Have you ever played the game “Telephone,” where one person whispers a message and it travels around the circle until it comes back sounding completely different? Stories work the same way. As they’re passed from person to person—and from place to place—they stretch, twist, and grow into new versions. The stories in this book show just how powerful that “story grapevine” can be. Many of these tales have been traveling for hundreds of years. Some appear in different countries all over the world, each with its own special twist. All of them are fun to read aloud, and even more fun to tell in your own voice.

Anyone who teaches, lead, or speaks in public has had the experience of needing to fill short...

People everywhere tell stories. It’s something humans just do. We share stories that make us laugh, make us think, or simply sound wonderful when spoken aloud. Stories seem to pop up wherever people gather, and some are so powerful and meaningful that they travel far beyond the place where they were first told.

Scary stories have always been a favorite with kids. It makes sense—listening to spooky tales wakes up our imaginations, adds excitement to everyday life, and lets us practice being brave while knowing we’re completely safe.

People all around the world tell stories that teach us about wisdom and fairness. These tales help us remember that when people use good judgment and treat each other kindly, everyone can live together in peace. Wisdom tales show us how important it is to listen, think carefully, and do what’s right.

Tricksters are some of the most exciting characters in stories from all over the world. They’re clever, playful, and full of surprises. Sometimes they act a little foolish, sometimes they’re amazingly wise—and often they manage to be both at once. Their adventures remind us that using our wits can help us stand up to bullies, solve problems, and even have a little fun along the way.

Every culture on Earth has its own lovable fools—people who mean well but somehow manage to mix things up anyway. Even though they often choose the wrong thing to do, their hearts are usually in the right place. By listening to their stories, we learn how to make better choices ourselves… and how to laugh when we have a silly moment, too.

Insects have been part of our world since the very beginning. Sometimes they buzz in our ears or give us itchy bites, and sometimes they amaze us with their bright colors, clever tricks, and tiny superpowers. People everywhere have watched insects closely enough to imagine what their lives might be like, giving them stories, personalities, and even heroic moments.

People all around the world celebrate special days called holidays. These are moments when ordinary life feels a little brighter, a little more exciting, and full of extra spirit. Sometimes that spirit feels like kindness and love. Other times it feels like starting fresh, or even a tiny bit spooky in a fun way.

What does it really take to be a hero? Do you need giant muscles, towering height, or endless power? Not at all. Sometimes being a hero starts with quick thinking, a brave heart, or the simple choice to help someone else. When we read about the bold characters in these stories, we can feel our own inner hero waking up, reminding us that we all have the power to do good.

Since people first began telling stories, magic has always been part of the most exciting ones—moments when something amazing happens, a hero is changed, or the whole story takes a surprising turn. And really, a little magic appears every time a story is shared. The storyteller becomes the magician, and for a while, the story, the teller, and the listeners all feel connected.

This book is perfect for anyone who adores cats. All around the world, people see cats as special—sometimes magical, sometimes mysterious, always full of personality. The nine stories in this collection show cats at their very best. Some are sweet, some are sneaky, some are brave or stubborn, but every single one is clever.

This special collection of American folktales travels all across the country—from Alaska’s icy tundra to Virginia’s soft green hills, from Louisiana’s steamy bayous to the wide‑open prairies of South Dakota. The author tells each story in his gentle, welcoming style, making every tale feel like it’s being shared around a cozy campfire.

For a long, long time, Eastern Europe has been a place where many different peoples, languages, and traditions meet. Sometimes there were disagreements, and sometimes there was great cooperation—but through it all, people told stories. These folktales show just how diverse the region is, and each one shares a challenge that can be faced with clever thinking, bravery, and hope.

Discover a heartwarming collection of stories about growing up in the rural Midwest during the 1950s.

Big Doc's Girl is a classic coming-of-age story set in rural Arkansas, following a young woman named Mary as she balances her dreams of becoming a concert pianist with her family responsibilities.

Asian Tales and Tellers is a diverse collection featuring more than thirty traditional stories from across the rich Asian cultural landscape.

African-American Folktales is a lively collection of over 30 traditional stories designed to engage and entertain young readers.

Adventures of High John the Conqueror is a powerful collection of African American folktales featuring the legendary slave trickster who consistently outsmarted his oppressors.

Maybe it’s because his mother was a teacher. Or maybe it’s because he spent so much of his life in classrooms—first as a curious first grader, then as a hopeful college student, later as a seminarian, and now as a visiting writer who travels to schools all over the country. Whatever the reason, school has always been at the heart of Donald Davis’s stories, and this book gathers his very favorite school adventures.

Maybe it’s a king who spills a drop of honey and refuses to clean it up—until that tiny mess grows into a giant problem. Maybe it’s some sandpipers and whales who start a silly argument that nearly destroys the place they all call home. Or maybe it’s a man who thinks a weapon will make him powerful, or a troop of monkeys who follow their leader into water that’s far too deep.