Tag Archives: Folklore

Elem. – World of Mythical Beings (Series NF)

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Hansen, Grade. World of Mythical Beings. Abdo, 2023. $22.95 ea. $137.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades PreK-2.

Dragons. 978-1-098-26188-7.
Elves. 978-1-098-26189-4.
Trolls. 978-1-098-26190-0.
Unicorns. 978-1-098-26191-7.
Werewolves. 978-1-098-26192-4.
Wizards. 978-1-098-26193-1.

Mythical creatures have fascinated both adults and children for hundreds of years. Abdo’s new six book series World of Mythical Beings introduces young readers to some of the world’s most popular mythical creatures. Readers will learn about how the myth(s) around the creatures developed, how the creatures are viewed in various parts of the word and in various cultures, and how the myth has carried forward to the present day. This reviewer had the opportunity to read the volume on Dragons. The volume presented possible theories as to how dragon myths started. Readers also learned about the differences between dragon legends in western and eastern cultures. For example, dragons in western cultures are depicted as fire-breathing winged creatures that are often deadly, while in eastern cultures, are wingless, snake-like creatures often associated as symbols of goodness. The volume concluded with a brief look at how dragons are depicted in popular culture in present day. Accompanying the text were drawings, paintings, and digital illustrations of various dragons. 

THOUGHTS: Early reader fans of mythical creatures are the target audience for this series. With simple text and engaging illustrations, they will find much to enjoy. A worthwhile additional purchase for libraries serving young readers looking to add to or expand their folklore/mythical creature collections. 

398 Folklore

MG – Salsa Magic

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Marrero, Letisha. Salsa Magic. Levine Querido, 2023. 978-1-646-14260-6. $18.99. 273 p. Grades 4-8.

Thirteen year old Maya has been having vivid dreams about a goddess in white calling to her from the ocean. The dreams seem so real, but she is not sure what it means nor does she have time to think about it. Between school, soccer, and helping out at her family’s cafe, there is little time left for pondering strange dreams. Maya’s focus is on her soccer season and her developing feelings for her teammate Kayla… until a mysterious guest arrives at the restaurant. It is her Titi (Aunt) Yaya! Maya has never met Yaya because of her long-standing feud with Maya’s abuela, her sister. But the most shocking part is that Titi Yaya looks exactly like the woman from her dreams! Even though Titi Yaya ends up staying in the apartment above the restaurant, her grandmother forbids Maya from talking to her. Maya feels a strong connection to Titi Yaya and breaks her abuela’s rules. Titi Yaya teaches her about ancient santeria magic. She tells Maya that she has been chosen by the Yoruban goddess of water and that she must follow this calling. Maya knows if she is to answer this calling alongside Titi Yaya, she must convince her abuela to drop the feud. 

THOUGHTS: Marrero’s coming of age story tells a heartwarming tale of a multigenerational family made richer by interwoven depictions of Caribbean, Puerto Rican, and Mexican mythology and cultural traditions. This would be a solid purchase for middle grade libraries.

Realistic Fiction

MG – Mabuhay!

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Sterling, Zachary. Mabuhay! Scholastic, 2023. 978-1-338-73860-5. $12.99. 240 p. Grades 3-7.

Siblings J.J. and Althea have two things in common. They both have trouble fitting in at school, and they both despise working for their parents. Their parents run a Filipino food truck called The Beautiful Pig, and expect their children to help out because “family comes first,” as their mother often reminds them. Spending a lot of time around their parents’ place of work means they hear a lot of Filipino folklore, and these tales all seem to end with an important lesson J.J. and Althea must learn. One day after work, the family arrives home to find Tito Arvin has arrived from the Philippines. His impromptu visit comes with lamentations about life back home and dreams about a monster who is after their family, a dream both J.J. and Althea have on the same night. Suddenly, the witches and monsters from Filipino folklore are more than just fairy tale creatures, and J.J. and Althea work together to save their heritage and their family.

THOUGHTS: Author Zachary Sterling weaves Filipino folklore with humor and adventure to create a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and food. The illustrations are vibrant and expressive. Tagalog words are used throughout and defined at the bottom of the page, and Sterling includes a Filipino recipe for Chicken Adobo in the back of the book. This graphic novel is a must-have and must-read for middle grade students.

Graphic Novel

Elem. – Lessons with Aesop’s Fables (Series NF)

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Hansen, Grace. Lessons with Aesop’s Fables. DiscoverRoo, 2022. $23.00 ea. $138.00 set of 6. Unpaged. Grades 2-5.

The Ants & the Grasshopper: A Lesson in Hard Work. 978-1-098-24128-5.
The Boys & the Frogs: A Lesson in Empathy. 978-1-098-24129-2.
The Hare & the Tortoise: A Lesson in Determination. 978-1-098-24130-8.
The Lion & the Mouse: A Lesson in Acts of Kindness. 978-1-098-24131-5.
The North Wind & the Sun: A Lesson in Respect. 978-1-098-24132-2.
The Shepherd Boy & the Wolf: A Lesson in Honesty. 978-1-098-24133-9.

Each title in this series introduces Aesop, explains what a fable is, presents an actual fable, and explains the lesson it is trying to teach readers. The text is very straightforward and is broken up by illustrations and other interesting features, such as fun facts and QR codes that link to relevant online resources. A glossary, index, and “Making Connections” questions round out each volume in the series. This is a very useful, accessible series for teaching kids important lessons. 

THOUGHTS: What I loved about this series is that it does an excellent job of taking old fables and making them relevant to kids today. It incorporates technology through the use of QR codes, provides real-life examples of consequences one might actually experience, and poses questions that enable readers to relate the lessons to their own personal experiences. The online resources are entertaining and interactive. This would be an excellent addition to any elementary school in which character education is taught.

398.2 Folklore          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

YA – This Woven Kingdom

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Mafi, Tahereh. This Woven Kingdom. HarperCollins, 2022. 978-0-062-97244-6. $19.99. 512 p. Grades 9-12.

In the fantastic world of Ardunia, humans and Jinn are allowed to live among each other, according to the Fire Accords set in place by the current king, as long as they don’t use their powers and lie low. Despite the accords, Alizeh keeps her Jinn identity a secret from everyone around her. Although Alizeh is a powerful Jinn with ice in her veins, she lives a lonely life as a servant, cleaning the home of a duchess and working as a seamstress on the side for extra money. When she accidentally crosses paths with Prince Kamran, both her world and his are turned upside down. Kamran can’t stop thinking about her, even when he discovers her true identity and the prophecy that predicts she’ll be the downfall of his royal family. As their lives continue to intertwine, Alizeh holds onto her secrets while Kamran discovers the ones lurking within his own palace. These two are destined to be enemies, but can they become allies – or something more?

THOUGHTS: This Woven Kingdom is based on Persian mythology; however, it still reminded me of the Cinderella fairy tale. Although Alizeh is working as a servant, she’s actually a princess in disguise. At one point in the story, she’s given an opportunity to attend a ball in honor of Prince Kamran, and Alizeh is dressed and disguised using magic. Alizeh still has a lot of secrets that have yet to be revealed, and I think readers will be waiting impatiently for book two after the cliffhanger ending!

Fantasy          Emily Hoffman, Conestoga Valley SD

Elem. – Tall Tales

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Tall Tales. Child’s World, 2022. $19.95 each. $169.60 set of 8. 24 p. Grades K-3.

Dolbear, Emily J. Alfred Bulltop Stormalong. 978-1-503-85006-4.
—. Calamity Jane. 978-1-503-85004-0.
York, M.J. Casey Jones. 978-1-503-84999-0.
Dolbear, Emily J. John Henry. 978-1-503-85005-7.
York, M.J. Johnny Appleseed. 978-1-503-85000-2.
Dolbear, Emily J. Molly Pitcher. 978-1-503-85003-3.
York, M.J. Paul Bunyan. 978-1-503-85001-9.
—. Pecos Bill. 978-1-503-85002-6.

Traditional American tall tales such as Casey Jones and Paul Bunyan get a new look in this set aimed at early readers. The slim volumes are youngster-friendly; the large print, clean graphic design, and conversational text will draw readers into the story. The scope of the stories is necessarily pared down, but all the fun is intact. Readers learn how Pecos Bill got his name and became the best cowboy in Texas, and they are introduced to the early days of railroading in Casey Jones. Bold, full page illustrations add to the enjoyment. The “Beyond the Story” afterward clues readers into the exaggeration classic in tall tales, and offers insight into real-world connections.  

THOUGHTS: This set provides an abridged version of tall tales where the Steven Kellogg volumes may be too advanced. A good purchase if the collection is in need of such books. 

398.2 Traditional Literature        Nancy Nadig Penn Manor SD

YA – The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

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Oh, Axie. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. Hodder and Stoughton, 2022. 978-1-529-39199-2. 321 p. $16.99. Grades 9-12.

Every year in Mina’s town a maiden is sacrificed to the Sea God hoping to stop all the devastating floods and wars that the townspeople think is due to the Sea God being angry. Mina’s older brother Joon is in love with Shim Cheong, a beautiful girl from their village, and one year it is decided that she will be sacrificed to the Sea God. Joon decides to follow and interfere which Mina knows means that he will die. In a split moment decision, Mina throws herself into the water, saving her brother and hoping that she can be the Sea God’s “true bride” and stop all the devastation that is plaguing her town. But when Mina gets to the Spirit Realm, she finds that the Sea God is trapped in an enchanted sleep. Will Mina be able to wake him up and save her town? Or will she be trapped in the Spirit Realm forever?

THOUGHTS: This was a wonderful fantasy stand alone! There are several twists and turns which just add to the overall feel of the story making the reader need to keep turning the pages to see what happens. This book is a great addition to any high school collection!!

Fantasy            Mary McEndree, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy

Elem. – Moon Pops

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Baek, Heena. Moon Pops. Owlkids, 2021. 978-1-771-47429-0. Unpaged $19.95. Grades PreK-K. 

In Korean folklore, the full moon is associated with a rabbit pounding items with a mortar and pestle. Author and illustrator Heena Baek puts a unique spin on this folklore in her story Moon Pops (translated from the original Korean by Jieun Kiaer). One hot night, in a city populated by animals, the residents of an apartment building attempt to sleep and escape the heat. When a steady dripping noise is heard, Granny (a wolf) discovers that the moon is melting! She runs outside and catches the moon drops with her bucket. Back in her apartment, she ponders what to do with the moon drops, when the idea of making cool, refreshing moon pops (ice pops made with moon drops). When a power outage hits the building (due to too many folks running their air conditioning), Granny distributes her refreshing moon pops to her neighbors, who are refreshed and cooled by the icy treats. Later, a knock is heard at Granny’s door–it is a pair of rabbits, dejected by the loss of their now melted moon home. Thankfully, Granny has another idea up her sleeve that might just result in the restoration of the moon. The story is illustrated with photographs of mixed media 3D dioramas that give the setting and characters depth and make excellent use of the elements of light and shadow. Of special note are the moon pops themselves, which emanate a glowing light reminiscent of the moon. 

THOUGHTS: This title easily could be incorporated into units on folklore, Korea, or animal stories. After reading the story, students will want to enjoy an icy treat themselves–why not go out and enjoy popsicles as a class or create your own as a class project. Highly recommended. 

Picture Book          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

MG – The Legend of Auntie Po

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Khor, Shing Yin. The Legend of Auntie Po. Kokila, 2021. 978-0-525-55489-9. 290 p. $12.99. Grades 5-8.

The Legend of Auntie Po is a story about stories, specifically the legend of Po Pan Yin and her trusty blue water buffalo, Pei Pei, as told by 13-year old Mei. Mei lives in a Sierra Nevada logging camp with her father, Hao, who is the camp’s head cook. At night she gathers the little ones around the campfire and shares tales of Auntie Po, the matriarch of all loggers who “stood taller than the tallest white pine.” While gathering kindling in the forest, Mei bumps into Auntie Po and Pei Pei, and wonders if she can actually conjure the stories she tells. This magical revelation collides with the all-too-real anti-Chinese violence of 1885. When the camp manager is forced to fire all of his Chinese workers, Hao must move into town and leave Mei behind at camp. In the midst of this upheaval, stories about Auntie Po allow Mei to express her emotions, which include anger, frustration, fear, jealousy, and also wonder. In her Author’s Note, Shing Yin Khor writes that this graphic novel is, among other things, “about who gets to own a myth.” Some readers will recognize a reclaiming of the Paul Bunyan legend, while others will simply appreciate the stories and accompanying rustic pencil-and-watercolor illustrations.

THOUGHTS: This remarkable blend of history, legend, and art has multiple layers to explore and enjoy!

Graphic Novel          Amy V. Pickett, Ridley SD

MG – Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

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Mejia, Tehlor Kay. Paola Santiago and the River of Tears. Disney-Hyperion, 2020. 978-1-368-04917-7. 350 p. $16.99. Grades 4-7.

Scientific Paola just eyerolls when her superstitious mother talks of spells, wards, and evil beings like La Llorona, the creature who roams the river stealing children to replace those she lost. But Paola and her friends Emma and Dante do respect the Gila River near their Arizona home. Several local children have drowned in the waters. Not that that stops them from lying to their parents and hanging out on the banks of the river. But when Paola repeatedly has dreams of a creature reaching out of the waters and grabbing her, and Emma disappears one evening, Paola begins to reconsider whether her mother’s superstitions are as ridiculous as she always assumed them to be. When the police refuse to listen to Paola, she and Dante decide to take matters into their own hands. Armed with support and advice from a most surprising source, they venture into a world of legendary monsters battled by lost children, shocked to discover their own roles in this world that shouldn’t exist. Paola Santiago, part of the Rick Riordan imprint, is a page turner from the very beginning. Pao is a delightful protagonist, supported by her two best friends. Scientific-minded, fascinated by space, she is stunned by the existence of magic, myth, and monsters. Dante and Emma are strong characters as well (in every sense of the word), and the various creatures they encounter don’t stand a chance against the combined wiles of the trio. But Pao also learns that there is more to life than what the power of physics can prove and becomes closer to her mother through the ordeal. Paola and Dante are Hispanic; Emma is white.

THOUGHTS: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is an exciting page turner that is hard to put down. Paola is a feisty heroine who is easy to love and is sure to gain legions of fans. Add this to your collection if other mythology-based books are popular.

Fantasy/Mythology          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD