Old Time Animal Tales: African American & American Indian Folklore Stories for Children

Old-Time Animal Tales brings together 18 traditional animal stories selected from Carolyn Sherwin Bailey’s 1918 collection Once Upon a Time Animal Stories. The collection includes stories Bailey specifically identified as coming from the folklore of African Americans in the American South, including Mr. Elephant and Mr. Frog, Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter, Little Bear, and Brother Wolf and the Rock. Bailey also identified American Indian animal myths including How the Rabbit Tried to Coast, How the Squirrel Got Wings, and The Talking Grass. Alongside these are other traditional animal tales featuring clever rabbits, curious bears, mischievous cats, foxes, wolves, squirrels, and chipmunks. These old-time stories offer children an entertaining introduction to traditional storytelling while giving families, educators, and libraries an opportunity to explore the cultural history behind American children’s folklore. Stories include: 1. Mr. Elephant and Mr. Frog 2. Brother Wolf and the Rock 3. How the Fox Played Herdsman 4. Little Bear 5. The Bear Who Lost His Supper 6. Why the Bear Has a Stumpy Tail 7. Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter 8. The Rabbit Who Was Afraid 9. Why the Field Mouse Is Little 10. How the Squirrel Got Wings 11. The Talking Grass 12. How the Rabbit Tried to Coast 13. How Maple Sugar Came 14. How the First Mayflowers Came 15. How the First Bears Came 16. The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings 17. The Chipmunk Who Chattered Too Much 18. The Greedy Cat