Not Cinderella Again!
Lesser known folk and fairy tales

Frog prince

The Inch High SamuraiRetold by Ralph F. McCarthy J 398.21 M118i
A tiny warrior proves that its what's inside rather than outside that really counts, when you want to gain your dreams (Japan)
The Children of LirRetold by Sheila MacGill-Callahan. J398.21 M175c
Two Princes and Two Princesses are put under a terrible spell by their stepmother. Will their animal friends be able to help them break the curse? (Ireland)
Princess Florecita and the Iron Shoesretold by John Stewig J398.21 S852p
The Princess Florecita hears of a prince under a terrible spell, and decides she will be the one to free him no matter what it takes. (Spain)
Wiil WaalRetold by Kathleen Moriarty J398.2096 Moriarty
The sultan of a small providence gives his people a riddle as a challenge. One shepherd's daughter may be the only one smart enough to solve it. This book has the English text on the left page, and the Somali text on the right. (Somali)
Sukey and the Mermaid retold by Robert San Souci. J398.21 San Souc
Sukey's step father works her hard and without love. But when Sukey meets a mer-maid, her luck changes. (American South Folklore)
The Legend of the Old Man in the Mountainretold by Denise Ortakales J398.2089 Ortakale
When a great warriors wife has to travel back to her tribe to visit her dying father, her husband keeps faithful watch for her return (Native American- Pemigewasset. New Hampshire lore)
The Twelve Months retold by Rafe Martin J 398.2 Martin
A girl is taken in by her hardhearted aunt and cousin, and made a slave in their house. When they try to get rid of her in the cold of the winter, the spirits of the 12 months of the year come to her aid. (Slavic)
Lon Po Po retold by Ed Young J 398.2 Young
When 3 sisters have an unexpected visitor, they must use their heads to outsmart a tricky wolf (China)
The Tanuki's GiftRetold by Tim Myers J 398.2 Myers
When a Buddhist Monk helps a Tanuki…a large raccoon like animal…he learns what the most valuable things in the world are: Friendship and love. (Japan)
Anansi and the Magic StickRetold by Eric Kimmel. J 398.24 Kimmel
Anansi the spider wants to have a beautiful house, but is too lazy to do any work. He finds a way, but it causes more trouble than good. (West Africa)
The Frog PrincessRetold by J. Patrick Lewis. J398.21 L587f
The three sons of the tsar are sent into the world to find their brides. The youngest finds a frog, and an adventure he wasn't expecting (Russia)
The Three Princes Retold by Eric Kimmel J398.21 K571t
A princess sends her three suitors off to find her the world's greatest wonder. The one who returns with the greatest item will marry her. But things don't go according to plan (Middle East)
Papa GattoRetold by Ruth Sanderson J398.2 S216p
Papa Gatto, the prince's cat advisor, needs a nursemaid to care for his home and kittens. He chooses Selfish but beautiful Sophia first, and then plain but kind Beatrice after. But Sophia will stop at nothing to gain Pappa Gatto's wealth… (Italian)
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters retold by John Steptoe J 398.2 S83m
Mufaro has two beautiful daughters. Manyara is selfish and Nyasha is kind. When a powerful king sends out word he is looking for a wife, both daughters try their luck. But this king is more than he seems. (Zimbabwe)
Raisel's Riddleretold by Erica Silverman J 398.2 Silverman
A young Polish woman is raised by her wise scholar Grandfather, and taught to read, write, and think. When her grandfather dies, Raisel becomes a servant in the house of a respected Rabbi where she finds a chance to find real happiness. (Jewish Folklore)
The Legend of the Bluebonnetretold by Tomie DePaola J 398.2 De Paola
A young girl must give up the thing she loves the most to save her people in this tale of how the Bluebonnet flower came to be. (Native American –Comanche. Texas Lore)
The Magic Tree retold by T. Obinkaram Echewa J 398.2 Echewa
A young orphan is treated very poorly by his village until he is gifted with a magic tree. (Nigeria)
Lord of the Cranesretold by Kerstin Chen J 398.2 Chen
A beggar comes to the door of a kind inn owner, and rewards his generosity in a very unusual way. (China)

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updated : November 4, 2008