Race Relations Day marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated around the world every year on the 21st March. Wellington City Libraries has an amazing collection of Junior folk tales around the world. Folk Tales, according to the Free Dictionary is defined as “a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition.”
Check out folk tales like:
A Jewish/Moroccan Folk Tale about a grumpy old bachelor whose life changes forever as the result of losing a bean.
Mannekin Pis : a simple story of a boy who peed on a war.
Discover the story behind the bronze statue of the peeing boy in Brussels, Belgium.
Based on the original Chinese folk tale, six older sisters must join together to save the younger (seventh) sister from a hungry dragon.
Martina, the beautiful cockroach : a Cuban folktale.
In this humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale, a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.
Some of the latest editions of world folk tales that have been added to junior non fiction collection include:
The Barefoot Book of Jewish tales.
This is a fantastic addition to the library’s collection. This collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple yet powerful, message. Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Great for ages 7 years and over.
Breaking the spell : Stories of magic and mystery from Scotland.
Ready for excitement and adventure? Ready to meet witches, kelpies, fairies, selkies, brave warriors and courageous girls?
Forget the traditional fairy tales and Greek mythology! Celtic Folk Tales are in!
This book is a wonderful treasure that holds a collection of ten magical and funny stories from Scotland, complete with fantastic illustrations that tells stories about an underwater monster that can turn itself into a white horse, a girl whose mother is half seal, half human and a boy who is turned into a fairy but saved by a brave heroine that will leave you spellbound!
Also check out An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales and Spellbound: Tales of Enchantment from Ancient Ireland if you are in the mood for some more Celtic Folk Tales.
This Korean folk tale tells the story of Maya. She and her father are poor, but live a comfortable life. Her mother is dead, but foresaw Maya’s destiny of becoming a princess. One day Maya finds a little turtle. She takes him home, raising, caring for him and never knowing that he will play a part in her destiny. Beautifully illustrated and filled with fascinating nuggets of information about Korean culture, this book offers a poignant tale of the rewards of kindness, patience, courage, a loving heart and a lesson in how true glory, even if foretold must be earned.
