of unleashing power beyond human control. The afterword discusses the legend of the golem and its roots in the history of the Jews. A Caldecott Medal Book.

Miss Rumphius

by Barbara Cooney

Seeking adventure in faraway places, Miss Rumphius fulfills her dream and then sets out to make the world more beautiful.Once, long ago, Miss Rumphius was a little girl named Alice who lived in a city by the sea. When she grew up, she wanted to travel and see faraway places and then come home to live beside the sea, just as her grandfather had. But there was one thing more she had to do."What is... (more)

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti (An Owlet Book)

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti (An Owlet Book)

by Gerald McDermott

In this traditional tale from West Africa, Anansi, the Spider, sets out on a long journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his six sons should he reward? The color, splendid design montage, and the authentic African language rhythms forge a new direction in picture books for children. Caldecott Honor Book. Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.

One Fine Day (Stories to Go!)

by Nonny Hogrogian

Awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of 1971 "One fine day a fox traveled through the great forest. When he reached the other side he was very thirsty." The jaunty red fox stole milk from an old farm woman, lost his tail under the annoyed woman's knife, and spent the day bargaining to get it back. This humorous retelling of a favorite Armenian folktale is a story small children will... (more)

Rabbit Makes a Monkey of Lion (Picture Puffins)

Rabbit Makes a Monkey of Lion (Picture Puffins)

by Verna Aardema, Jerry Pinkney

Keeping her tummy full of honey is what Rabbit has in mind. But Lion protests. That honey comes from his calabash tree. "I'm going to eat you!" he roars. But Rabbit and her friends are determined to outwit the mighty dimwit. "Pinkney's soft-line drawings . . . capture the drama of the tale."--Booklist. Full color.

Cuckoo: A Mexican folktale = CucuÌ : un cuento folkloÌrico mexicano

Cuckoo: A Mexican folktale = CucuÌ : un cuento folkloÌrico mexicano

by Lois Ehlert

Cuckoo is beautiful. Trouble is, she's lazy. She never does her share of work-that is, until a field fire threatens the season's seed crop and Cuckoo is the only one who can save it. But will she risk harming her lovely feathers by flying through the thick smoke and flames?

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

by Janet Stevens

Janet Stevens gives us a new look at the confrontation between three billy goats and an ugly troll. “The pictures are exceptionally well reproduced, and Stevens makes clever use of her layout, propelling the actions out of the borders at times, giving them verve and movement.”-- Booklist

Chicken Little: Little Town Heroes (Deluxe Coloring Book)

Chicken Little: Little Town Heroes (Deluxe Coloring Book)

by Sally Hobson

The classic tale of Chicken Little and his gullible friends Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, and Ducky Lucky is enlivened by bold new artwork by the illustrator of Three Bags Full.

The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book)

by Demi

An IRA-CBC Children's Choice. An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists."

Shelfari Book Activity

Tags: folktale

by Arlene Mosel