Folk Tales and Fables of Asia and Australia (Folk Tales and Fables Series) by Barbara Hayes

Folk Tales and Fables of Asia and Australia (Folk Tales and Fables Series) Reviews

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  Trevor

  One of the stories found in the collection, Folktales, and Fables of Asia and Australia by Robert Ingpen and Barbara Hayes, tells the folk story of Momtaro or Peach Boy. In this story, a man and woman come across a peach, before cutting it open, a boy appears, given by the gods to the couple as they had always wanted a son. They name him, Momotaro, or Peach Boy. Momotaro grows up and asks his parents to go fight demons on the northern island of Japan. Along the way, he agrees to have a dog, monkey, and pheasant join him on his quest. Once they reach the other side of the island, the pheasant surveys the demon landscape and breaks down the iron gate, allowing the rest to charge in. They were victorious, taking the chief demon back as a prisoner and Momotaro returns to take care of his parents until they reached old age.
  
  This story was ok. It was a short story that served the purpose of teaching about honor and loyalty to family. Black and white and color drawing illustrations fill the book and serve as sporadic illustrations to illustrate the story. This book is recommended for later elementary school students as it is not a picture book, but a short chapter book with illustrations that tell of the different folktales and fables.
  
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  Assh

  This is a great collection of stories ranging from Russia to New Zealand. Really cute illustrations, but lacking in source notes. Otherwise a fun read!
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  Joan

  great book for my multicultural unit; has a variety of stories that my students can compare to familiar folk tales and fables.