Characteristics of Folktales
What are folktales? Mr. John tells us 5 things to watch for in nearly every folktale.
Folktale Friday
Enjoy these retellings of folktales from around the world by our children's staff!
Folktales: Timeless tales from around the world
Folktales are traditional stories that have been passed down orally for generations and perhaps centuries, long before they were ever written down. Because of this, there is no single version of most folktales, and many have lots of variations. Every country and culture around the world has its own such stories.
You can find our entire children's folktale collection (over 1300 books) on the north wall of the Children's Section, under the carousel painting.
Here are some of our favorites, retold by our children's staff, along with links to the books at the Decatur Public Library. You can find the whole Folktale Friday playlist here on our YouTube channel.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
From Norway: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, retold by Ms. Susan
About The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Mr John tells us more about trolls, and different versions of The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, originally from central Europe, retold by Mr. John
How Old is a Folktale like Little Red Riding Hood?
The story of Little Red Riding Hood has been around a long time, and we can thank the Brothers Grimm for making it popular.
The Lion and the Mouse
The Lion and the Mouse, one of Aesop's fables from ancient Greece, retold by Ms. Susan
What is a Fable?
A fable is a special kind of folktale, and many that we know came from Aesop in ancient Greece.
Zomo the Rabbit
Zomo the Rabbit, a folktale from Nigeria in West Africa, retold by Mr. John
Folktales that Answer "Why?"
The story of Zomo is a special kind of folktale called a "Pourquoi Tale." What does that mean?
Mrs Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile
Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile, a folktale originally from Liberia in West Africa, told by Ms. Susan.
Go to Sleep, Gecko!
From Indonesia, a folktale about a gecko who couldn't get to sleep, retold by Mr. John.
The Tortoise and the Hare
From Aesop's fables of ancient Greece, the story of The Tortoise and the Hare, told by Ms. Susan (with help from Ella the tortoise).
Fables and the "Moral of the Story"
The "moral of the story" from a fable may depend on the country it comes from, as Mr. John illustrates with a story from Africa.
The Monkey and the Crocodile
Mr. John retells a story from India about a trickster monkey and the crocodile who wants to eat him.
Trickster Tales from Around the World
Mr. John tells us about "tricksters" found in folktales from around the world, like the story of the Monkey and the Crocodile.
Lazy Jack!
Mr. John tells us a folktale from England about a silly boy that everyone called "Lazy Jack"!
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle
From England: The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle, retold by Ms. Susan & Ms. Alissa, READiculous!
The Seven Chinese Brothers
Mr John recounts one version of an ancient folktale from China involving seven brothers with extraordinary abilities.
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales
Ms. Susan and Ms. Alissa share a twist on several well-known folk tales from the "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You" series.
Links to the Books
- Three Billy Goats Gruff books
Various versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - Little Red Riding Hood books
Various versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - Tales from the Brothers Grimm
Various versions and collections of folktales from the Brothers Grimm at the Decatur Public Library - The Lion and the Mouse books
Various versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - Aesop's Fables
Various versions and collections of Aesop's fables at the Decatur Public Library - Indonesian Folktales
Folktales from Indonesia at the Decatur Public Library, including "Go to Sleep, Gecko!" - The Tortoise and the Hare books
Various versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - The Monkey and the Crocodile books
Various versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - Trickster Tales from Around the World
Various trickster folktales at the Decatur Public Library - Lazy Jack books
Versions of the story at the Decatur Public Library - The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle
The book with the story Ms. Susan and Ms. Alissa told in the video - The Seven Chinese Brothers books
Book versions of the story Mr. John told of the seven brothers