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Why is traditional literature important for children to learn? What are some limitations of traditional literature? The only resources used should be the uploaded files. Please include direct quotations- Childhood Educaikm Joiimal. I ol. 32. ^o. 6. June 2005 (© 20()5) : ll).i0n7;sl064.1-()()5-(>n06-6 Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum: Folktales are for Fveryone! Michelle Rupiper’ and Pauline Davey Zeece”‘^ Sharing folktales with young children offers an array of opportunities. These stories have universal appeal, abate fears, support divergent thinking, and eonncct generations. Eleven newesi renditions of elassic tales are reviewed and recommended. KEY WORDS: children’s literature: folklales: earlv childhoodIntroduction People have always told their children stories. These yams frequently lake the form of folktales. Folktales are a form of traditional literature that existed before recorded history. They began as an attempt to explain and utiderstand the natural and spiritual world and are used to make social issues. history, and natural phenomena understandable to children (Lynch-Brown & Tomlinson, 2004). Folktales offer a sense of security, often while poking fun at things people wish to change. The origin of the folktale lies in the oral traditions of every culture. These culturally cherished tales share common plots wherein good overcomes evil, justice is served, and a happy ending ensues. Folktales are Appealing Folktales provide rich and interesting literary experiences and assist children in broadening their understandings of the world. Carney (2004) explains that folktales contain many of the qualities that children enjoy in a story. Quick starts, peppered action, and humor engage young readers. Additionally. folktales appeal to a child’s concept of justice: good is rewarded and evil is punished. Many folktales contain captivating rhyme and repetition and short, explicit conclusions. Children are able to see themselves within the story because folktales speak to the basic questions children ask. Questions such as “Who am I?”. “How can I solve my problems?”‘, and “Is it too scary to think about these things?” are often addressed in folktales (Howarth, ‘Universily of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lincoln. USA. ‘Correspondence should be directed lo Pauline Davey Universily of Nebraska-Lincoln, e-mail: piceeceuf unlnotes.unl.edu Bruchac, Joseph & Bruchac, James. Raccoon’s Last Race: A Traditional Abenaki Story. Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey, illustrators. New York; Dial Books. 2004. 32 pp., $15.99. Ages 4 to 8 years. In this lively, humorous tale children learn the perils of arrogance and the importance of keeping promises. Long ago, Azbun the Raccoon loved to race on his lengthy legs. Azban is the fastest of all the creatures, but the others soon tire of his conceited attitude and refuse to race him. Azban selects Big Rock as his next opponent, but runs into trouble when he trips and is flattened by this formidable opponent. Although the ants help him out, the story’s end takes a twisty turn and readers discover the iiumorous explanation about why, to this day, raccoons have small legs and cannot run swiftly. Grahanie, Kenneth. Retold by Robert I). San Souci. The Reluctant Dva^on. John Segal, illustrator. New York: Orchard Books/Scholastic, 2004. 39 pp., SI6.95. Ages 4 to 8 years. Life is typical for Jack and his shepherd family until the day his father discovers a fire-breathing dragon close to their home. Yet this is not the average run-of-the mill dragon. Instead, he is purring, poetic, and pacifistic. St. George rides into town to slay the beast, but (with Jacks’ help) discovers that a battle is unlikely. A hilarious faux fight 377 HIK2-3.”OI,.(15,O6()U-IB77,.O © :UU5 Springer ^Business Meilu, 378 Zeece creates the perfect climax for this zany rendition of a truly classic folktale. Greban., Tanguy. Sarah So Small. Qucntin Greban., illustrator. Mew York: Milk and Cookies Press., 2004. 30 pp., $16.95. Ages 4 to 8 years. When Hazel, a famous and respected witch, visits Sarah’s family, her greedy father steals a pearl frotn the sleeping sorcerer. Bui fate “rarely ignores KENNliTH GRAHAME’S RELUCTANT DRAGON . t ROBERT D.SAN SOUa iiL»-»Tt«Ti:n mi JOH N SEGA L dishonest people” as innocent Sarah accidentally swallows the pearl that her father has hidden in a loaf of bread. Sarah shrinks and shrinks and shrinks until she becomes the size of a field mouse. Fearing she will melt away completely, Sarah and her friends set out to find the witch and reverse her daunting dwindling. Courage and cunning prevail as the little girl faces the witch. “KLATU! VERATAT! NIKUTU!” The spell is broken. Slowly and happily Sarah returns lo her normal size. Norman. Howard. Between Heaven and Earth: find Tales from Aroand the World. Leo &. Diane Dillon, illustrators. San Diego, CA: C^ulliver Books/Harcourt, 2004. 88 pp., $22.00. Ages 7 to 10 years. For centuries birds and their magniiicent ability to fly have inspired tales of wonder and beauty. In a uawan tlcavcn and earth BIRD TAtES FROM AROUND THE WORLD Folktales are for Evervone! 379 collection that is as arlislic as it is timeless, award-winning author Howard Norman and Caldecott medalists Leo and Diane Dillon ofier five bird stories from around the world: Australia, Norway, Sri Lanka, Africa (Mateheleland). and China. Told in the cadence of the oral traditions from which they originated, each story is a celebration of winged creatures and free spirits that soar across the folktale telling world. Folktales Abate Fears Mtich of the allure of folktales for young children lies in vulnerable characters who are able to overcome danger. Childhood is full of frightening monsters and unknown fears. Using folktales assists children in dealing with fears by providing positive role models who are able to overcome dangerous situations, while keeping right and wrong in sight. Listening to stories about good characters overcoming evil forces reassures children that their own inner conflicts and fears will be positively resolved (Sawyer, 2004). Willey. Margaret. Clever Beatriee and the Best Little Pony. Heather M. Solomon, illustrator. New York: .Anthcneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster Children’s, 2004. 40 pp., SI6.95. Ages 5 to 8 years. Beatrice loves her little pony but discovers that someone has been riding him after she puts him to bed for the evening. To defend her pony, the tiny little girl must face her fears and an unknown and bewildering rider. With the help of the village bread maker who is an expert “in all things not easily lever Beatrice i tkc Best Little Pony explained,” Beatrice develops a plan to outwit the mysterious rider and keep him from riding her pony. Children will be amused by Beatrice’s clever approach and her resolve to protect her pet. Carville, James. Lii anil the Swamp Ghost. David Catron, illustrator. Patrieia McKissack, translator. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster Children’s, 2004. 40 pp., $17.95. Ages 4 to 8 years. This tale is set in Louisiana during the depression. Lu does not feel the depression afTects her because she and her family always have work to do. Mama assures her that “you are never lonely or poor if you have a loving family and one good friend.” However, Lu begins to wonder if she is poor because she does not have a single good friend. On a trip through the swamp to check her father’s traps, the young girl encounters a leaf and mud covered “swamp ghost” who orders her to bring him food. Over the course of several days, her initial notions about the creature change. When Lu learns the secret of the swamp ghost, she discovers that she does indeed have a good friend and that not all riches are measured in monetary ways. Villasenor, V ictor. Mother Fo.x and tbe Coyote: Mama Zorra y Don Coyote. Felipe Lgaldc .A,lcantara, illustrator. Guadalupe Vanessa Turcois, translator. Houston, TX: Arte Pubtico Press, 2004. 32 pp., $14.95. Ages 3 to 7 years. Mama Zorra and her babies live in a beautiful valley in a home safely hidden beneath tree roots. Although the valley is lush, the family shares it with a cunning coyote that spends his days searching for food. The coyote would like nothing better than to 380 Zeece eat Mama’s tiny babies. On a (rip to the pond. Mama is dislracled and drops her guard while watching her babies play with the bullfrogs. When the coyote appears. Mama must use her wits to save herself and her babies from becoming coyote canapes. Do the babies escape? Young readers will anticipate and enjoy the story’s clever conclusion. Palatini, Margie. Sweet Tooth. Jack E. Davis, illustrator. New York: Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, 2(M»4. 40 pp., $15.95. Ages 3 to 6 years. Stewart’s sweet looth does not act sweet. In fact. it screams for treats at the most inopportune times. His sweet tooth is constantly getting him in trouble and people do not seem to understand it is just not his fault. Stewart feels powerless until he discovers that he can stand strong and eat healthy foods. Ultimately he defeats his “rotten tooth” and beams with pride and a big toothed smile. Folktales Support Divergent Thinking Contrasting versions or dilVering renditions of the same folktale arc ways to explore the content of a story. Children can be encouraged to discuss differing perspectives and feelings about varied resolutions of a plot. Encouraging such responses to literature allows youngsters to explore hidden fears and issues and recognize that others share and understand their feelings. Children also learn iheic are different paths to “happily ever after.” Paul, Ann Whitford. Matiana, I^’iiaiia. Ethan Long, illustrator. New York: Moliday House, 2004. 32 pp., $16.95. Ages 4 to 8 years. Folktales are for Everyone! 381 This clever update of tale of Little Red Hen employs a Mexican twist that highlights the impoitance of working together. Iguana hopes to have a fiesta on Saturday, but her friends Conejo, Tortuga and Culebra do not want to help. Iguana grows tired of hearing excuses from her friends. She does not like doing all the work by herself and finally decides not to let them attend the fiesta. Eventually Iguana’s friends decide lo clean up while she rests after the fiesta. They are rewarded for their efforts by receiving the party leftovers. The lively illustrations and humorous story line will keep children entertained and they may even learn a few words of Spanish along the way. Davis, Donald. The Pifi Who Went Home on Sunday: An Appalaehian Folktale. Jennifer Mazzucco. illustrator. Little Rock, AR: August House LittleFolk, 2004. 40 pp., $16.95. Ages 4 to 8 years. Mama Pig sends her three little pigs out into the world with some wise advice, “If you have to build a house, build it out of rocks and bricks. And please come home and see your mama on Sunday.” Unfortunately the first two litlle pigs elecl to listen to a sly fox instead of their mother. They build their homes from cornstalks instead of bricks and are gobbled up by the fox. Jackie, the third little pig. follows the advice of his mother and constructs a sturdy home. But the fox is clever and talks his way into Jackie’s house. The last little pig must match wits with the fox to avoid becoming his next meal. This version of the Three Little Pigs demonstrates why it is prudent for children to listen to their mothers. Ernst, Lisa Campbell. Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfan^iled Prairie Tak New ork: Aladdin Puperbaeks, 2005. 40 pp., $6.99. Ages 4 to 8 years. America’s heartland is the unlikely setting for this classic tale. The story centers on a less than dainty Little Red Riding Hood (recognizable from her red sweatshirt), a Grandma who drives a tractor, and a wolf that would much rather eat mutfins than little girls. On her way to Grandma’s house. Little Red Riding Hood encounters the wolf who tries to trick her out of her muffin morsels. Will he be successful? The delightful conclusion is as appealing as the muffin recipe appended at the end o[ the slory. Folktales Connect Generations The best judge of a story’s appropriateness is the adult who works with young readers and listeners with whom a story is shared. Cornell (1993) cautions that some folktales may contain elements inappropriate for young children. However, when used conscientiously, folktales can assist children in understanding customs and culture, fears and frail- 382 Zeece ties, and morals and messages. Used wisely, folktales are appropriate for children for several reasons (Bettelheim. 1976). They are imbued with moral overtones: virtue is rewarded and evil is punished. Children learn that growing up, overcoming hardship, and acting righteously are possible and rewarding activities. Why read folklales? The themes have timeless appeal and the stories are authentic and exciting. Folktales are part of human heritage and as such they connect past generations with the present and the present generation with future listeners and readers. REFERENCES [Jctlcniciiii, B. (IV76). The ii.sc.s of eiichcinuueiu: Tlw mt’aiiini; and importance <>/ fairy tales. New York: Knopf. Carney. S. (2004). Folklales: Wlial are llie.’ Rciriccd Ocloher 1. 2004 from luip;;. falcon.Jmu.cdu -ramseyiltriidcarncx.him. Cornell, C. H. (I9′:).l), Language and ciiluire monslers that lurk in our traditional rhymes and tblklales. Young Children. 4
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