Favorite African Folktales
Product ID: 5945145
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Favorite African Folktales is a cause for celebration, landmark work that gathers in one volume many of Africa's most cherished folktales. Mandela, a Nobel Laureate for Peace, has selected these thirty-two tales with the specific hope that Africa's oldest stories, as well as a few new ones, be perpetuated by future generations and be appreciated by children throughout the world. In these "beloved stories, morsels rich with the gritty essence of Africa," we meet, among many others, a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads and a trickster from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena and learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Several creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can--and often does--win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are "universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical." What is particularly exciting about this book is that many of the stories, in their oral form, are almost as old as Africa itself. Most of them were, in fact, first told in various African tongues around evening fires in centuries past--tales from, for example, the San and the Khoi, the original hunter-gatherers and livestock herders of Southern Africa. Translated into English and other European languages chiefly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries from their original languages--be they Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, or one of many others--these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth. Accompanied by dozens of enchanting, specially commissioned color paintings, Favorite African Folktales --culled from African countries as far-flung as Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya--presents a fountain of precious knowledge that will be treasured by children, as well as adults, for years to come. Review: Fun and educational for granddaughter - Granddaughter loves stories. Read over and over. Review: Great book. - Stories are fun to read.
| Best Sellers Rank | #118,528 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #30 in African Literature (Books) #377 in Folklore & Mythology Studies #1,599 in Short Stories Anthologies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 289 Reviews |
H**R
Fun and educational for granddaughter
Granddaughter loves stories. Read over and over.
M**S
Great book.
Stories are fun to read.
S**M
A Magnificent Collection of Tales
If you are at all considering getting a collection of folk tales, get this one. I liked it so much I'm using it in a college research writing course I'm teaching. Very readable, fascinating tales of all kinds. Honestly, the only story that didn't impress me was the final one, and other than that one tale, I'm sure there is plenty to satisfy anybody. The stories reveal quite a bit about the African cultures they derive from, but they also compare well to other mythic stories, fables, and traditions, and are thus a great addition to an overall exploration of world folk myth. The stories are great for children, too, and I found myself reading a few of the stories to my kids at bedtime. They were sad when the book was finished, for they, too, really enjoyed the tales.
J**N
Perfect for reading with the kids
They love it. This collection of stories serves as an excellent opportunity to expose kids to African thinking, culture, mythos, folklore, etc. Right away the first thing they noticed was the map of Africa showing where each story comes from. Really good source to get their minds wrapped around the continent.
A**R
Good book
This is a nice book in general. I got it for my son so he can get familiar with some African tales. The only reason I took one star off it’s because it was a little difficult to read and follow. My son would fail to keep attention time to time. But I guess that is ok for those old good tales. Especially as I understand some of them were translated into English. We will try to read it again a little later when he gets older. He is 6 now.
Z**A
Great Read📚
Very well written and great African stories. I love this book so much. Thanks for sharing it.
V**N
8yr old son loved it
Both my 8yr old son and 7yr old neice loved reading the book. They just keep re reading it over and over again. Thanks to the LA public library for recommending this one to us.
J**O
Favorite for all ages
Bought this to read to my 1-3rd grade students and my own older children kept reading it before I could get it into the classroom. Well written and fun to read aloud.
D**S
Great
Very interesting read
K**N
arrival
excellent arrival! the content is super fun to read! very comforting. very interesting how animal orgin folktales are that fascinating
D**X
Very beautiful for any age
A very poetic, evocative collection of beautiful, wise African folktales. Great for both adults and children.
A**L
good
interesting, good choices of stories, suitable for reading aloud to grandkids
J**R
Gives Insights
Varied and attractive stories
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