Folktales From Around The World

Childhood is filled with folk tales, no matter where you live in the world.  When I was taking a Cree culture course in University we learned about the trickster character that featured in many of the Cree tales, and how the tales were meant to teach a lesson to keep children safe: don’t talk to strangers, don’t go into the woods alone, etc.  It was fascinating and I’ve been putting together a little collection of them from around the world during my travels; Russia, Norway, Japan, Ireland.  Today’s theme is folktales from around the world; do you have a favourite folktale?  Share it in the comments below and we’ll find out which are the most popular!

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Folktales From Around The World

To make things even easier for you, I have provided Amazon links to these books for both my American and British readers (just click on the link and you’ll be automatically directed to your county’s Amazon store).  Enjoy!

Maya and the Turtle: A Korean Fairy Tale, the importance of love, kindness, and a pure heart.

Cambodian Folk Stories from the Gatiloke, from traditional to modern; from forest to town, there’s a wide selection in this book.

Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales: Beloved Myths and Legends from the Middle Kingdom, 7 classic stories from creation to mortality.

Finn MacCool and the Giant’s Causeway: An Irish Folk Tale, Finn is a popular tale here in Northern Ireland!  

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, Folk tales from across Scotland; collected and illustrated.

Swedish Folk Tales, 29 illustrated folk tales…from Sweden.

Why the Spider Has Long Legs: An African Folk Tale, Now this I want to know as just a few minutes ago I saw a long-legged spider making it’s way along the wall…

Trickster Tales From Around The World, young readers will learn about mischievous tricksters.

African Folktales: Exotic Stories from Africa for Children Around the World, 5 African folktales from Dr. Greg Uche.

50 Famous Fables and Folk Tales: Collected from Around the World, 50 stories, all with morals; from Alaska to the Far East.

Best-Loved Folktales of the World, over 200 folk tales from all areas of the world.

Favorite Folktales from Around the World, over 150 tales from Iceland to Syria.

The Last Kappa of Old Japan Bilingual English & Japanese Edition: A Magical Journey of Two Friends, a warning about the environment told in a unique way, this is one of my daughter’s favourite books!

Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories: Anniversary Edition, this 60th anniversary edition shares 20 stories of kindness and goodness.  It’s what’s on our bookshelf!

Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales: Beloved Myths and Legends from the Middle Kingdom, 7 classic Chinese tales with background information about each one.