To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles.
January, 2008 -- European Traditional Tales
A Handful of Beans: Six Fairy Tales retold by Jeanne Steig. The author retells six fairy tales in language familiar to modern young people. Included are: "Rumpelstiltskin", "Beauty and the Beast", "Hansel and Gretel", "Little Red Riding Hood", "The Frog Prince", and "Jack and the Beanstalk". K-3. Cassette book RC 48400.
Los Tres Osos by Frederick and Patricia McKissack. Brief version of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” in Spanish. A bear family returns to their home to find that an uninvited visitor has created some problems. K-3. Large Print book LP 8362.
Little Red Riding Hood adapted by Lucy Kincaid. The traditional “Little Red Riding Hood” story has been somewhat reduced in violence in this version. Book includes a picture search activity. Grades 2-4. Large Print book LP 23073.
Puss in Boots adapted by Charles Perrault. With his clever cat guiding every move, a poor miller's son is able to gain a fortune and marry princess. The 1/4” pale font of the Print/Braille book is suitable for some Large Print readers. Grades 2-4. Print/Braille book BR 8910. Braille book BRW 388.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves translated by Wanda Gag. A wicked queen with magical powers is determined to do away with her stepdaughter who is more beautiful. Luckily there are many who want to protect the sweet young girl. Grades 2-4. Cassette book RC 18633.
Fables From Aesop adapted by Tom Lynch. A selection of 14 of Aesop's animal tales, each conveying a moral lesson about human behavior. Fun fabric interpretations were photographed to illustrate this picture book. 3/16” font of the Print/Braille book is suitable for some Large Print readers. Grades 3-6. Print/Braille book BR 13077.
Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories translated by Eric Christian Haugaard. A careful translation of an 1874 edition of stories written by the well-known Danish author. “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling” are two of the more than 150 tales. Grade 3 and up. Cassette book RC 56309.
Lazy Jack by Tony Ross. Jack would rather not work at all, but he does because his mother insists. Still, the efforts of his labor are always lost because he loses his pay in increasingly silly ways. Grades 3-6. Print/Braille book BR 7501.
Rumpelstiltskin retold by Paul O. Zelinsky. A lively retelling of how the mysterious Rumpelstiltskin extracted a promise from the miller's daughter in a desperate situation, but was outwitted before he could collect his terrible price when she became queen. Grades 3-6. Print/Braille book BR 7108. Cassette book RC 25470.
The Blue Fairy Book collected by Andrew Lang. One of several fairy tale collections by Lang, this one holds 32 stories. Many are the well-known favorites, but others are more diverse. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 14695.
The Brothers Grimm: Popular Folktales translated by Brian Alderson. Thirty-one folktales collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm including such classics as “The Fisherman and His Wife”, “The Bremen Town Musicians”, and “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 14175.
Cinderella retold by Charles Perrault. A fairy godmother helps the hardworking Cinderella go to the Royal Ball, enabling her eventual escape from the home of her abusive stepmother and stepsisters. Grades 4-7. Print/Braille book BR 6111. Braille book BRW 605. Cassette book RC 22320.
Rapunzel retold by Paul O. Zelinsky. Because a pregnant woman insists her husband steal the greens she craves from a witch's garden, her much-longed-for child is locked away in a tower by the witch. Who can save her? Grades 4-7. Print/Braille book BR 11018.
Beast by Donna Jo Napoli. A novel that elaborates on the tale of "Beauty and the Beast" from the Beast's perspective. A Persian prince is transformed into a lion for violating a ritual. He retreats to France to save his life. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 52717. Large Print book LP 21926.
East by Edith Pattou. The traditional “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” tale is expanded and enriched with fully developed characters and action. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 61655.
The Mammoth Book of Fairy Tales edited by Mike Ashley. Anthology of 56 tales including old favorites like "Beauty and the Beast", "Jack and the Beanstalk", and "Sleeping Beauty" as well more recent fantasy stories by such authors as Joan Aiken, Robin McKinley, and Jane Yolen. Grade 7 and up. Cassette book RC 43791.
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley. A fairy who can speak to animals raises a princess, trying to protect her from a wicked fairy's curse. The traditional “Sleeping Beauty” tale provides only the kernel of this intricate, full-length novel, complete with unexpected twists. Grade 7 and up. Braille book BR 15579. Cassette book RC 51708.
To order these books and others like these, use the link to the "On-line Catalog (OPAC)" at www.wtbbl.org. Order these books or use keyword search or subject search to find more like these. You can limit your search by reading level and/or material format.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.