Brazilian Folktales

A rich brew of more than 40 traditional Brazilian tales—from creation stories and stories of enchantment to animal and trickster tales—draws on the varied cultural traditions of indigenous peoples, people of African descent, those of European (and particularly Portuguese) descent, and mixtures of these groups. The stories are retold by today's accomplished Brazilian storytellers. Also includes background information on the country and the tales, color photographs, traditional recipes, and children's games.Brazil, the largest country in South America, covers a vast terrain that ranges from the tropical rain forests of the Amazon basin and upland farms, to towering mountains and sandy beaches; from highly populated urban centers to virtually inaccessible interior jungle regions. Its population is composed of indigenous peoples (e.g., Tupy, Kaxinawa, Taulipang), people of African descent, those of European (mostly Portuguese) descent, and mixtures of these groups. Drawing on the varied cultural traditions and ethnic diversity of the country, this collection offers readers a rich brew of traditional Brazilian tales—from creation stories and stories of enchantment to animal and trickster tales. More than 40 stories are included, along with background information, color photographs, recipes, and games. There are very few collections of Brazilian folktales currently available in English, and none with this depth and range. This is a wonderful treasury for storytellers, folklorists, and educators. Also a great resource for educators planning units on the Amazon rain forest! All grade levels.

Winner of The American Folklore Society 2006 Aesop Acolade 2006

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[T]his work is a marvelous window into Brazilian life and lore. It covers Amazon magical and animal tales, stories that have migrated from Africa and Europe, tales of enchantment, trickster tales (about Pedro Malasartes), scary tales, stories involving Death, and finally a section on festivals and recipes to help readers understand the context in which these stories might be told. The Notes about the tales at the end of the book describe the various motifs present in the stories and discuss similar tales from other countries (tale variants). The Introduction is particularly noteworthy, as it sets the broad context for understanding these stories as cultural emissaries. It briefly describes the country, culture and peoples of Brazil, and then offers an explanation of how various cultures have contributed to folklore and storytelling in Brazil. This book is a remarkable entre to the magic and culture of this South American country. The American Folklore Society
The folktales in this well-organized and inviting collection reflect the mix of indigenous, European, and African cultures in Brazil….The book is packed with extra information, including an introduction to Brazil and its storytelling traditions; an appendix with more information about the tales and their motif numbers; a bibliography; and an useful index….[t]he collection is a worthwhile choice that will especially enhance curriculum support in school libraries. VOYA

Livia de Almeida is a journalist and editor of Veja Rio magazine in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Ana Portella is a librarian, specializing in reading, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Margaret Read MacDonald an award-winning and internationally renowned author, storyteller, folklorist, and children's librarian. She has written more than 30 books, edited a number of titles in the Libraries Unlimited World Folklore Series, and teaches storytelling at University of Washington Informational School and at Lesley University.

Brazil, the largest country in South America, covers a vast terrain that ranges from the tropical rain forests of the Amazon basin and upland farms, to towering mountains and sandy beaches; from highly populated urban centers to virtually inaccessible interior jungle regions. Its population is composed of indigenous peoples (e.g., Tupy, Kaxinawa, Taulipang), people of African descent, those of European (mostly Portuguese) descent, and mixtures of these groups. Drawing on the varied cultural traditions and ethnic diversity of the country, this collection offers readers a rich brew of traditional Brazilian tales--from creation stories and stories of enchantment to animal and trickster tales. More than 40 stories are included, along with background information, color photographs, recipes, and games. There are very few collections of Brazilian folktales currently available in English, and none with this depth and range. This is a wonderful treasury for storytellers, folklorists, and educators. Also a great resource for educators planning units on the Amazon rain forest! All grade levels.

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