Fables and Fairy Tales Books

Great teamwork between the writer and illustrator. This books brings imagination to it's fullest. This series appears collectible in areas of the country. I would like to find more work by the artist Philip Kuznicki.

Mangoes & Bananas is a children's picturebook remarkably illustrated through the traditional art from of Kalamkari, originally developed on the southeastern coast of India in the 17th century. Kalamkari has been used to create beautiful designs on cloth for hundreds of years; Mangoes & Bananas is the first time Kalamkari art has been used to illustrate a book. The results bring to life simple figures and gently muted colors, giving a unique feel to the engaging story about a mouse deer and a monkey who are best friends. They grow a mango and a banana tree together, planning to share the fruit; but only the monkey can climb up high enough to pluck the fruit. In a moment of greed and weakness, the monkey eats all of the bananas; when it seems the monkey is about to succumb and devour the mangoes as well, the mouse deer must quickly come up with a clever plan to secure a fair share of the fruit! A clever and appealing cross-cultural storybook.

The characters in this book are the people you grew up with in your own community. This book is serious, funny and exciting. I could not put it down for too long. The story can be literally applied to any group people. I truly loved it!

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The rain goddess lives in the clouds, but though her home's gorgeous, she isn't happy but lonely. The gods provide her with no husband so she decides to look among the mortals, with unusual results. A fine South African myth.

Finally a book that is age-appropriate for 5 year old girls who want a bit more challenge than picture books offer! My daughter loves to read chapter books, but we've found most to have content and language that we didn't like. This was our first book from this series, but we look forward to reading more.

As a teacher in Barbados, I search constantly for materials that are relevant to my children's experiences. What a delight it was to find Mr. Laurie's Mauby books. The characters are well defined... I came to detest the manipulative and cruel Sly One... and equally adore the kind, helpful Clipper. The plots are thrill a minute. I read them to every class I have every November as a point of national pride (Mr. Laurie is a Barbadian). I spread it out over a week, and every day, the children beg me to read a little more.

This book ( and the other two in the series) are wonderful for children from four to twelve. They are a real journey in imagination. It is especially wonderful for Caribbean children and children of Caribbean heritage as the characters in the books are all Caribbean creatures, and the setting is a Caribbean island. The language in the book is exquisite, and sure to enhance your child's vocabulary.

This book is a definite go out and buy. Share it with your children or your class.

This is a very moving story and a beautifully written piece of literature!

Used this book as a part of our cultural curriculum. My students really enjoyed the story and illustrations.

It's a shame this book is out of print. I love the way the stories are written, as if the author is speaking directly to us... holds my four year old's attention no problem. Not to mention the illustrations are enchanting.

This book has it all--bare bones stories that provide plenty of scope for imagination, helpful hints for telling each one, and great sections on medieval Europe and the medieval tradition of storytelling. Children will like this book because Czarnota has made the characters inviting and the stories exciting; parents will like this book because their children will be learning something; and teachers will love this book because it provides fodder for an entire teaching unit--there are suggested activites, dress up ideas, the whole nine yards. It's also a good resource for children and adults who are beginning to tell stories, whether professionally or just for fun. Czarnota gives all the background information necessary for anyone to make up their own stories from the skeleton she provides. All in all, a wonderful addition to almost any collection: library, classroom, storyteller's, or kid's.