Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America

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Author	Comment
flewis Unregistered User (12/17/01 7:08:50 am)	Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America My husband recently asked me for some help with finding some fairy/folk tales for him to read to his special ed reading class. He wondered if I had any folk tales from Mexico or Latin America or the American Southwest since many of his students are hispanic. I went round and round but couldn't think of any collections or picture books for that matter off the top of my head. Is there such a collection in the Pantheon tale series? Anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone know any of the major tales from this region? The tales of Mary of Guadalupe or Quezacoatl (sp.?) are really the only ones that came to my mind. Thanks for any input. Francene Lewis escaping from cataloging a pile of thriller/horror videos for a minute
Carrie Unregistered User (12/17/01 7:32:32 am)	Mexico How about La Llorona or the Chewbacabra (sp)? Carrie
Terri Registered User (12/17/01 7:40:46 am)	Re: Mexico There's a lovely book called "Listen, A Story Comes" which contains bilingual stories in Spanish and English, compiled by Teresa Pijoan, who is the director of the Native American Story-Theater Troupe in Albuquerque. The book was published in 1996 by Red Crane Books, and is probably available through Amazon.com.
Heidi Anne Heiner ezOP (12/17/01 8:43:08 am)	Re: Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America Barefoot Books has a new book out titled, "Fiesta Femenina : Celebrating Women in Mexican Folktale." It has eight tales in it with illustrations that may work well in a classroom setting. I actually have a link to it on Amazon available on the front page of my site at SurLaLune Fairy Tales (note: 7/15/02: book is no longer on front page of site) It's under 'Latest Releases from Amazon.com.' Also, Robert San Souci wrote in the last year "Little Gold Star," a Cinderella variant that has beautiful illustrations. Be warned that the Catholic influence is strong in the story so it may be objectionable in a public school. I know some of my local teachers are reluctant to use these tales despite their portrayal of traditional folklore. I believe Mary of Guadalupe's feast day was last week, on a side note. I had a sudden rush on books about her which I have never had before. My library also owns "Cuentos : tales from the Hispanic Southwest : based on stories originally collected by Juan B. Rael." I haven't looked too closely at it, but it might have some useful stories for your husband. Unfortunately, Hispanic and Latino folklore translated into English currently in print for children has been much harder to locate over the years as I have built up my site and during my attempts at collection development at my library. Most often, all I can find are Spanish translations of the traditional European tales to offer our patrons. Heidi
Don Unregistered User (12/17/01 10:31:42 am)	Spanish Fairy Tales For the past few years and in the forthcoming issue, Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies has bee publishing translations of Spanish-language literary tales in an attempt to begin filling the gap.
ZMethos Registered User (12/17/01 2:01:01 pm)	Re: Mexico I know there's a version of the La Llorona tale in "Ghost Stories of Old Texas" (the first volume). Having grown up in Texas, I remember in 4th grade we did the unit on local history and literature, and these books by Zinita Fowler were required reading. Lots of fun--if you like ghost stories. Most of them were based on Spanish/Mexican lore.
Jess Unregistered User (12/17/01 3:21:36 pm)	Southwest tales Carrie, Do you know a collection of Navajo tales, published in paperback form. Six booklets about 4" X 6" - each booklet was a different color with a different tale. I am trying to remember the stories - one was about the Prairie Dog. I think they may have been printed by University of Arizona press. They would be perfect for a special ed class. Jess
Jess Unregistered User (12/17/01 4:00:07 pm)	Mexican Folk tales You might check the University of Arizona Press website. They have several books that supposedly are collections of Native American and/or Mexican Folk tales. Check by Tribe name for Native American tales. I have no idea how good these collections are or whether the tales are appropriate for your class. Still might be worth a look. Carrie: Are you familiar with Cushings collections of Zuni tales? Also, there are some others listed on that site. Maybe you could provide some insight. Jess
flewis Unregistered User (12/18/01 7:10:50 am)	la Llorona All, Thanks for your suggestions. I remember now that we had a discussion here (a year ago?) about the story of La Llorona. A very interesting tale, but a bit dark to read in a public school setting, I suspect. I just thought it very peculiar that I could think of collections for Asian tales, lots of European based tales, North American folk tales, Native American tales, tales from almost everywhere and from every people, except from Mexico, Central and South America. When I started trying to come up with collections or even story themes, I came up with only two or three possible tales, Mary of Guadalupe, La Llorona, and the story of the Mexican god, Queztcoatl (sp.). It seems like this might be an unmined source of tales, just waiting to be looked into. Francene Lewis still cataloging
Carrie Unregistered User (12/18/01 7:28:41 am)	Native American tales Jess: Yes I have Cushing and have been avidly collecting the tales of Southwestern tribes, especially those located in Arizona. I think I know of the collection of stories you are talking about -- I saw them down at Canyon Records. But if I recall correctly each tale was from a different tribe. Rising Moon in Flagstaff (Northland Publishing) has quite a few NA tales reworked for the children's market. Ones I'm aware of are The Flute Player (Apache), Snail Girl Brings Water (Navajo),and How the Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears. I also remember Antelope Woman and Spider Spins a Story (a collection of tales). I vaguely recall one about a hummingbird as well -- maybe a Zuni or Hopi story. I have written magazine pieces on Indian butterfly myths, owl myths, coyote stories, roadrunner tales and have a few other pieces in the works on the Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and Tohono O'odham peoples and their story cycles. In particular, there is a wonderfully lyric story about the creation of butterflies (Papago) in American Indian Myths and Legends by Erdoes and Ortiz, which I think would be perfect for young children. The repetition and colors and charming storyline is quite pleasant. Carrie
Carrie Unregistered User (12/18/01 7:42:29 am)	Mexican tales Francene, I was wondering if you have considered the stories relating to holidays. Both Dia de los Muertos and Las Posadas would be great for classroom discussion -- Las Posadas especially with the season and the direct involvement of the children. I'm just now looking through the catalog for Fulcrum Publishing (www.fulcrum-books.com --800/992-2908) . The have a ton of teacher resources dealing with both NA tales and Mexican stories. Let's see-- this looks promising -- The Eagle and the Rainbow (Antonio Hernandez Madrigal) - a collection of Mexican tales. Hope this helps. Carrie p.s. Here's the butterfly story I mentioned in the previous post. (Just so you know -- I reworked it a bit.) One bright summer day, the Creator sat under a tree watching a group of laughing children at play. A brown pup romped through a riot of wildflowers. The sun lit a bright blue sky dotted with wispy, white clouds. A songbird landed in the branches overhead, loosing a shower of pine needles. The Creator watched the play of shadow and sunlight and fallen yellow leaves fluttering here and there in the late summer breeze and as he watched these things he grew sad. “Soon these children will grow old,” he thought. “And that puppy will become a tired, mangy dog. And the flowers will die and snow will cover the land.” The Creator became so sad at these thoughts that he vowed to preserve the afternoon for the months ahead. “All these colors should be caught forever,” he said to the songbird that watched him overhead. “I will make something to gladden my heart, something for these children to enjoy.” He took out his magic bag and in it he put the black from a laughing girl’s hair, the brown of the pup’s floppy ears, the yellow of the fluttering leaves, a bit of blue sky and a touch of white from a cloud passing by. He added green from the pine tree and the orange, purple and red from the flowers all around. Overhead, the songbird sang her merry tune and with a smile, the Creator tossed a bit of her melody into the mix. Brimming with happiness, he walked to the children and offered them the bulging sack. The beautiful girl with black hair opened the magic bag and out flew thousands and thousands of butterflies in every color ever created. Enchanted, the girl said she had never seen anything so beautiful. The children agreed and the Creator was glad. And the children danced with joy under the fluttering wings of these new, fanciful creatures. Then one, with wings the color of a summer sky, landed on the Creator’s head and began to sing a beautiful song. The other butterflies joined in and the children stopped to listen to the chirping melody. The songbird flew down to perch on the Creator’s shoulder. “When you created the birds you gave us each our own song. Now you have passed mine around to these new playthings of yours,” she scolded. “Isn’t it enough that they have all of the colors of the rainbow?” The Creator thought a moment and said, “You are right. I should not have taken what was yours.” And he took away the song from the butterflies, which continued to dance over the children’s heads. “The are beautiful even so,” the Creator said. And that is why butterflies are silent today.
Jess Unregistered User (12/18/01 7:47:21 am)	Mexican tales Francine, The U of Arizona Press definitely has one that is called Mexican folk tales. You might check it out. I know that Argentina has very little "native" culture remaining. It was not heavly inhabited before the Europeans immigrated there. There may be some tales, but most have been reworked with a European spin. There are some good legends that have started since the Europeans moved in. One is of mother and baby who died of thirst in Patagonia. She is the unofficial patron saint of Argentina. I could check with my sister re: southern Mexico where she does archeological work. She may be aware of some collections. I'll let you know. Jess
Jeanne G Unregistered User (12/18/01 3:31:19 pm)	Southwestern, Central & South American tales You might see if your local library has some of Gerald McDermott's folktales. Arrow to the Sun (a Caldecott winner), Coyote (a trickster tale), Papagayo and Musicians of the Sun are all set in the areas you're interested in. You can read about them at Amazon and probably find them locally. The art is really striking.
Jess Unregistered User (12/18/01 5:39:21 pm)	Mexican folklore From my sister: I have a book called "The Woman who Outshone the Sun: the legend of Lucia Zenteno" from a poem by Alejandro Cruz Martinez, based on a Zapotec folktale. The text is in both English and Spanish. The pictures by Fernando Olivera are beautiful. It is published by Children's Book Press, 1461 Ninth Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122. It was 13.95 when I bought it. Hope that helps. She also has a contact in her department that she will ask re: compilations. She will get back to me. Jess
flewis Unregistered User (12/19/01 6:46:44 am)	Latin American tales Gerald McDermott, of course! In fact, I think I might have his Papagayo (sp?) book somewhere in my library. I did come across a book of Latin American tales last night at the local library branch called, Magic Moments by Loya, I think. It looks interesting. Thanks for all the suggestions. I enjoy reading this group so much. My family is going through a rather tough time right now and I really appreciate having a chance to read your thoughtful and insightful posts on topics I find fascinating. It takes me away from it for a while. On another note, I was able to interest a professor here at the college where I work in the Arabian Nights. She is going to be teaching a class on World Literature and decided to add these tales to the curriculum. I refered her to the discussions in the group archives on orientalism, and the Nights as well as to the Endicott Studio site for G. Frost's great article on its publishing history. I really enjoy being able to send people to such good resources. It's the librarian in me, I guess. Francene Lewis cataloging still more videos
omarmorales Registered User (12/21/01 6:07:26 am)	Re: Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America Hello all. I am latin myself, and I have heard loads of stories from my great-grand mother, grand dad and so forth. I have also seen lots of books on the subject. usually in spanish though. I have one of Spanish lore. called: "Spain" from the Myths and Legends series of Senate 1994. The same imprint has one on Mexican folklore. Hope this is helpfull. Omar PS. I'll try remembering a tale or two, no guarantees.
Terri Registered User (12/21/01 6:20:18 am)	Re: Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America Omar: Welcome to the board, and thanks for the recommendation.
Storyman Registered User (12/21/01 6:41:48 am)	Re: Folk tales from Mexico & Latin America Try these: The corn woman [computer file] : stories and legends of the Hispanic Southwest = La mujer del maiz : cuentos y leyendas del sudoeste hispano / retold by Angel Vigil ; translated by Jennifer Audrey Lowell and Juan Francisco Marin. Vigil, Angel. Hispanic legends from New Mexico : narratives from the R.D. Jameson Collection / edited with an introduction and notes by Stanley L. Robe. Cuentos españoles de Colorado y Nuevo México = Spanish folk tales from Colorado and New Mexico : Spanish language originals with English summaries / by Juan B. Rael. Rael, Juan Bautista.
Jess Unregistered User (1/8/02 4:25:36 pm)	More My sister had some more suggestions: Here are some possibilities (although your friend should screen them first because many mesoamerican "folktales" are rather vulgar. Mayan Folktales. trans & ed. James D. Sexton. Anchor. Folktales of Mexico. ed. Americo Paredes. U. Chicago Press. The Bird who Cleans the World. Victor Montejo. Curbstone Press. Hope this helps
Mary Grace Ketner Unregistered User (1/10/02 2:27:25 pm)	Folk Tales from Mexico and Latin America A good resource for your husband's special education students would be Picture Tales from Mexico, which you can see and/or purchase at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0884156702/thesurlalufairyt It is a recent reprint of an older collection from the 30's or 40's, I think, collected in the borderlands by Dan Storm and illustrated by his brother Mark Storm. The stories are brief animal tales comparable to Br'er Rabbit stories, Trickster Tales and Aesop's Fables. They use simple and readable language, and include some flavorful Spanish terms such as "Senor Coyote." I've not had any difficulty finding stories and background on Our Lady of Guadalupe or La Llorona using a search engine. For anyone interested, there is a version of La Llorona on my website: www.talesandlegends.net --Mary Grace Mary Grace Ketner, San Edited by: Heidi Anne Heiner at: 1/11/02 9:39:18 pm
Mary Grace Ketner Unregistered User (1/10/02 2:37:33 pm)	Tales from Mexico Well, obviously I have a lot to learn about posting links to this site! Picture Tales from Mexico, by Dan Storm, illustrated by Mark Storm contains a collection of animal trickster tales and fables ostensibly collected in the U.S. southwest/Mexico Borderlands. Many of them will be familiar to you from other sources. They are delightfully and simply related with the added fun of a bit of Spanish easily recognizable even to small children. For example: "Senor Coyote." This time I'll just give the URL instead of trying to link: www.taylorwilson.com/ench...tales.html I also mentioned above that I have been able to find a great deal of information on Our Lady of Guadalupe and La Llorona using search engines. My version of La Llorona is on my Web site at (again: written, not linked!): talesandlegends.net Mary Grace Ketner San Antonio, Texas
allysonrosen Registered User (1/12/02 12:30:55 am)	Re: Tales from Mexico Regarding The Day of the Dead...Julie Taymor directed a theatre piece using masks and puppetry based on a Mexican folk tale (I'm not sure which one) about a boy who was raised by jaguars and then transplanted into a human family. The piece is set on the Day of the Dead. (Anyone know what I'm talking about?) Anyway, a video of the piece was being shown two years ago at my local gallery that had a Julie Taymor exhibit...the video might be available through PBS or the NEA...that might be a fun way of presenting folklore to the class.... Allyson

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