Folklore

Irish Fairy Tales and Legends 

This book was so great!It is composed of ten Irish folktales-  each taking several pages to tell. Irish mythology (who knew?) and Celtic folklore tell of Irish bravery and and strength. Each story has a sort of resounding message, unlike the other two picture books I read this week. In these tales, the long lasting impressions are actually worthy and valuable for further thought and exploration. Students would love getting the chance to kind of "relax" with hearing and reading these Irish tales. At the same time, students would (unknowingly) connect with the moral and virtuous messages of the tales. Some of the stories are a little sad, like "Deidre and the Sons of Uisneach". I think the most renowned tale, if you will, is "The Pot of Gold"- detailing the lives of leprechauns and their hidden pot of gold nearby. I actually didn't know some of the more less talked about parts of the leprechaun tale. (You'll have to read for those parts). Overall, it was a great collection of stories, and I would defintely love reading to my class- especially around St. Patrick's Day :)

Leavy, U. & Field, S. (1996). Irish fairy tales and legends. Boulder: Roberts Rinehart Publishers.

Brother Rabbit: A Cambodian Tale

This is one of the strangest tales I've ever read. I am actually kind of disappointed in its ending and resounding message. It starts off with Brother Rabbit needing to get across the river so he can enjoy some rice seedlings. He cannot cross the river by himself, so he enlists the aid of a crocodile swimming down the river. Carefully, the rabbit tricks the crocodile into giving him a ride across the river, promising the crocodile that he will fix his rough skin. Once across the river, Brother Rabbit tells the crocodile he is an idiot for believing him and that he simply tricked him to get across the river. From then on, the crocodile vows to eat the rabbit. After Brother Rabbit tricks a woman for rice seedlings and an elephant for helping him get unstuck, the rabbit tricks the crocodile again. The crocodile finally decides on his final plan... Though the reader thinks this plan finally works and that the crocodile finally got his revenge on the tricking rabbit, the rabbit somehow tricks the crocodile from inside the croc's stomach. The ending simply concludes with the deceitful little rabbit getting his way yet again. I'm really not sure why this is a cultural tale, for it doesn't really leave a long lasting impression nor does it leave a moral lesson- unless there is something I'm missing... maybe it's good to trick people into getting what you want? ;)


Ho, M. & Ros, S. (1997). Brother rabbit: A Cambodian tale. New York: Lothrop, Lee, & Shephard Books

The Tale of the Wonderful Tar Baby

I have read this story in the past, never fully understanding the deeper implications of its meaning or underlying racism. Brer Fox tries to trick Brer Rabbit by laying out a "tar baby"- a little dummy with turpentine all over it. It is pictured as an African American person with a hat. The tar baby is set in the middle of the road, while Brer Fox waits for Brer Rabbit in the bushes. Brer Rabbit comes by and says hello to the tar baby, thinking it is an African American sitting in the road. Obviously, the tar baby does not say anything back... so Brer Rabbit becomes frustrated and hits and kicks the tar baby (still thinking it is an African American)... He gets stuck in the turpentine, and Brer Fox comes out to make fun of him. Brer Rabbit eventually comes with a plan so that he is freed from the turpentine. I know this is a classic tale in the southern United States... specifically in Georgia. Uncle Remus stories are told to dozens of children with southern heritage. I never realized how touchy these stories actually are, and I actually got a little enraged by the blatant racism throughout the book. I would certainly never use these books in my future classroom. 

Harris, J. (2007). The tale of the wonderful tar baby. Madison, GA: Southern Lion Books. 

Reese Article

I loved reading this article. It really made me think about how tales and fables about native Americans can perpetuate all of the misunderstandings about the culture that are already out there. As a teacher, it is imperative for me to allow for a safe space in my classroom. Stereotypical and misrepresentations of any culture are not tolerable. Students should be taught to value diversity and multiculturalism. I am SO thankful for Reese's sources that she highlights in the article. When reading tales about different cultures, teachers should ensure that students do not form ideas about a culture simply based on single stories. Rather, teachers should encourage open mindedness and love. Peace and love forever :)