This enchanting sampling of traditional Armenian tales was gathered by the author in her travels and translated from Russian sources. A broad selection of more than 50 tales are organized by type-myths and legends, animal tales, fairy tales, stories of everyday life, and wits and dimwits. Readers (and listeners) of all ages will delight in stories such as The Invincible Rooster, The Donkey Who Swallowed the Moon, Seven Stars, and a sampling of tales about Silly Pugi, the Armenian trickster. Many of the stories are short and humorous, making them perfect for storytime programs and read-alouds. Stories are supplemented by background information on the people and their culture, including a brief history, discussion of folk traditions and food, recipes, photographs, and a bibliography. A great resource for educators, students, folklorists, and anyone interested in Armenian culture! All grade levels. This enchanting sampling of traditional Armenian tales was gathered by the author in her travels and translated from Russian sources. A broad selection of more than 50 tales are organized by type-myths and legends, animal tales, fairy tales, stories of everyday life, and wits and dimwits. Readers (and listeners) of all ages will delight in stories such as The Invincible Rooster, The Donkey Who Swallowed the Moon, Seven Stars, and a sampling of tales about Silly Pugi, the Armenian trickster. Many of the stories are short and humorous, making them perfect for storytime programs and read-alouds. Stories are supplemented by background information on the people and their culture, including a brief history, discussion of folk traditions and food, recipes, photographs, and a bibliography. A great resource for educators, students, folklorists, and anyone interested in Armenian culture! All grade levels.

There are two Armenias: the current Republic of Armenia and historic Armenia. The modern state dates from the early 20th century. Historic Armenia was part of the ancient world and expired in the Middle Ages. Its people, however, survived, and from its residue recreated a new country. The history of the Armenians is the story of how an ancient people endured into modern times and how its culture evolved from one conceived under the influence of Mesopotamia to one redefined by the civilization of Europe. The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Armenia relates the turbulent past of this persistent country through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 200 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, events, places, organizations, and other aspects of Armenian history from the earliest times to the present.

Celebrate the unique diversity and vibrancy of the Philippines through an in-depth exploration of the stories, traditions, songs, crafts, and recipes of the many different regions of the country. Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories offers insights into the people and culture of the Philippines through dozens of tales representing the nation's various islands, regions, and cultural-ethnic groups. Designed to provide educators with material with which to enhance curriculum and lesson plans, the stories open a gateway to a rich and unique cultural mix. The tales presented here are divided into animal stories, how and why stories, tales of enchantment, trickster tales, and scary stories. In them readers can discern not only the native Filipino culture, but the influences of the many peoples who have moved through and settled in the islands, most notably Malay, Chinese, and Spanish, but also Arab, Indian, and American. A brief history of the country, its people, and their cultural traditions is included, as are crafts, children's games, recipes, and color photos. Notes about the stories, a bibliography, and a glossary complete the volume.

“In Marxist anthropological theory, shamanism represented one of the early forms of religion that later gave rise to more sophisticated beliefs in the course of human advancement … The premise of Marxism was that eventually, at the highest levels of civilization, the sacred and religion would eventually die out” (Znamenski, 2007, p.322). Though history has of course since disproved this, the theory clearly had a great bearing on what was written in the former Soviet Union about shamanism, and also on people’s attitudes in the former Soviet Republics towards such practices. On the other hand, it has been suggested that “all intellectuals driven by nationalist sentiments directly or indirectly are always preoccupied with searching for the most ancient roots of their budding nations in order to ground their compatriots in particular soil and to make them more indigenous” (Znamenski, 2007, p.28). Although this might apply to searching for the roots of Christianity in Armenia, when it comes to searching for the roots of pagan practices, interest on the part of the people of Armenia is generally speaking not so forthcoming. This impasse, coupled with the effects of the repressions against religions, including shamanism, unleashed by the Soviet government between the 1930s and 1950s, along with the recent surge of interest in the Armenian Orthodox church, a backlash to the seventy years of officially sanctioned atheism, makes research into the subject no easy business. However, hopefully this study will at least in some small way help to set the process in motion.

'Janet Dowling is magic and her stories bring the wonders of the night sky onto the page. She has journeyed from Polar ice to Pacific islands in search of tales which will re-enchant the heavens under which we all live and which so many of us forget.' - Jeremy Harte, The Folklore Society Discover the Greek myths that are laid before you in the stars. Explore the folk tales of other cultures that have their own stories of the stars to guide the ancients in planting, navigating, and knowing when the beasts migrate across the plains. Start your own adventure to answer the question 'Whose constellation is it anyway?' in this compelling collection of folk tales of the night sky.

A bilingual collection of enchanting folk tales from the peoples of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay, accompanied by historical and geographical background as well as color photographs. Containing numerous tales that have never before appeared in an English-language children's story collection, this book presents many of author Paula Martín's favorite stories from her many years of experience in storytelling around the world and particularly in South America. It stands as a unique folklore and storytelling resource that will give readers a better understanding of life and culture in the southern part of South America. Readers of all ages will delight in entertaining stories about animals, plants and trees, musical instruments, lost places, fantastic creatures, and witches and devils. This collection also includes never-ending tales, sky stories, and folk tales about fools. The book provides related cultural information about the lands where these stories originated as well as the people who tell these tales, traditional games of South America, and recipes for regional food items that can go hand in hand with the stories.

Here is a broad sampling of traditional and contemporary Dutch tales that will entertain and inform readers and listeners of all ages. From animal tales and tales of magic to religious and realistic stories, and contemporary urban legends, you'll find in this collection scores of tales, riddles, puzzles, and jokes to savor and share. Many of the stories are rooted in the traditional rural society of the Netherlands, while others have sprung from the modern, urban, and multi-ethnic society that Holland is today. Background information on the country and the stories, and color photographs and illustrations, along with a detailed bibliography, makes this a well-rounded resource for educators, folklore scholars, and general readers. All levels.

Looking for fresh ideas to liven up your storytimes? Here you'll find a wonderfully diverse collection of easy-to-tell tales from around the world, along with tips and profiles of the storytellers featured in the book. Ideal for educators and others who work with young children, these stories have been selected because they are easy for anyone to tell, even novices, and they readily engage listeners. Along with each tale, you'll find a profile of the "teller" who provides it, adding a cultural dimension to help you and your audiences better understand the context. There are also tips to improve your programs. In addition to storytimes, this guide can be used for read-alouds, or even silent reading with older children. Whether you are a librarian, educator, or parent, Storyteller's Sampler: Tales from Tellers around the World will help you keep children entertained—all while encouraging their learning and development.

Wit, humor, and warmth permeate the stories in this collection. Here are more than 50 traditional folktales from the people of Poland, ranging from animal and humorous tales to why stories, tales of magic and the supernatural, and local legends. In addition, you'll find riddles, nursery rhymes, games and activities, recipes, and background information on the land, the people, and the stories-all enhanced by maps and handsome color photos and illustrations. A wonderful addition to the folklore collection, this book provides material that folklorists will wish to study, storytellers will be eager to share with their audiences, and educators will want explore with their students. A delicious assortment of folktales from Poland awaits you in this appealing collection. More than 50 tales range from local legends, animal tales, and magic tales to religious legends, stories of demons and supernatural creatures, humorous tales, and how and why tales-exemplifying the Polish spirit, character, and sense of humor. In addition, you'll find historical background; directions for traditional games, crafts, recipes; and color photographs that depict the people, the land, and the traditions of this fascinating country.

This comprehensive collection of folk hero tales builds on the success of the first edition by providing readers with expanded contextual information on story characters from the Americas to Zanzibar. Despite the tremendous differences between cultures and ethnicities across the world, all of them have folk heroes and heroines—real and imagined—that have been represented in tales, legends, songs, and verse. These stories persist through time and space, over generations, even through migrations to new countries and languages. This encyclopedia is a one-stop source for broad coverage of the world's folk hero tales. Geared toward high school and early college readers, the book opens with an overview of folk heroes and heroines that provides invaluable context and then presents a chronology. The book is divided into two main sections: the first provides entries on the major types and themes; the second addresses specific folk tale characters organized by continent with folk hero entries organized alphabetically. Each entry provides cross references as well as a list of further readings. Continent sections include a bibliography for additional research. The book concludes with an alphabetical list of heroes and an index of hero types.