A Forest of Stories : Magical Tree Tales from Around the World - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841488062 ISBN 13: 9781841488066

Publisher: Barefoot Books Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

This unique collection of folktales, compiled by Rina Singh, encourages us to rethink our relationship with trees through the telling of fantastic tales filled with dancing palms, healing fig trees and magical cherry blossoms. Illustrated in radiant hues by artist Helen Cann and containing notes about the individual characteristics of each species, this vibrant collection will encourage children and adults alike to appreciate the essential place of trees in our lives, and help them to translate their appreciation into the desire to protect the trees of the world.

About this title

About the Author:

Rina Singh was born in India and moved to Canada in 1980, where she earned a Master's Degree in creative writing in addition to her teaching degree. Rina currently teaches visual arts, drama and creative movement and lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and two children. A Forest of Stories is her first title for Barefoot Books. Helen Cann has worked as an illustrator since 1992 after graduating from the University of Wales. Helen has illustrated over fifteen beautiful books for children and uses all kinds of patterns to create her artwork, including those from textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewellery and body art. Her previous titles with Barefoot include Mother and Daughter Tales (1996), Mary's Story (1999) and The Lady of Ten Thousand Names (2001).

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6-In reworking these folktales, Singh has made the stories gentler and prettier but less pithy. The selections, each immortalizing a different tree, are presented in a literary form without traditional beginning and ending phrases such as "once upon a time." In place of the simple language of the original tales, the reteller has provided rich stories embellished with much detail that sets the locale with descriptions of clothing, food, and surroundings. In updating the tales, however, there have been some substantive changes. A foolish boy who steals the fruit of a magic tree is turned forever into a part of that tree in the traditional story. In this adaptation, he is set free when the tree is moved to mercy by the tears of the maiden who tempted him to steal the fruit, and thereby a treacherous and foolish deed goes unpunished. A traditional tale in which turtle tricks the townspeople and receives just punishment is changed to a story of a boy, with a tortoise and a monkey as sidekicks, who fools the townspeople and receives a merciful reprieve. Again, wickedness goes unpunished. The beautiful watercolor, graphite, and collage illustrations greatly enhance the text. Each story is prefaced by a framed illustration of the tree with gracefully printed information about it. Charming borders and lovely paintings result in a pretty package, but the tales lack the integrity of their roots.
Marlene Gawron, formerly at Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
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About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1841488062
• ISBN 13: 9781841488066
• Binding: Paperback