LIS 721 - Traditional Literature Review

 Let's Look at Some Folktales!

Campoy, Isabel. F. & Ada Alma Flor. Tales Our Abuelitas Told. Illustrated by Felipe Davales. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. 128 pages. $19.99

Summary: Once upon a time, in a land far away...

These stories have journeyed far -- over mountains, deserts, and oceans -- carried by wind, passed on to us by our ancestors. Now they have found their way to you.

A sly fox, a bird of a thousand colors, a magical set of bagpipes, and an audacious young girl...A mixture of popular tales and literary lore, this anthology celebrates Hispanic culture and its many roots -- Indigenous, African, Arab, Hebrew, and Spanish.

F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada have retold twelve beloved stories that embody the lively spirit and the rich heritage of Latino people.

The work of four leasing Latino artists and illustrators highlights this unforgettable collection. --From front cover

Review: Tales Our Abuelitas Told shares stories rich with Hispanic culture passed down through history to its readers. The stories' retellers are Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, who grew up with a love for stories and learning of cultures. Their goal is to share new stories in hopes of bettering the world. The collection consists of 12 stories, often passed down by abuelitas, and a brief history of Hispanic roots and storytelling. Readers can understand some of the traditions and cultures that transcend generations with each story. Campoy and Ada include a description of each story's origins or their own relationship with the stories at the end of each story, so the readers have the opportunity to understand the people who created the tales and see how folktales may weave into another. The storytellers also worked with four leading Latino artists and illustrators to bring these timeless tales to life. The images included are vibrant and inspired by the surroundings of the illustrators. Overall, reading this collection of stories would be good for both young readers and adult storytellers to learn about Hispanic folktales and see how they have gotten their inspiration from other cultures and affected the lives of those who grew up with them.

Dembicki, Matt. (Ed.). Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection. Fulcrum Publishing, 2010. 248 pages. $27.95

Summary:  All cultures have tales of the trickster – a crafty creature or being who uses cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native American traditions, the trickster takes many forms, from coyote or rabbit to raccoon or raven. The first graphic anthology of Native American trickster tales, Trickster brings together Native American folklore and the world of comics. In Trickster, 24 Native storytellers were paired with 24 comic artists, telling cultural tales from across America. Ranging from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish, these tales bring tricksters back into popular culture. -- Amazon

Review: Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection, curated by Matt Dembicki, consists of 24 stories told by Native storytellers of different native nations each depicting their version of a character known as the Trickster. The graphic novel format brings these stories to life with different art styles and artists for each tale and opens up the world of Native American tales to a wide age range of readers. The styles range from sketched cartoons to watercolor realism and respect the motifs of the indigenous stories. Throughout each tale, the readers learn the moral lessons brought forth by the Trickster who is typically depicted as an animal figure. Such lessons may include learning about the consequences of one's actions to respecting nature. The authenticity of each retelling remains intact with each folktale coming straight from various nations of indigenous people. Readers are also able to learn about the storytellers and illustrators themselves with their notes in the back of the book. Overall, I think that Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection is a great introduction to Native culture and tradition. The graphic novel format makes the stories accessible to anyone interested in learning and captivating to its audience.