Adventures of High John the Conqueror

Some stories are hard to tell because they talk about things that are sad, scary, or confusing. These kinds of stories can be tough for the person telling them and for the person listening. But when they’re shared with kindness and care, they can help people understand each other and even feel braver.

In Anansí and the Sky Kingdom, the world is dark and King Lion needs someone brave to bring back the light. After many animals fail, the clever spider Anansí uses his quick wits and trickster skills to visit the Sky Kingdom and save the world.

When a mean lion begins playing pranks on the jungle animals, the resourceful monkey uses his cleverness to turn the tables and restore peace. This humorous children's story is perfect for teaching young readers about the power of intelligence over physical strength.

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At...

In the vibrant Thai folktale The Girl Who Wore Too Much, a young girl named Aree struggles to choose...

In this humorous retelling of a classic British fairy tale, a grumpy old woman learns a big lesson about gratitude after a kind fairy grants her wishes for a grander home.

This book gathers 46 stories from many different places around the world, most of them brought to America by families who immigrated here. Together, the tales create a kind of “world tour” you can take without ever leaving your chair. Even though the stories come from far‑off places, they all share a special Jewish spirit—one that celebrates doing what’s right, using cleverness and kindness to get through tough times, and keeping a good sense of humor along the way.

This funny and rhythmic story teaches kids that a change in perspective can make any home feel perfect. It is an ideal read-aloud book for teaching gratitude and the value of a happy, bustling household.

The Well of Truth is a funny Egyptian folktale about three friends—Goat, Rooster, and Donkey—who decide to start a farm together. When their clover field is suddenly destroyed, Donkey tries to hide a greedy secret.

Discover hilarious world folktales in Noodlehead Stories, a perfect book for children who love funny...

When Barbara McBride‑Smith first heard the ancient Greek myths as a young girl, she didn’t quite catch them the way her teacher intended. Instead of imagining the “cradle of Western civilization,” she pictured Western civilization—central Texas, near Waco—where those larger‑than‑life characters seemed right at home.

Latin America is a place shaped by many influences—Indigenous traditions, Spanish and European cultures, and the heritage of Africa. For more than thirty years, Pleasant DeSpain has traveled through this vibrant region, exploring its landscapes, meeting its people, and collecting its stories. In this collection, he shares his carefully crafted retellings of folktales, myths, and legends from countries across Latin America, including Guatemala, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Chile.