Folktales for a Better World: Stories of Peace and Kindness
by Elizabeth Laird (Author) Mehrdokht Amini (Illustrator)
Seven stories celebrating peace, kindness, and forgiveness from seven countries that have all suffered from wars and conflicts in recent times told by an award-winning author.
Will two clans in Ethiopia make peace by throwing their most precious possessions in the river? Can a poor Palestinian shepherd show a rich sultan the value of true kindness? Or will an angel in Afghanistan find a way to turn the selfish Emir into a caring ruler? Buried treasure and an act of forgiveness reunite a father and daughter in Sudan while a camel is the key to choosing a kind and fair ruler for the kingdom of Yemen. Hear the Syrian story of the woodcutter and the lion to discover the meaning of friendship, and then follow nine courageous Uighur princesses of Kashgar, as they bring peace to their kingdom - without any fighting.
The importance of peace and kindness in our lives shines through these timeless, inspirational stories from seven countries, beautifully told and illustrated with empathy and humor.
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School Library Journal
Some of our earliest encounters listening to stories might come from folktales, shared across generations; Laird offers folktales from Ethiopia, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, and China. Amini adds an exciting visual dimension to traditional oral storytelling, making this an ideal book for story times, read-alongs, or readers who rely on visuals for reading comprehension. In clear, crafted language, the collection presents children with stories about community, reconciliation, and kindness from people living in hardship. As Laird explains in the introduction, "War, invasions, and oppression" have, and continue to, bring harm. Yet Laird writes of peace in the introduction, offering to share and complicate the oversimplified hardship narratives that dominate global understandings of places and people. VERDICT Playful and serious, fraught and kind, these stories—and the accompanying illustrations—are essential, and will be at home when shared, or for one-on-one readings for lower elementary students.—Jessica Schriver
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
JUV012030 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | General
JUV022000 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, & Fables | General
JUV038000 - Juvenile Fiction | Short Stories
Folklore
Tales
Folk tales
