Folklore from Around the World A storytelling guide

1. Folklore from Around the WorldA storytelling guide A children’s literature pathfinder for public library patrons by Leslie Stair

2. What is Folklore? Folklore Pronunciation: 'fOk-"lor Function: noun • 1: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people • 2: a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore • 3: an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated From Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/folklore

3. About this Pathfinder • For parents/caregivers, teachers, librarians, storytellers, young people who are independent readers and anyone interested in multicultural stories, traditional folk tales and storytelling. • The selections in this pathfinder highlight folklore from around the world as well as touching upon the art of storytelling and oral tradition. • These materials are specifically appropriate for preparing and presenting storytime presentations for younger children (roughly preschool through the fourth grade) but many are also appropriate for use with and by older children as well.

4. Uses for this Pathfinder • As a handout for parents, teachers, and older students following a library storyhour featuring folktales. • A guide for young people in elementary or middle school working on assignments related to creative writing, multiculturalism, storytelling, folklore, etc. (bibliographic instruction opportunity) • For teachers as an aid in lesson planning. • To assist librarians, other professionals or those with a casual interest in planning a folklore themed storytime. • For anyone who simply enjoys folk tales and the oral tradition of storytelling and wants to read and learn more!

5. Formats Included • Picture books • Audio cassettes • Visual materials such as DVDs and videos • Folklore collections • Print and online resources for those interested in performing and sharing this oral tradition with others.

6. Selection Process • Multiple, positive reviews in professional journals(for print and audio visual materials.) • Inclusion of traditional stories from many different cultures • Audience: generally, PreK to 4th grade(although some exceptions were made to include a more diverse group of materials) • Picture books that were specifically mentioned as being appropriate for storytime presentations • Stories with not too dismal or morbid of an ending. (Although I did not actually get a chance to read each one.)

7. Online Resources • http://www.storynet.org • http://www.storycraft.com The National Storytelling Network A professional organization with lots of great links and information The Kid’s Storytelling Club A site geared towards young people recommended by the NSN

8. Notes about this Pathfinder • Full citations are given for each resource but call numbers were omitted because public libraries often shelve these materials in different ways. The subject headings for each group of materials is intended as a directional hint for locating materials. Please ask your local library where these items can be found. • Audio/Visual materials are often kept in a area set aside for non-print materials. • Picture Books are generally arranged together by the author’s last name. However, folklore titles are often -but not always- found in a nearby but separate location arranged according to the Dewey system (generally, 398). • Story Collections and Resource Guides are often found under their related Dewey or LC call numbers as well but again, this may vary. • Annotations for the “Collections” were omitted due to the broad nature of these materials and the description implied by the title.

9. Folklore from Around the World Mongolia-Northern Asia AmericanSouthwest-USA France-Europe Palestine-MiddleEast Bali-Indonesia