Today I am very excited to present a guest post by my dear son Vidur Sury, who loves folktales from around the world. My heart literally warmed over when he offered to write today’s post. (I should add this tip to the eleven easy ways to elevate energy levels = get someone to guest post!). The idea came about when we were discussing topics for April’s A to Z Challenge – and F for Folktales from around the world seemed the most natural thing for Vidur.
Vidur Sury, 15 years old, has been blogging since 2008 and writes his own blog at vidursury.com. His interests are varied and he has a passion for math, mythology, science, folktales from around the world, temples, old Indian film music (the 1930′s to 1940′s), cultures and costumes, languages and general knowledge. He is a talented artist and thrills us with his visual thinking. He is in his seventh year of learning Hindustani Classical Vocal music. He also enjoys writing his own stories and illustrating them and hopes to publish a series of books!
Take it away, Vidur!
Folktales from around the world
Around the World In 80 Tales – A book review
I am very thankful to my dear Mother and avid blogger, who has been my main encouragement and inspiration for blogging, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to write this guest post. It was a very enjoyable experience. Thank you, Mummy!
This is my review of the book ‘Around the world in 80 tales’, authored by Saviour Pirotta, which is about folktales around the world.
This book is a treasure of traditional folktales from all 6 continents, retold in a simple and coherent style. It has a diverse range of stories from 80 different countries, ranging from well known folktale locations like USA, Canada, Brazil, England, Germany, Soviet Union, Ghana, Nigeria, India, China, South Korea, Japan and Australia, to countries from which tales are rare to find, like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay, Wales, Malta, Portugal, Belgium, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Botswana, Israel, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Care has been taken to cover a large number of nations and bring in colourful variety. It vividly displays global cultures and narrates both very new and a few familiar stories as well. Some familiar characters of world folklore like Brer Rabbit, Anansi, Cap O’ Rushes, The Selkie Wife, A Real Princess, Three Billy Goats Gruff are also included. This is a wonderful compilation of very interesting and captivating stories. It is equally enjoyable both for children as well as for adults. Stories have been chosen to suit all ages.
It is illustrated lavishly and beautifully by Richard Johnson, who has rightfully given importance to regional variety of style of art, costumes, culture, etc. A majority of the stories have pictures. There are pictures pertaining to each continent. In fact, even the corners of the pages are decorated with pictures. This will truly interest children. This book will help readers to be acquainted with international cultures, respect them and contribute towards global harmony and mutual understanding.
What I liked about the book
This book is very dear to me, and I find it absolutely praiseworthy. It is a valuable gift from my parents and grandmother. The variety of stories is both very enjoyable as well as sufficiently laid out. The very colourful illustrations are a true pleasure to behold, very well done, and very encouraging in terms of artwork. At the beginning and at the end of the book, world maps given with small pictures of unique cultural, biological, historical and geographical diversity are an added attraction. I strongly recommend this book to readers of all ages and especially to folktale lovers like me.
What I would have liked to see in this book
This book was superb and cannot be criticised seriously. Any improvements expected would be minor. It would be more interesting if illustrations are given for each and every story instead of majority of the stories. Among stories from North America, there are 3 stories for USA alone, including country, native American and Afro – American stories. Instead, it would be better to include only one of these, and in place of the other two, some Caribbean, West Indies’ or more Central American folk tales could be included as they have not been represented or there is a dearth of stories from these places.
All in all, this book is a treasury of world folklore and a key to conserve world heritage.
Title: Around the world in 80 tales
Author: Saviour Pirotta
Illustrator: Richard Johnson
Publisher: Kingfisher
ISBN: 075345999X
Language: English
Number of pages: 176
Find Around the World in 80 Tales at Amazon
Infibeam and the author’s website
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Thank you, Vidur!
Did you enjoy the review, dear friends?
What is your favorite folk tale?
Today, I recommend:
Sridevi Datta’s F for Fiction (The Friendly Tree Ghost) a delightful story with a message
Suzy Q’s F for Fountains – for refreshing photos of beautiful fountains
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