Cuentos Populares del Mundo

Children's Literature

From Great Britain to Greece, Mexico to Japan, popular stories from around the world fill this 127-page book. Brave heroes and heroines perform valiant deeds with their magical powers while animals of all kinds take on human characteristics in these twenty-two tales and legends. Readers will learn how koala bears came to live high in the trees and how they developed an appetite for eucalyptus leaves in a story from Australia. A Persian tale will introduce readers to a magical lamp large enough for a young woman to hide in. The classic French tale of "Puss 'n Boots" is included as is a wonderful South American account of how birds were transformed years ago from a single color to the multitude of shades currently found today. Relevant illustrations accompany each story, and beautiful borders surround each tale with a theme pertinent to the country of origin. This book would be an invaluable addition to any classroom, for teachers could easily select a story appropriate to any cultural or geographical lesson. Most stories range from five to six pages in length, and while the content would appeal to students of all grades, children above the age of eight would have an easier time reading the book on their own than would younger readers. 2000, Usborne Publishing,
— Ramirose Attebury Wendt