This gentle tale comes from Mexico, from the ancient Aztec people, and a story very much like it is also told in India,...
The shelf
Folk Tales from Around the World
Traditional folk tales from cultures around the world, ages 4–8.
The Six Friends and the Elephant
This wise tale comes from India. It has been told for more than two thousand years, and it has travelled to Persia, Arab...
The Mitten in the Snowy Forest
This cozy tale comes from Ukraine, where it is called "Rukavychka." Ukrainian grandmothers tell it on cold winter nights...
The Talkative Tortoise and the Two Kind Ducks
This tale comes from India, from a very old book of animal stories called the Panchatantra, and from the Jataka tales. I...
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
This old tale comes from the Efik and Ibibio people of southern Nigeria in West Africa. Long ago, grandmothers told it i...
Momotaro, the Peach Boy, and His Three Friends
This is one of the most famous folk tales of Japan. Japanese children hear about Momotaro, whose name means "Peach Boy,"...
The Giant Turnip and the Littlest Helper
This happy tale comes from Russia, where it is called "Repka." Russian grandparents love to tell it, and children love t...
Ma Liang and the Magic Paintbrush
This much-loved tale comes from China, where children have heard about the boy Ma Liang and his magic brush for many, ma...
The Traveler and the Wonderful Stone Soup
This cheerful tale is told all over Europe, in France, Portugal, Sweden and many other lands. Every country tells it a l...