January 22, 2009 at 8:37 pm (ages 10-12, ages 7-9, anthologies, fairy tales, fantasy, mythology and legends, picture books)
Title: Magical Tales From Many Lands
Author: (retold by) Margaret Mayo
Illustrator: Jane Ray
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
ISBN: 0-525-45017-3
Summary: An anthology of stories about magic from around the world.
Butterfly’s notes: These tales feature strong heroes and heroines who stand by their morals and learn from their mistakes. I absolutely loved this anthology as a child; it is one of my personal favorites. There is something about Jane Ray’s illustrations that really brings the stories to life.
Categories: ages 7-9, ages 10-12, fairy tales, mythology and legends, fantasy, anthologies, picture books
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January 22, 2009 at 10:17 am (ages 10-12, ages 7-9, fairy tales, fantasy, mythology and legends, picture books, profound messages, re-thinking fairy tales)
Title: Babushka Baba Yaga
Author/ Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 0-399-22531-5
Summary: The forest creature Baba Yaga is considered to be an evil witch, but she feels misunderstood. Wishing for a grandchild of her own, she disguises herself as a babushka (grandmother) and offers her help to Natasha, a single mother whose son has no babushka. But, when Baba Yaga’s foster grandson is scared by tales of the forest witch, she flees lest he discover the truth about her. Only when danger threatens her foster family does the Baba Yaga reveal her true identity.
Butterfly’s notes: There are many tales about the Russian witch, Baba Yaga Bony Legs. This story shows a much softer side of the Baba Yaga that is compeltely loveable. You can’t help but sympathize with her as a social outcast and rooting for her in her disguise as a babushka. I love the drawings too!
For a more traditional Baba Yaga story, try reading Baba Yaga Bony Legs in Magical Tales From Many Lands.
Categories: ages 7-9, ages 10-12, fairy tales, fantasy, mythology and legends, picture books, re-thinking fairy tales, profound messages
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January 14, 2009 at 9:39 pm (ages 10-12, ages 7-9, animal stories, fantasy, mythology and legends, picture books, profound messages, re-thinking fairy tales)
Title: I Can Hear the Sun: A Modern Myth
Author/ Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 0-399-22520-X
Summary: Stephanie Michele, animal caretaker at Lake Merritt, befriends Frondo, an orphan boy from the settlement house in town. In Frondo, Stephanie Michele finds a kindred spirit; they both have a way with animals and they both listen to the sun for wisdom. Together with a few of the “regulars” at the park, they form a strong friendship. But, when the people from the settlement house propose to send Frondo away, the friends are faced with a harsh reality.
Butterfly’s notes: The characters in this book are all unwanted by society, but they form friendships based on their mutual outcast status. Patricia Polacco refers to I Can Hear the Sun as a “modern myth”, and it is just that. It is a story with strong characters, true friendships, and a mystical but bittersweet ending. Since the author often bases her stories on her own experiences or those of her family, this book is particularly intriguing. What real-life thing could have happened to her that would prompt a fantasy like this one?
Categories: ages 7-9, ages 10-12, animal stories, fantasy, mythology and legends, picture books, re-thinking fairy tales, profound messages
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January 8, 2009 at 8:33 pm (Bible, Christianity, Judaism, Old Testament, ages 4-6, ages 7-9, animal stories, mythology and legends, picture books, religious)
Title: Noah’s Ark
Author: (Retold by) Lawrence T. Lorimer
Illustrator: Charles E. Martin
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 0-394-83697-9 (B.C.)
0-394-83861-0 (trade)
0-394-93861-5 (lib. bdg.)
Summary: A re-telling of the story of Noah and the Ark
Butterfly’s notes: Lovingly written, this book has been put together with adorable cartoon-style drawings which make it very enjoyable.
Categories: ages 4-6, ages 7-9, animal stories, Bible, Christianity, Judaism, mythology and legends, Old Testament, picture books, religious
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January 5, 2009 at 9:53 pm (ages 10-12, ages 4-6, ages 7-9, animal stories, anthologies, fairy tales, mythology and legends, picture books, profound messages)
Title: Good As Gold: Stories of values from around the world
Author: Barbara Baumgartner
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Publisher: Family Learning
ISBN: 0-7894-3482-2
Summary: An anthology of stories about our fascination with gold.
Butterfly’s notes: Some of these tales are well-known, but others are not. The author has given each story a condensed, tidy moral at the end. The book attempts to show that there is value in more than just gold.
Categories: ages 4-6, ages 7-10, ages 10-12, fairy tales, mythology and legends, profound messages, animal stories, anthologies, picture books
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January 5, 2009 at 9:50 pm (Bible, Christianity, New Testament, ages 7-9, anthologies, funny stories, mythology and legends, picture books, religious)
Title: One-Minute Easter Stories
Author: (Adapted by) Shari Lewis and Lan O’Kun
Illustrator: Pat and Robin DeWitt
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 0-358-24960-8
Summary: Very short stories to do with the last days of Jesus, Springtime, and various Easter traditions.
Butterfly’s notes: Most of the stories in this book are decidedly religious, and a few are histories. They are lovely stories told in a short and sweet style.
Categories: ages 7-9, mythology and legends, funny stories, anthologies, picture books, religious, Christianity, Bible, New Testament
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January 5, 2009 at 2:56 pm (ages 7-9, animal stories, mythology and legends, nature, picture books, profound messages, religious)
Title: Special Gifts: In Search of Love and Honor
Author: Dennis L. Olson
Illustrator: John F. McGee
Publisher: NorthWord Press
ISBN: 1-55971-679-7
Summary: The Creator wonders where to put his two special gifts, love and honor, where Two-leggeds won’t use them selfishly. He asks the animals what to do, and they offer different solutions.
Butterfly’s notes: I love seeing all of the different animals in this book and the way they are portrayed. The illustrations are gorgeous and perfectly appropriate for the story.
Categories: ages 7-9, animal stories, mythology and legends, nature, picture books, profound messages, religious
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January 3, 2009 at 6:46 pm (ages 10-12, ages 4-6, ages 7-9, fairy tales, fantasy, geared at girls, mythology and legends, picture books)
Title: The Story Of The Tooth Fairy
Author: Tom Paxton
Illustrator: Robert Sauber
Publisher: Morrow Junior Books
ISBN: 0-688-12987-0 (trade)
0-688-12988-9 (library)
Summary: The young fairy Glynnis is accidentally discovered by a mortal girl, Emily. Together they form a bond that will make Glynnis one of the most famous fairies of all time.
Butterfly’s notes: It is sad that the Tooth Fairy doesn’t have a previously established story of her own. Luckily, this book provides one! Every child that loses a tooth should hear this story.
Categories: ages 4-6, ages 7-9, ages 10-12, fairy tales, mythology and legends, fantasy, picture books, geared at girls
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January 3, 2009 at 4:59 pm (Bible, Christianity, Judaism, Old Testament, ages 10-12, mythology and legends, picture books, religious)
Title: Esther’s Story
Author: Diane Wolkstein
Illustrator: Juan Wijngaard
Publisher: Morrow Junior Books
ISBN: 0-688-12127-6 (trade)
0-688-12128-4 (library)
Summary: A re-telling of the story of Esther, the Jewish princess who saved her people from execution.
Butterfly’s notes: Beautiful, emotion-filled drawings fill this book, a detailed and complete version of Esther’s story. Esther herself narrates the story, which gives the reader a strong connection to her plight.
Categories: ages 10-12, mythology and legends, picture books, religious, Judaism, Christianity, Old Testament, Bible
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January 2, 2009 at 11:08 pm (Buddhism, ages 10-12, ages 7-9, animal stories, anthologies, mythology and legends, picture books, profound messages, religious)
Title: Buddha Stories
Author/ Illustrator: Demi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
ISBN: 0-8050-4886-3
Summary: Stories told by the Buddha followed by concise, one-sentence morals.
Butterfly’s notes: The stories collected here are wise and fable-like. The morals make good lessons.
Categories: ages 7-9, ages 10-12, mythology and legends, profound messages, animal stories, anthologies, picture books, religious, Buddhism
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