BAREFOOT BOOK OF EARTH TALES
adapted by Dawn Casey & illustrated by Anne Wilson
Seven different areas of the earth—Australia, Nigeria, the American Southwest, Bali, Kazakhstan, India and Wales—are represented through folktales celebrating the natural world and the interdependence of living things. An introduction to each tale describes the cultures and beliefs of the peoples, and an ecological activity follows each story. “The Magic Garden” (Kazakhstan), for instance, tells the story of two friends who discover gold together; a wise man recommends that they use the gold to send a young student to “plant the garden of [his] dreams on the steppes.” The young man impulsively uses the gold to free birds meant for the Khan’s table, and the birds repay him by planting a magic garden. Instructions for making a pinecone birdfeeder follow the tale. Wilson’s folk-art designs in cool, earthy colors decorate the pages, and lively borders are particular to each story. A welcome addition to storytelling collections as well as a good choice for children to enjoy by themselves. Sources for the tales are well documented in an annotated bibliography. (introduction) (Folktales. 6-10)