Folklore is a Part of Every Culture
Stories from the oral tradition began around hearthside and campfire. These tales were almost always fantastic in nature, involving magic or talking animals. Initially, they provided entertainment for adults, who freely altered details as they told and retold the stories. As adults shared these stories, children lounged around and listened.Because these stories were born in the oral tradition, no one knows who first told each tale and which version is original. Therefore, folklore may be defined as stories that originated orally and have no authors.
Given these qualities, we often associate these tales with a collector or reteller. Some people include: (1) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected, retold, and recorded in print the European variants of tales in our Western cultures, such as "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Little Red Riding Hood." (2) Charles Perrault who collected European tales. (3) Joseph Jacobs collected the British tales loved by young children, such as "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Little Red Hen." (4) Peter Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe gathered the Scandinavian tales into a volume titled East of the Sun and West of the Mood and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."
Given these qualities, we often associate these tales with a collector or reteller. Some people include: (1) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected, retold, and recorded in print the European variants of tales in our Western cultures, such as "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Little Red Riding Hood." (2) Charles Perrault who collected European tales. (3) Joseph Jacobs collected the British tales loved by young children, such as "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Little Red Hen." (4) Peter Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe gathered the Scandinavian tales into a volume titled East of the Sun and West of the Mood and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."
(Source: Tunnell, M.O., Jacobs, J.S., Young, T.A., Bryan, G., (2012). 'Picture Books'. In: (ed), Children's Literature, Briefly. 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Pearson Education, Inc. . pp.105-119.)
Peculiarities of Folklore
Characters in traditional tales are lean and spare. Characters in traditional stories generally are archetypes; they are meant to be symbolic of certain basic human traits, such as good and evil. Characters are also generally single-faced characters who typically do not change during the course of the story. Traditional tales, then, are stories of the human experience told in primary colors, the nuances of life stripped away to reveal the basic component parts: love, fear, jealousy, mercy, and so on. Therefore, traditional stories from around the world are basically alike because fundamental human characteristics and motivations are universal.
Plots are also simple and direct in folklore. And because the tales generally were told by and among the common folk, they are often success stories that show the underdog making good. And the success if often obtained against overwhelming odds, such as accomplishing an impossible task.
These story line are accompanied by typical themes, such as rewards of mercy, kindness, and perseverance; justice, particularly the punishment of evil; and the power of love. Settings are quickly established and always int he distant past and time passes quickly. Another hallmark of traditional stories is repeated patterns and elements. The magical number 3 appears frequently in tales.
Plots are also simple and direct in folklore. And because the tales generally were told by and among the common folk, they are often success stories that show the underdog making good. And the success if often obtained against overwhelming odds, such as accomplishing an impossible task.
These story line are accompanied by typical themes, such as rewards of mercy, kindness, and perseverance; justice, particularly the punishment of evil; and the power of love. Settings are quickly established and always int he distant past and time passes quickly. Another hallmark of traditional stories is repeated patterns and elements. The magical number 3 appears frequently in tales.
(Source: Tunnell, M.O., Jacobs, J.S., Young, T.A., Bryan, G., (2012). 'Picture Books'. In: (ed), Children's Literature, Briefly. 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Pearson Education, Inc. . pp.105-119.)
Types of Folklore
Folktales or traditional stories of the people. The most common kinds of folktales are:
(1) Cumulative tales-Stories added upon as the story unfolds. The story is read up to a certain point in which the teller starts again from another point of the story.
(2) Pourquoi tales-These folktales answer questions or gives explanations for the way things are , particularly in nature.
(3) Beast tales-Stories with animals as the main characters. These animals represent the actions of humans.
(4) Trickster tales-Feature a character that outsmarts everyone in the story.
(5) Noodlehead or numbskull tales-Humorous stories that center on characters that are not too bright and make a mess of things.
(6) Realistic tales-Have their basis in an actual historical event or to feature an actual figure from history.
(Source: Tunnell, M.O., Jacobs, J.S., Young, T.A., Bryan, G., (2012). 'Picture Books'. In: (ed), Children's Literature, Briefly. 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Pearson Education, Inc. . pp.105-119.)
(1) Cumulative tales-Stories added upon as the story unfolds. The story is read up to a certain point in which the teller starts again from another point of the story.
(2) Pourquoi tales-These folktales answer questions or gives explanations for the way things are , particularly in nature.
(3) Beast tales-Stories with animals as the main characters. These animals represent the actions of humans.
(4) Trickster tales-Feature a character that outsmarts everyone in the story.
(5) Noodlehead or numbskull tales-Humorous stories that center on characters that are not too bright and make a mess of things.
(6) Realistic tales-Have their basis in an actual historical event or to feature an actual figure from history.
(Source: Tunnell, M.O., Jacobs, J.S., Young, T.A., Bryan, G., (2012). 'Picture Books'. In: (ed), Children's Literature, Briefly. 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Pearson Education, Inc. . pp.105-119.)
TALL TALES:
EXAMPLES OF TALL TALES:
- American Tall Tales
By: Mary Pope Osborne, Michael McCurdy Illustrated by: Michael McCurdy Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Meet heroes (and heroines) in these well-told tales of fictitious and actual characters from American folklore. These tales are ideal for reading aloud, and are illustrated with strong-lined wood engravings. (Source: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/american-tall-tales#cart/cleanup) - Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam By: Sherry Garland, Trina Schart Hyman Illustrated by: Trina Schart Hyman Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Learn why the tiger has stripes, what happens to those who behave badly, and much more in this rich collection. The lore of Southeast Asia comes to life in strong retellings complemented by jewel-toned illustrations. (Source: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/children-dragon#cart/cleanup) - Cut from the Same Cloth: American Women of Myth, Legend and Tall Tale By: Robert San Souci, Brian Pinkney Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Beginning Reader From the Northeast to the West, the United States is filled with stories of wise, strong, and just plain amazing women. American tall tales about resilient women from many backgrounds are presented in the text of this book and depicted by the robust lines of scratch board illustration. (Source: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/robert-d-san-souci/cut-from-the-same-cloth/) |
Tall Tales:
were based either on actual people or on a composite of rough and tumble lumber jacks, sailors, or cowboys. Exaggeration is the major stylistic element in tall tales. |
FABLES:
Fables:
are brief stories meant to teach a lesson, and they usually conclude with a moral. |
EXAMPLES OF FABLES:
- Chinese Fables: The Dragon Slayer and Other Timeless Tales of Wisdom
By: Shiro S. Nunes and Lak-Khlee Tay-Audouard Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Date of Publication; 2013 For thousands of years, Chinese storytellers have delighted listeners with stories about the value of virtues like honesty, respect, courage and self-reliance. Chinese Fables collects nineteen of these wonderful tales, some of them dating back to the third century BCE, and retells them in contemporary English for a modern audience. - Aunt Rosie's Fables of Courage, Honesty, Hard Work, and Wisdom By: Rose S. Ferguson Date of Publication: 2014 Aunt Rosie's Fables of Courage, Honesty, Hard Work and Wisdom, is a collection of artfully illustrated stories for children between 5-10 years of age. Each story has been written with a specific human value in mind and ends with one or two crisp statements that bring out the moral of the story. These fables feature kids, birds, animals, even elves and emoticons. (Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15843476-chinese-fables) |
MYTHS:
EXAMPLES OF MYTHS:
-The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
By: Rick Riordan Published: March 1, 20106 Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books Place of Publication: United States Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves. (Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28187.The_Lightning_Thiefa) -The Song of Achilles By: Madeline Miller Published: September 20, 2011 Published By: Bloomsbury Publishing Place of Publication: United States Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. Achilles, 'best of all the Greeks', is everything Patroclus is not — strong, beautiful, the child of a goddess — and by all rights their paths should never cross. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and soon their tentative companionship gives way to a steadfast friendship. As they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper — despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel and deathly pale sea goddess with a hatred of mortals. Fate is never far from the heels of Achilles. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate. Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart. (Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11250317-the-song-of-achilles) |
Myths:
grew out of early people's need to understand and explain the world around them and their own existence; they therefore recount the creation of the world and tell of the gods and goddesses who control the fate of humans. LINKS TO GREAT MYTHS:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/myths
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mythology_books_and_sources http://www.read-legends-and-myths.com/ http://sacred-texts.com/pac/index.htm |
BALLADS:

Ballads:
are typically hero stories in poetic form.
EXAMPLES OF BALLADS:
-An Earthly Knight
by: Janet McNaughton
Published: February 15, 2005
Published by Harper Teen
Place of Publication: United States
A cloud has descended over the household of Lady Jeanette Avenel.
The year is 1162. Sixteen-year-old Jenny has always enjoyed her freedom as second daughter of a Norman nobleman in Teviotdale, Scotland. But when Jenny's sister, Isabel, disgraces the family by running away with a dangerous suitor, Jenny is thrust reluctantly into the role of elder daughter. While Jenny worries about her sister's future, her father's attention turns keenly toward Jenny, and finding her a worthy suitor.
When Jenny is chosen as a potential bride for William de Warenne, brother of the king of Scotland and heir to the crown, redemption of her family's name seems within reach. Amid formal banquets and jousting tournaments, she struggles to impress the aloof Earl William. At the same time, however, she finds herself drawn to Tam Lin, a mysterious young man. Rumored to have been kidnapped by fairies, Tam harbors a dark secret from his past that threatens everyone close to him . . . including Jenny.
Glimmering with exquisite detail, Janet McNaughton's beautifully woven story transports readers to a magical medieval world where one young woman navigates the forceful tides of tradition and the ancient power of fairies to define her own destiny.
(Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/711003.An_Earthly_Knight)
are typically hero stories in poetic form.
EXAMPLES OF BALLADS:
-An Earthly Knight
by: Janet McNaughton
Published: February 15, 2005
Published by Harper Teen
Place of Publication: United States
A cloud has descended over the household of Lady Jeanette Avenel.
The year is 1162. Sixteen-year-old Jenny has always enjoyed her freedom as second daughter of a Norman nobleman in Teviotdale, Scotland. But when Jenny's sister, Isabel, disgraces the family by running away with a dangerous suitor, Jenny is thrust reluctantly into the role of elder daughter. While Jenny worries about her sister's future, her father's attention turns keenly toward Jenny, and finding her a worthy suitor.
When Jenny is chosen as a potential bride for William de Warenne, brother of the king of Scotland and heir to the crown, redemption of her family's name seems within reach. Amid formal banquets and jousting tournaments, she struggles to impress the aloof Earl William. At the same time, however, she finds herself drawn to Tam Lin, a mysterious young man. Rumored to have been kidnapped by fairies, Tam harbors a dark secret from his past that threatens everyone close to him . . . including Jenny.
Glimmering with exquisite detail, Janet McNaughton's beautifully woven story transports readers to a magical medieval world where one young woman navigates the forceful tides of tradition and the ancient power of fairies to define her own destiny.
(Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/711003.An_Earthly_Knight)

-The Book of Ballads
By: Charles Vess and Terry Windling
Published: March 7, 2006
Published By: Tor Books
Illustrated and presented by one of the leading artists in modern fantasy, here are the great songs and folktales of the English, Irish, and Scottish traditions, re-imagined in sequential-art form, in collaboration with some of today's strongest fantasy writers.
Here are "New York Times" bestseller Neil Gaiman with "The False Knight on the Road"; popular mystery author Sharyn McCrumb's version of "Thomas the Rhymer"; acclaimed children's writer Jane Yolen with "King Henry" and "The Great Selchie of Sule Skerrie"; popular novelist Charles de Lint's contemporary reworking of "Twa Corbies"; "Bone" creator Jeff Smith with "The Galtee Farmer"; Emma Bull's version of "The Black Fox," and much, much more.
Introduced by award-winning editor and writer Terri Windling, and finished with full lyrics and discographies of the classic versions of these songs and tales, "The Book of Ballads" is an event in the worlds of fantasy and graphic storytelling alike.
(Source:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/327674.The_Book_of_Ballads)
By: Charles Vess and Terry Windling
Published: March 7, 2006
Published By: Tor Books
Illustrated and presented by one of the leading artists in modern fantasy, here are the great songs and folktales of the English, Irish, and Scottish traditions, re-imagined in sequential-art form, in collaboration with some of today's strongest fantasy writers.
Here are "New York Times" bestseller Neil Gaiman with "The False Knight on the Road"; popular mystery author Sharyn McCrumb's version of "Thomas the Rhymer"; acclaimed children's writer Jane Yolen with "King Henry" and "The Great Selchie of Sule Skerrie"; popular novelist Charles de Lint's contemporary reworking of "Twa Corbies"; "Bone" creator Jeff Smith with "The Galtee Farmer"; Emma Bull's version of "The Black Fox," and much, much more.
Introduced by award-winning editor and writer Terri Windling, and finished with full lyrics and discographies of the classic versions of these songs and tales, "The Book of Ballads" is an event in the worlds of fantasy and graphic storytelling alike.
(Source:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/327674.The_Book_of_Ballads)
LINKS TO MORE BALLADS:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ballads
http://books.google.com/books/about/American_Ballads_and_Folk_Songs.html?id=Dn0cSe2ecuoC_
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ballads
http://books.google.com/books/about/American_Ballads_and_Folk_Songs.html?id=Dn0cSe2ecuoC_
EPICS:

Epics:
are lengthy hero tales or even a series of tales focusing on a hero.
EXAMPLES OF EPICS:

-A Game of Thrones
By: George R.R. Martin
Published: August 2005
Published By: Bantam Spectra
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.
The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.
(Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496.A_Game_of_Thrones)
By: George R.R. Martin
Published: August 2005
Published By: Bantam Spectra
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.
The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.
(Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496.A_Game_of_Thrones)

-The Hobbit
By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Published: August 15, 2002
Published By: Houghton Miffin
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.
(Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5907.The_Hobbit)
LINKS TO GREAT EPICS:
http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-epic-fantasy.html
http://listverse.com/2008/07/06/top-10-greatest-epic-poems/
http://kumarparal.hubpages.com/hub/TOP-100-FAMOUS-EPICS-OF-THE-WORLD
By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Published: August 15, 2002
Published By: Houghton Miffin
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.
(Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5907.The_Hobbit)
LINKS TO GREAT EPICS:
http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-epic-fantasy.html
http://listverse.com/2008/07/06/top-10-greatest-epic-poems/
http://kumarparal.hubpages.com/hub/TOP-100-FAMOUS-EPICS-OF-THE-WORLD
LEGENDS:

Legends:
are stories passed down through generations, usually about heroic individuals, spectacular events, or powerful gods.
EXAMPLES OF LEGENDS:

-Pacific Island Legends: Tales from Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia
By: Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong
Published: April 1, 1999
Published By: Bess Press
Collects forty-three historical or traditional stories from the Pacific Islands, including creation myths and stories of gods, heroes, and ordinary people.
(Source: http://books.google.com/books/about/Pacific_Island_Legends.html?id=yMz4rx2UBpsC)
By: Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong
Published: April 1, 1999
Published By: Bess Press
Collects forty-three historical or traditional stories from the Pacific Islands, including creation myths and stories of gods, heroes, and ordinary people.
(Source: http://books.google.com/books/about/Pacific_Island_Legends.html?id=yMz4rx2UBpsC)

-The Legend of the Bluebonnet
By: Tomie dePaola
Published: April 16, 1996
Published By: Puffin
When a killing drought threatens the existence of the tribe, a courageous little Comanche girl sacrifices her most beloved possession--and the Great Spirit's answer results not only in much needed rain but a very special gift in return.
(Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253000.The_Legend_of_the_Bluebonnet)

-The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
By: Rick Riordian
Published: April 1, 2006
Published By: Disney Hyperion Books
The heroic son of Poseidon makes an action-packed comeback in the second must-read installment of Rick Riordan's amazing young readers series. Starring Percy Jackson, a "half blood" whose mother is human and whose father is the God of the Sea, Riordan's series combines cliffhanger adventure and Greek mythology lessons that results in true page-turners that get better with each installment. In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book's drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.
(Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28186.The_Sea_of_Monsters)
By: Rick Riordian
Published: April 1, 2006
Published By: Disney Hyperion Books
The heroic son of Poseidon makes an action-packed comeback in the second must-read installment of Rick Riordan's amazing young readers series. Starring Percy Jackson, a "half blood" whose mother is human and whose father is the God of the Sea, Riordan's series combines cliffhanger adventure and Greek mythology lessons that results in true page-turners that get better with each installment. In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book's drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.
(Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28186.The_Sea_of_Monsters)

- Why Iguanas Have Double Tongues
This legend was assigned by Dr. Stoicovy to demonstrate the strategy, "Written Retelling." The legend describes the events that led to iguanas having double tongues. In the jungles of Guam, there lived a handsome and melodious iguana. Then, one day he met up with a rail (bird) and became close friends. They wanted to add more color to their bodies, so the rail painted the iguana with beautiful colors. The iguana tricked the rail, and splattered him with spots. The rail was furious and struck the iguana on his tongue. This is why iguanas have double tongues and rails have spots all over their bodies.
LINKS TO MORE LEGENDS:
http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/legends
http://www.read-legends-and-myths.com/
http://hassam.hubpages.com/hub/Famous-Legends
http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/legends
http://www.read-legends-and-myths.com/
http://hassam.hubpages.com/hub/Famous-Legends
RELIGIOUS STORIES:

Religious Stories:
are stories of human quest to discover and share truth concerning the spiritual aspects of existence.
EXAMPLES OF RELIGIOUS STORIES:

-Heaven is For Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip To Heaven and Back
By: Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent
Published: November 2, 2010
Published By: Thomas Nelson Publishers
When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.
Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery–and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read.
With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how “really, really big” God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”
Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.
(Source: http://www.thomasnelson.com/heaven-is-for-real.html)
By: Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent
Published: November 2, 2010
Published By: Thomas Nelson Publishers
When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.
Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery–and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read.
With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how “really, really big” God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”
Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.
(Source: http://www.thomasnelson.com/heaven-is-for-real.html)

-Instincts: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive
By: T.D. Jakes
Published: 2014
Published By: FaithWords
Modern life can seem like being lost in a jungle. With distractions and dangers emerging from every direction, it's easy to lose focus. Over time, we lose touch with one of our most powerful, purposeful, God-given attributes--the desire to be fruitful and multiply, what Bishop T. D. Jakes calls our "instinct for increase."
Combining historical, cultural, and personal examples with biblical insights, in INSTINCT Bishop Jakes outlines how to re-discover your natural aptitudes and re-claim the wisdom of your past experiences. When attuned to divinely inspired instincts, you will become in sync with the opportunities life presents and discover a fresh abundance of resources. Knowing when to close a deal, when to take a risk, and when to listen to your heart will become possible when you're in touch with the instincts that God gave you.
Bishop T.D. Jakes--iconic preacher, bestselling author, and entrepreneur--has inspired millions of people around the world. Here he writes from the peak of his personal power about how to experience the satisfaction of a life well lived. If you long to conquer the jungles of life, INSTINCT offers the personal and professional tools needed to navigate your course successfully and according to God's design.
(Source: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/t-d-jakes/instinct/9781455554041/)
By: T.D. Jakes
Published: 2014
Published By: FaithWords
Modern life can seem like being lost in a jungle. With distractions and dangers emerging from every direction, it's easy to lose focus. Over time, we lose touch with one of our most powerful, purposeful, God-given attributes--the desire to be fruitful and multiply, what Bishop T. D. Jakes calls our "instinct for increase."
Combining historical, cultural, and personal examples with biblical insights, in INSTINCT Bishop Jakes outlines how to re-discover your natural aptitudes and re-claim the wisdom of your past experiences. When attuned to divinely inspired instincts, you will become in sync with the opportunities life presents and discover a fresh abundance of resources. Knowing when to close a deal, when to take a risk, and when to listen to your heart will become possible when you're in touch with the instincts that God gave you.
Bishop T.D. Jakes--iconic preacher, bestselling author, and entrepreneur--has inspired millions of people around the world. Here he writes from the peak of his personal power about how to experience the satisfaction of a life well lived. If you long to conquer the jungles of life, INSTINCT offers the personal and professional tools needed to navigate your course successfully and according to God's design.
(Source: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/t-d-jakes/instinct/9781455554041/)
LINKS TO RELIGIOUS STORIES:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reledchil.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Religion-Spirituality-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=22
http://www.marypages.com/NiceStories.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reledchil.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Religion-Spirituality-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=22
http://www.marypages.com/NiceStories.htm
What Do Critics Say About Folk and Fairy tales?
Despite the importance of fairy and folktales, for no more than 100 years, attempts have been made to censor traditional stories. These objections fall into categories:
Psychological Fantasy- the inability of the mind to distinguish what is real. Critics fear that fantasy stories will lead children to be out of touch with reality.
Violence-Critics suggests that violent acts in some traditional tales will breed violence in young children.
Frightening for Young Children-Critics suggest that traditional tales will frighten children, causing nightmares and other sorts of distress.
Waste of Time-Critics feel that fairy tales are a waste of time and that children should be exposed to stories and books about the real world.
Psychological Fantasy- the inability of the mind to distinguish what is real. Critics fear that fantasy stories will lead children to be out of touch with reality.
Violence-Critics suggests that violent acts in some traditional tales will breed violence in young children.
Frightening for Young Children-Critics suggest that traditional tales will frighten children, causing nightmares and other sorts of distress.
Waste of Time-Critics feel that fairy tales are a waste of time and that children should be exposed to stories and books about the real world.