Earth Care: World Folktales to Talk about [Paperback]

Margaret Read MacDonald (Author), Margaret, R. MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

A collection of traditional tales and proverbs from over twenty countries or ethnic groups, touching upon both human and ecological themes such as environmental protection, the care of other creatures, and the connection of all things in nature.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-MacDonald is a grande dame of storytelling, and this is a grand collection. These 41 selections from 30 countries all focus on "the problems in our relationship with nature." The stories range in length from a few paragraphs to seven pages. Each one is preceded by a comment about the theme of the piece and, often, remarks addressed to storytellers. A proverb related to the selection follows each entry. Arranged in 13 thematic groupings, the tales, legends, poems, and fables are all credited to a specific culture, country, or author. Five other well-known storytellers have contributed retellings to the collection. As befits stories from many places, the writing/telling style is noticeably different in each one, reflecting the flavor of the tellers and the language and people of those places. Easy connections between the stories and social-studies units could be made. A delightful choice.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6 and up, younger for reading aloud. MacDonald, noted storyteller and author of Peace Tales (1992), brings the same high-minded, down-to-earth sense of humor and methodical scholarship to this companion volume of folktales, proverbs, poetry, and twentieth-century stories on themes related to nature and the generally disastrous consequences of meddling with it. Most of the selections will be new even to veteran story collectors. Highlights include a funny Hmong tale about vegetables coping with a lazy farmer on one side and pushy weeds on the other. A succinct introduction opens each story, an appropriate proverb closes it, and MacDonald uses simple, breath-conscious phrasing that will be great for story tellers. Enhanced by lists of additional stories and a cultural index, this is an invaluable resource for both environmental studies and general consciousness-raising. Endnotes John Peters --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Linnet Books; 1st edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208024263
• ISBN-13: 978-0208024268
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,225,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald travels the world telling stories....always on the lookout for more great folktales to share. She shapes these found stories into tellable tales which anyone can share with ease. Filling her folktale collections with these delightful tales, she creates perfect read alouds for you and your family. MRM wants everyone to experience the joy of a beautifully told tale. She hopes you will read them a few times...then put down the book...put down the electronic device...and just TELL the story to your children!

Some of her favorite folktales she expands into picture books...hopefully with delightfully readable language while will roll right out of your mouth. Share them with your children and then....act the tales out! Revisit the tales by TELLING them! At bedtime. While on the road. Fill your pockets with great stories to share wherever you go.

Joining her Folklore Ph.D. with her 30 plus years as a children's librarian, Margaret brings folktales to life in playful, lilting language which should delight both reader and listener.

See her performance schedule at: www.margaretreadmaconald.com