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1-24 of 34 results for All Resources

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Girl Who Wore Too Much

The Girl Who Wore Too Much: A Folktale from Thailand

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Yvonne Lebrun Davis

In the vibrant Thai folktale The Girl Who Wore Too Much, a young girl named Aree struggles to choose...

K - 3rd
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First Music

The First Music

Written by Dylan Pritchett and Illustrated by Erin Banks
Discover the magic of sound in The First Music, a whimsical African folktale where a group of jungle animals realizes their individual noises are actually beautiful music. This heartwarming story follows the animals as they join together in a rhythmic "jam session," teaching children that everyone has a unique song inside them.
Pre-K - 2nd
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Fat Cat

Fat Cat: A Danish Folktale

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Fat Cat: A Danish Folktale is a hilarious and colorful retelling of a classic story about a cat whose hunger knows no bounds. After eating everything from a washerwoman to a king and his elephant, the greedy cat meets his match when he finally swallows a clever little mouse.
Pre-K - 2nd
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The Drum

The Drum: A Folktale from India

Written by Rob Cleveland and Illustrated by Tom Wrenn
Discover the magic of kindness in The Drum, a heartwarming Indian folktale about a poor boy who dreams of owning his own musical instrument. After his mother brings home a "magical" stick, the boy embarks on a journey where his selfless choices lead to unexpected rewards.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Dancing Turtle

The Dancing Turtle: A Folktale from Brazil

Written by Pleasant DeSpain and Illustrated by David Boston
The Dancing Turtle is a vibrant children's picture book that retells a classic indigenous Brazilian folktale about a music-loving turtle captured by a hunter. To escape becoming turtle stew, the clever protagonist must use her wit and the help of the hunter's children to find her way back to the rainforest.
Pre-K - 4th
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Conejito

Conejito: A Folktale from Panama

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Geraldo Valerio
Conejito: A Folktale from Panama is a lively children's picture book that follows a small but clever rabbit on his school holiday adventure to visit his Auntie Monica. Along the way, the brave Conejito must use his quick wit to escape hungry predators like Mr. Fox, Mr. Tiger, and Mr. Lion.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Clever Monkey

The Clever Monkey

Written by Rob Cleveland and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
The Clever Monkey is an entertaining children's picture book that retells a classic West African folktale about two greedy cats and a very smart monkey. When the cats find a delicious piece of cheese but can't agree on how to share it, the monkey steps in with a "helpful" plan that actually serves his own appetite.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Clever Monkey Rides Again

The Clever Monkey Rides Again

Written by Rob Cleveland and Illustrated by Tom Wrenn
When a mean lion begins playing pranks on the jungle animals, the resourceful monkey uses his cleverness to turn the tables and restore peace. This humorous children's story is perfect for teaching young readers about the power of intelligence over physical strength.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Big quiet house

A Big Quiet House

Written by Heather Forest and Illustrated by Susan Greenstein
This funny and rhythmic story teaches kids that a change in perspective can make any home feel perfect. It is an ideal read-aloud book for teaching gratitude and the value of a happy, bustling household.
K - 3rd
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Anansi Goes to Lunch

Anansí Goes to Lunch

Written by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
In Anansí Goes to Lunch, the greedy spider Anansí thinks he is clever when he accepts three different lunch invitations for the same day. He ties a rope around his waist and asks each friend to tug it when the food is ready, but a huge surprise awaits him when all three meals are served at once.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Anansi and Turtle Go to Dinner

Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner

Written by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
In Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner, the clever but selfish spider Anansí tries to trick his friend Turtle to avoid sharing a delicious meal. However, Turtle soon comes up with a smart plan of his own to teach the trickster a funny lesson about being a good host.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Anansi and the Tug O' War

Anansí and the Tug O' War

Written by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
In Anansí and the Tug O' War, the clever spider Anansí uses his quick wits to teach the giant Elephant and the massive Whale a lesson about respect. By challenging them both to a tug-of-war, he tricks the two large animals into pulling against each other while he watches the fun.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Anansi and the Sky Kingdom

Anansí and the Sky Kingdom

Written by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
In Anansí and the Sky Kingdom, the world is dark and King Lion needs someone brave to bring back the light. After many animals fail, the clever spider Anansí uses his quick wits and trickster skills to visit the Sky Kingdom and save the world.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Surf War!

Surf War!: A Folktale from the Marshall Islands

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Geraldo Valerio
A tiny sandpiper and a giant whale start a funny but serious battle over who owns the beach. When they call in all their animal cousins to help, the birds and sea creatures soon realize that their fight is hurting the ocean they both share.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Priceless Gifts

Priceless Gifts: A Tale from Italy

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss and Illustrated by John Kanzler
This beautifully illustrated Italian folktale teaches children that the best gifts are often the most helpful ones, rather than the most expensive. It is a funny and heartwarming story perfect for young readers who love adventure, history, and cats.
K - 3rd
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The Pig Who Went Home on Sunday

The Pig Who Went Home on Sunday

Written by Donald Davis and Illustrated by Jennifer Mazzucco
Follow three clever pigs as they try to outsmart a tricky red fox in the beautiful mountains. This award-winning book is perfect for children who love folktales and stories about being brave.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Noodlehead Stories

Noodlehead Stories

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss

Discover hilarious world folktales in Noodlehead Stories, a perfect book for children who love funny...

1st - 5th
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The Hidden Feast

The Hidden Feast: A Folktale from the American South

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss and Illustrated by Don Tate
A group of farm animals dresses up for a fancy party at a neighbor's house. When dinner looks like just plain cornbread, a grumpy Rooster leaves early and misses a delicious surprise hidden inside.
K - 3rd
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Great Smelly Slobbery Dog

The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
This fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast shows that being kind is more important than how someone looks.
Pre-K - 3rd
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Eleven Turtle Tales

Eleven Turtle Tales

Written by Pleasant DeSpain
Through unhurried and wise animal characters, these adventure tales illustrate natural phenomena and timeless moral lessons for readers of all ages.
2nd - 5th
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The Legend of the Sleep-Eating Elephant

Written by Nocola Williams and Illustrated by Henry Ezeokeke

A very hungry, sleep-eating elephant has been caught invading the village cabbage field, threatening...

K - 5th
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A Tale of Two Frogs

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss and Illustrated by Tom Wrenn

One frog is known for being adventurous and impulsive, while the other one is lazy and cautious. A...

Pre-K - 3rd
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The Paper Crane

Written and Illustrated by Molly Bang

Business returns to a once-prosperous restaurant when a mysterious stranger pays for his meal with a...

Pre-K - 3rd
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The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

Written and Illustrated by Mark Teague

Three pigs spend their money on different things: potato chips, sody-pop, and building supplies. It...

Pre-K - 2nd

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Resources

  • Book Resource

Grades

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  • K
  • 1st
  • (-) 2nd
  • 3rd
  • 4th
  • 5th

Lexile Range

  • Birth-500
  • 501-900
  • Non-Prose

Genre

  • (-) folktale

Themes

  • resourcefulness
  • courage
  • cultural heritage
  • respect
  • responsibility
  • generosity
  • humor
  • music
  • actions and consequences
  • community
  • consequences
  • family
  • gratitude
  • sharing
  • across many cultures
  • adventure
  • anti-bullying
  • appreciation
  • body
  • cause and effect
  • compassion
  • conflict resolution
  • cultural diversity
  • environmental activism
  • friendship
  • holiday | christmas
  • inclusion
  • justice
  • luck
  • manners & etiquette
  • native american
  • nature
  • patience
  • perceptions of beauty
  • resilience
  • rhyming
  • self reliance
  • storytelling
  • tradition
  • tricksters
  • wildlife
  • zoology

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