Reviews
Choice words about Pleasant’s book, Thirty-Three Multicultural Tales to Tell
Kirkus Reviews
“Presented in easy-to-learn versions enlivened with unforced humor and clear, fluent language; most would take ten minutes or less to tell. Their readers will bring away a stronger impression of human culture’s unity than its diversity.”
Baton Rouge Morning Times and Advocate Magazine
“Wonderful folk tales from 20 or more nations will delight children of all ages and offer insight into many cultures in the process. Ages 6-10, and great for adults to read aloud.”
Provident Book Finder
“Here is a wonderful cross-cultural collection of folk tales and stories–funny, enlightening, educational and fascinating. A great gift to share with a youngster.”
The Virginian-Pilot & The Ledger Star
“Pleasant DeSpain, a leader in the American Storytelling renaissance, has chosen short tales to ensure that they will be read and reread. Joe Shlicta’ pen-and-ink illustrations fuel the imagination. The possibilities are endless.”
The Ithaca Times
“a must-have for parents, teachers, children, and story lovers.”
Children’s Book Watch
“These tales emphasize the interconnectedness of peoples and cultures, gathering and retelling tales from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the West.”
The Wichita Eagle
“These are stories about tricksters, clever animals, and witty, masterful adults and children. There is excitement, adventure, danger and fun in the stories. Collected from world folklore, the stories are entertaining and are presented in concise form.”
Booklist
“His bare-bones approach results in tales no longer than two and one-half pages, which makes them ideal for use as fillers for those stray, unscheduled minutes in the library or classroom.”
School Library Journal
“DeSpain has included something for everyone–trickster stories about Coyote and Anansi, Creation stories and tales of fools.”
The Orlando Sentinel
“Each story, accompanied by full-page pen-and-ink illustrations by Joe Shlichta, celebrates the interconnectedness of people, animals, cultures, and countries.”
Thirty-Three Multicultural Tales to Tell
People just can’t live together without telling stories. We tell stories that are funny, ironic, insightful, or just simply pleasing to the tongue and ear. Stories just seem to happen. When a story happens with the force of universality, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is the common denominator of cultural exchange. Here are 33 such tales, collected from Brazil, China, Korea, Russia, Tibet, Africa, from America’s native peoples, and other lands, and chosen for the universality of their message. Celebrating the interconnectedness of people, animals, and cultures, each tale is presented in concise “retellable” form, suitable for all ages. Illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings.
