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135 pp.
| Cinco
| January, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-947627-00-0$19.95
|
PaperISBN 978-1-947627-01-7$12.95 New ed. (1994)
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Vicki Trego Hill.
American Southwest storyteller Hayes retells ten folktales (five new and five from the original 1994 edition) with straightforward, often funny text in both English and Spanish. In these tales, women's cunning saves the day from people with unsavory intentions or unfortunate habits. Soft, realistic black-and-white illustrations, some new and some reused from the previous edition, open the stories. Back matter includes notes about the origins of each tale.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2019
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Suki Boynton.
The fourth volume of these reissued folktales (first published in 1981 as part of Maid of the North) features active, wise, and independent women. The eleven tales from diverse world traditions include the titular gender-norms-defiant tale and the infamous "Scheherazade." Phelps reimagines the tales in an enchanting and evocative voice, aided by Boynton's occasional illustrations; includes an introduction by Renée Watson. Reading list.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Suki Boynton.
This folktale collection centers on women as clever, witty, and strong, with ten retellings (originally published in 1981 in a larger collection) from Scandinavian, British, Irish, German, Swahili, Chinese, Punjab, and First Nations' traditions. As stated in her preface, Phelps "exercised the traditional storyteller's privilege" to reimagine the tales in one enchanting and evocative voice. The volume includes an introduction by Daniel José Older and occasional sepia illustrations. Reading list.
119 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-1317-5$26.65
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5124-1337-3$7.99
(4)
4-6
World of Stories series.
Illustrated by
Francesca Greenwood.
Overall, this series includes a good selection of traditional tales for reading and telling aloud, with each volume grouped by theme. Don sources her stories and tells how she adapts them; Pearson provides no source information and the stories in Magic and Misery are all European, despite the subtitle. Greenwood's black-silhouetted vignettes are a nice detail, if unnecessary. There are two other fall 2016 books in this series. This review covers the following World of Stories titles: Girls and Goddesses, Ghosts and Goblins, and Magic and Misery.
64 pp.
| Barefoot
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-84148-964-6$$19.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Maya Christina Gonzalez
&
Maya Christina Gonzalez.
These retellings of Mexican folktales feature a broad range of strong female protagonists, including the legendary Virgin of Guadalupe; the goddess Tangu Yuh; and the rebellious Blancaflor, daughter of the Devil. The Spanish text is fluid, and the acrylic illustrations are appropriately Kahloesque. Bib., glos.
64 pp.
| Barefoot
| August, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-84148-365-6$$19.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Maya Christina Gonzalez.
Stories such as "Malintzin of the Mountain," "The Virgin of Guadalupe," and "Blancaflor" show the variety and richness of Mexican folklore about women. The retellings, each featuring a strong or clever heroine, flow smoothly, and the text is generously decorated with banners and full-page folk-art-style illustrations in strong, earthy colors. Bib., glos.
113 pp.
| Little
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-316-38701-0$$21.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Trina Schart Hyman.
Arresting illustrations for this collection of eighteen folktales feature strong, solidly built women with long, flowing, Samson-like tresses--no wispy waifs here. Unfortunately, the stunning art outshines the retellings, which are overly long and lack a keen sense of pacing. But the illustrations, full of humor and energy, will boost readers' interest in the stories. Brief notes provide sources.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Susan Guevara.
Yolen has collected more than a dozen formerly obscure folktales from around the world featuring strong and combative women heroes such as Burd Janet, Atalanta, and Bradamante, and has narrated them with verbal flourishes taken from the oral tradition. While the bland black-and-white ornaments and illustrations lack energy or focus, the appended source notes reveal a thorough scholarship. Bib.
80 pp.
| Morrow
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-688-15522-7$$18.00
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Julek Heller.
From the British warrior-queen Boadicea to the Japanese heroine Yakami, who killed a sea monster, these stories feature twelve spirited, battle-strong women from around the world. Each overly dramatic account is accompanied by a brief introduction, a somewhat drab full-page watercolor painting, and a spot illustration. For basic information on these heroic women, this is a suitable collection. Bib., ind.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| March, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-395-69852-9$$15.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Andrew Glass.
In this Appalachian recasting of a Japanese folktale, Willie sets off to participate in a contest of feats of strength. On the way he meets a girl and her granny who are both stronger than he is, but the gals take a liking to the big brute and decide to strengthen him up. The outrageousness of the situations and the corn-pone dialect are reflected in Glass's robust illustrations.
Reviewer: Nancy Vasilakis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 1999
10 reviews
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