70 Folktales and Fables from Around the World

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[Tweet “Did you know that the week of March 17th-23rd is World Folk Tales and Fables Week?”] It’s a time to encourage children to explore and learn lessons from stories and legends that have been passed through the ages globally.

Below I have gathered a round up of fantastic picture books to use to expose your child to some wonderful legends, myths, and other tales from all around the world!

Asia

The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale by Ed Young
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
Judge Rabbit and the Tree Spirit by Lina Mao Wall
The Drum: A Folktale from India by Rob Cleveland
The Jade Stone: A Chinese Folktale by Caryn Yacowitz
The Green Frogs: A Korean Folktale by Yumi Heo
How the Tiger Got His Stripes: A Folktale from Vietnam by Rob Cleveland
The Archer and the Sun by Rob Cleveland
The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop
Grandma and the Great Gourd by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Africa

Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky by Elphinstone Dayrell
Koi and the Kola Nuts by Verna Aardema
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema
Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa by Gerald McDermott
Anansi and the Talking Melon by Eric A. Kimmel
The Well of Truth: A Folktale from Egypt by Martha Hamilton
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
How the Zebra Got His Stripes by Cari Mostert
The Heart of a Friendship: An East African Folktale by H. Arrington

Australia/Oceania

Rainbow Bird: An Aboriginal Folktale from Northern Australia by Eric Maddern
The Biggest Frog in Australia by Susan Roth
What Made Tiddalik Laugh by Joanna Troughton
Galah and Oolah: An Australian Folktale by Anastasia Suen
The Sun and the Kookaburra: An Aboriginal Folktale from Australia by Jan Mike
The Flower Seekers: An Australian Aboriginal Folktale by Kwan Shan Mei
Whale’s Canoe: A Folktale from Australia by Joanna Troughton
Why Koala Has a Stumpy Tail by Martha Hamilton
The Bunyip: A Folktale from Australia by Steve Osborn
How the Turtle Got Its Shell by Jeffrey Lee

Europe

Fat Cat: A Danish Folktale by Margaret Reed MacDonald
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle by Margaret Reed MacDonald
The Man Who Kept His Heart in a Bucket by Sonia Levitin
The Snow Child: A Russian Folktale by Freya Littledale
Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale by Anthony L. Manna
The Beautiful Butterfly: A Folktale from Spain by Judy Sierra
Three Perfect Peaches: A French Folktale by Cynthia C. DeFelice
The Parrot: An Italian Folktale by Raffaella Gal
Prince of the Stable: A Hungarian Legend by Christopher Keane
Baba Yaga: A Russian Folktale by Eric A. Kimmel

North America

The Jack Tales:Folktales from the Southern Appalachian by Richard Chase
The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci
How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton
Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest by Gerald McDermott
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble
Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg
The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola
Antelope Woman: An Apache Folktale by Michael Lacapa
The Magic Hummingbird: A Hopi Folktale by Michael Lomatuway’ma
John Henry by Julius Lester

South America

The Dancing Turtle: A Folktale from Brazil by Pleasant DeSpain
The Llama’s Secret: A Peruvian Legend by Palacios
How Night Came from the Sea: A Story from Brazil by Mary Joan Gerson
The Monkey’s Whiskers: A Brazilian Folktale by Anne Rockwell
Chancay and the Secret of Fire: A Peruvian Folktale by Charles Donald
Moon Rope by Lois Ehlert
The Fox in the Moon by Franciso X. Mora
Mariana and the Merchild: A Folktale from Chile by Caroline Pitcher
The Search for the Magic Lake: A Folktale from Ecuador by Donna Perrone
James the Vine Puller: A Brazilian Folktale by Martha Bennett Stiles

The Artic/Antarctic

Kumak’s Fish: A Tale from the Far North
The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale by Lydia Dabcovich
Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights by Mindy Dwyer
The Eye of the Needle: Based on a Yupik Tale by Betty Huffmon
Raven Brings the Light: An Inuit Folktale by Kim Howard
The Giant Bear: An Inuit Folktale by Jose Angutingunrik
The Dancing Fox by John Bierhorst
The Seal Oil Lamp by Dale de Armond
Berry Magic by Teri Sloat
The Salmon Princess by Mindy Dwyer

What’s your favorite folktale or fable?

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Dusty

Dusty is a stay at home, homeschooling mother of four and has been married to the love of her life, a Southern gentleman, for 8 years. She is trying to find her own path in this great wide world while devouring chocolate and leaning on the Lord. She blogs about homeschooling, homemaking, motherhood and faith at To the Moon and Back.