Dual Language, ELLs / DLLs, International Folktale Characters, Libraries, Schools,

INTERNATIONAL FOLKTALE CHARACTER: MAMY WATA

April 16, 2014

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    Woohoo!  It’s almost summer!  Let’s go SWIMMING! Did you bring your bathing suit?  Oh yeah…um…I totally left it at home…plus you know, I ate less than half an hour ago…I don’t want to get a cramp… You’re looking decidedly shifty. What’s the real reason you don’t want to go swimming?  Ok, to be honest, it’s because I’ve been doing some reading up on popular African deity Mamy Wata. Who?  Mamy Wata, which means “Mother Water”.  She’s a water entity worshipped by many people in............. CONTINUE READING

International Folktale Characters,

INTERNATIONAL FOLKTALE CHARACTER: NASREDDIN HODJA

November 14, 2013

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I’ve got a little vacation time coming up and I’d like to use it in July.  Any suggestions?   Sure!  If you’re looking for a vacation spot with a difference, look no further than Akşehir, Turkey, where they hold the International Nasreddin Hodja Fest every July. Sounds great!  Um…What is it?  In honor of this famous Sufi teacher, judge, philosopher, wit, and imam from the 13th century, his hometown throws a big party once a year, with music, comedy, and theatre performances.  There’s even............. CONTINUE READING

International Folktale Characters,

INTERNATIONAL FOLKTALE CHARACTER: THE MONKEY KING

September 10, 2013

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   picture credit: Roland @ flickr.com   Name: Monkey Uh…is that it? Well, he also goes by Monkey King, Handsome Monkey King, and Sun Wukong, or “Disciple who is aware of emptiness”. And what sort of character is he? Um, the name’s a bit of a giveaway. I get that he’s a monkey, but what makes him, you know, Monkey?  It’s a bit of a long story!  He’s a trickster, a braggart and a hero from China, who got into all sorts of............. CONTINUE READING

International Folktale Characters,

FEATURED FOLK TALE CHARACTER: ANANSI

July 9, 2013

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photo credit: Calsidyrose @ flickr.com Q: So who are we talking about this time? A:  Anansi. Q:  Bless you! A:  No,  Anansi!  Kweku Anansi the Spider, God of Stories and Mischief. Q: A spider?  That sounds horrifying. And a spider God sounds even worse. A: He’s not really so much a God of spiders, and his activities aren’t so very spidery.  He is a spider, but in most Anansi tales he behaves very much like a man.  In fact he is a trickster character, usually using his cunning............. CONTINUE READING

International Folktale Characters,

FEATURED FOLK TALE CHARACTER: BABA YAGA

May 14, 2013

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photo credit: Tagada Victoria @ flickr.com Q: Who? Baba Ganoush? Ali Baba?  Yo Gabba Gabba? A: No…Baba Yaga. Q: Never heard of her. A: Well, she’s a mysterious figure from a range of different Eastern European folk tales.  In some, she’s very much the villain: an evil witch with iron teeth who will happily kidnap you and keep you prisoner if she gets the chance.  In others, she’s…well, she’s still the same old iron-tooth crone, but she can be a source of wisdom, help, and advice. Q:............. CONTINUE READING