Tales From Silver Lands

Published |
Updated
 
0.0 (0)
236 0
tales from the silver lands

Book Information

Category
Short Stories
Reader Personality Type
Illustrator
Publisher
Dover Publications 2017 (Originally published in 1924 by Doubleday)
Year Award Won
1925

Winner of the 1925 Newbery Medal

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.---from the publisher

256 pages                                978-0486820934                     Ages 8-12

Keywords:  short stories, South America, folktales, diversity, diverse books, multicultural, supernatural, Newbery Medal, folklore, fairy tales, witches, giants, cultures, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old

Other reviews:

"In the canon of Newbery winners, there isn't a lack of stinkers. Apparently, the librarians of yore who populated the Newbery committees were tasked with rooting out the most boring book to thrust upon their unsuspecting patrons. Though many may argue that the committees are still selecting snooze-worthy tomes, few will ever surpass Charles J. Finger’s colossally dull Tales from Silver Lands. His collection of nineteen Latin & South American folktales clocks in at a little over 200 pages, yet it took me nearly two months to force myself to read every blessed story."--Joe on Goodreads

"Felt like I was falling down a mountain. I liked each short story less and less as the book went on. I tried to read them faster and faster."---Colby Sharp on Goodreads

"A collection of stories told to children and among adults in South America. The author collected them from the locals as he traveled among them. I had great fun reading the book and delighted in how different the stories were from the ones I learned as a child. My favorite was the story of Nasca and the fox-faced man. "---Debbie on Goodreads

User reviews

Have you read this book? We'd love to hear what you think. Click the button below to write your own review!
Already have an account? or Create an account