Traditional Literature
stories that are passed down from one generation to another.
It Could Always be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach
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In a small village there was a family with a husband, wife, and six children all in one room. They were all so crowded and tired of each other so they fought all the time. One day the husband decided to go see the Rabbi and get advice and help from him. He explained to the Rabbi what was going on at his house and they Rabbi tried to help. He told him to put the animals in the house to live with them. This made the problem worse, and now there were feathers everywhere. After several days the house was a complete mess and everyone was even more tired of each other than they were before. Once again the husband went to the Rabbi and explained everything. This time the Rabbi told him to take out all the animals in the house. He did this immediately once he got home. The house was cleaner, quieter, and everyone had room to themselves. This tells the children to never take anything for granted because they don't know what others have or don't have compared to themselves. It goes to show that it can always be worse, and you should not complain about the life you have.
Johnny Appleseed by Jodie Shepherd
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This book shows how Johnny Appleseed came from a young boy who loved the outdoors into the legendary man who spread apple trees all across the United States. In the book, it shows the adventures and experiences Johnny Appleseed goes through just to get where he wanted to be. Showing small acts of generosity and the love of nature can make a big difference, this book is sure to inspire the budding little Johnny Appleseed in every reader. This book shows readers to be determined, and that they can make a different in whatever they do no matter how small it is.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
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Mrs. Mallard was about to hatch eggs and was flying around for a long time with Mr. Mallard to find the perfect spot for them. There was plenty of places they found to stay, but there was always something wrong with them. They finally found a place to hatch the eggs in the park and made a nest to hatch. The eggs came and hatched and Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and her children arrived safely at their new home.
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
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A little girl named Alice lived in a city near the sea. She could see the ships coming in, and one day her grandfather came in to America on a big ship. Alice’s grandfather was making figureheads, and painting pictures in the basement, where Alice would help him paint the skies in the pictures. Her grandfather told her stories of other places, and told her that someday she will go to different places, time went on and she grew up. She moved everywhere to see the world as she was growing up. She moved to a beautiful house by the sea where she saw the sun rise and set, but something was missing. The winter came and he was sick so she stayed in bed when she saw her flowers, Lupines. Spring came and she could go for walks, she then saw a large patch of blue and purple lupines. The wind blew the seeds all the way to her house, and then throughout the city, they were everywhere. Over time she grew old, and people came to see the old lady who planted the flower fields. She was known as the Lupines lady and told her stories to people who visited her.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
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There was a man who had two beautiful daughters. However one of them was not so nice to other people. His one daughter Manyara was mean to her sister and other people in their village. She would tell her sister that she will be queen and that her sister will be her servant, and her kindness was weakness. Nyasha was a kind girl and liked to go to her own garden here she met a snake and let him stay in her garden to live there. Later on their father knew they were looking for a new queen and his daughters would be one of them. Both daughters were going to the city the next day, but Manyara left in the middle of night trying to get their first. As she was walking she sw many scary things on her journey to the city. The next morning her sister woke up and the villagers were worried where she was. They saw her footprints going to the city so they all left to meet her, they however did not see anything scary. They walked up to find Manyara sobbing running out of the palace saying they knew her flaws and chased her out. With a deep breath Nyasha went in to face the beast that scared away her sister, to find it was her garden snake. He transformed into a boy. He knew Nyasha kindness and knew she was the new queen. From this day on she was the beautiful queen, and her sister was her beautiful servant.
Pecos Bill by Patsy Jensen
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One day while traveling with his family, Pecos Bill fell out of the wagon and is found by a coyote who raised him as his own. Bill grows up like a coyote and his friend encounter a variety of obstacles; but then Bill is found by one of his brothers in the desert. Bill's brother gets him horse and he leaves the wild to be with his family. Enchanted by the thought of owning the fastest, most beautiful horse in the world, Bill travels to the ends of the earth and back to tame "Lightning." After being with his family, Bill meets Slewfoot Sue and falls in love. Following his new love to the moon and back, Bill and Sue settle in Texas, where Sue later dies, and Bill is reunited with his animal family.
Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola
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Strega Nona who is also known as "Grandma Witch" is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
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On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. He wanted an adventure very badly, but never got one. When he found the pebble he was walking home when a lion frightens him. Sylvester makes a wish on the pebble that turned him into a rock, which was an unexpected result. His parents are looking for him for the rest of the day and for a couple of months. Sylvester could not turn himself back because he cannot reach the pebble. His parents missed him terribly, but eventually stopped looking. One day they went out on a picnic and used him as a table. They put the pebble on top of the rock which was Sylvester and wished he was back. The wish came true and they lived happily together as a family.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
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Peter rabbit lives with his mother and his siblings under a tree in a sand pile. Their mother let them roam around during the day but they were told to not go into Mr. McGregor’s yard because peters dad was put into a pie by him. Everyone went about running along except peter who stayed behind and went into his yard. Once he was in here he ate all the food he could find. As he was eating Mr. McGregor found him and chased after him as Peter lost both of his shoes. He then got caught in a net and birds helped him out but he lost his coat. He ran to the shed where he hid but was found shortly after. He ran so fast and so far he was tired and sat. He began to cry thinking he would never leave, but then found the way out and ran straight for the gate. He zipped by Mr. McGregor and went straight home. He was missing his clothes and his mom and siblings were wondering. Later he felt sick so he got tea for dinner, and was sent to bed, while his sisters and brothers got food.
Walter the Baker by Eric Carle
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Walter the Baker is famous for his breads, rolls, cookies, tarts, and pies. The Duke and Duchess especially love his warm sweet rolls, delivered fresh to their castle every morning. But one day the cat spills the milk, and Walter is forced to serve the Duke and Duchess rolls made with water. After one bite the Duke throws down his roll in disgust and summons Walter to the castle. He threatens to banish the baker unless he can take the same dough and make a good-tasting roll that the rising sun can shine through three times. This book shows kids how it is okay to not succeed at first, and no matter what they can push through it.