To RWCT Folks,

When we were in Matrahaza several volunteers asked about collections of folktales that include stories from the Open Society countries. Here are several books that might help.

Tony Manna

Brewster, Hugh (1996). Anastasia's Album. New York: Hyperion. Anastasia Nikolaevna, who was executed with her royal Russian family at the age of seventeen, kept photo albums. The photographs and her art work and letters inspired this book.

Cole, Joanna. Best-Loved Folktales of the World. Anchor Books/Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-18949-4

Degh, Linda (1965). Folktales of Hungary. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Esbensen, Barbara J. The Dream Mouse: A Lullaby Tale from Old Latvia. Illustrated by Judith Mitchell. Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-24975-0

I Dream of Peace: Images of War. By children of former Yugoslavia. UNICEF. Preface by Maurice Sendak. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Original drawings and writings from schools and refugee camps.

Kimmel, Eric A. Sirko and the Wolf. Illustrated by Robert Sauber. Holiday House (a Ukrainian Tale)

Langton, Jane. The Hedgehog Boy: A Latvian Folktale. Illustrated by Ilse Plume. Harper.

Lewis, J. Patrick. The Frog Princess: A Russian Folktale. Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Dial Books.

Oparenko, C. (1996). Ukrainian Folktales. New York: Oxford University Press.

Popov, N, 1996 Why?.  New York:   North-South Books 32 pages ISBN 1-55858-534-6.

Why? is a wordless story book by Nikolai Popov about war and peace.  Born in the former Soviet Union, Popov provides a story about a misunderstanding that leads to war between mice and frogs.  The poweful illustrations will no doubt create interesting conversations among readers of all pages.

Rosenberg, Donna. Folklore, Myths, and Legends: A World Perspective. NTC Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8442-5784-2

Szablya, H. m & Anderson, P.K. 1996 The Fall of the Red Star.  Honesadle PA:  Boyds Mill Press.  166 pages ISBN 1-56397-419-3.

The Fall of the Red Star describes an ever present struggle for freedom.  It is described by Helen Szablya who fled Hungary in 1956 to escape the Communist movement into her country.  Through the eyes of Stephen, she takes readers from schooldays to belonging to the resistance.  This book will provide interesting connections to studies about the change in the Communist movement over the last forty years.

Vojtech A & Sturges P(1996) Marushka and the Month Brothers III.  A Vojtech.  New York:  North-South Books 30 pages ISBN 1-55858-628-8.

Vojtech shares this Czech tale that may remind readers of several Grimm tales in one - a coldhearted stepmother and a lazy stepsister that continue to send Marshka on impossible errands - all of which she completes through the help of the mysterious Month Brothers.  Prague born Vojtech and Philemon Sturges skilfully retell the tale in rhyme, complimented by Vojtech's blustery illustrations.  It is a wonderful read aloud.

Yolen, Jane. Favorite Folktales from Around the World. Pantheon. ISBN 0-94-54382-3