A collection of 11 traditional animal folk-tales from around the world, drawn from cultures as diverse as the nomadic Hottentots of South-West Africa and the Pueblo Indians of the Zuni River in New Mexico. The illustrator, Quentin Blake, has won both the Greenaway Medal and the Whitbread Award.

Was the stranger, who knocked at the city gates during a storm, really a princess? What kind of friend could a frog be? Read ‘The Frog Prince’ to find out. If you want to know why the animals were afraid of the proud elephant, Karpuratilaka, read the Indian tale in this collection to find your answer. Could the turtle really fly? A West Indian folktale reveals how the turtle took to the skies. Read about the party for the long-tailed animals in author Dianne Stewart’s original African folktale, ‘A Dance in the Moonlight’. This collection of fairy and folktales from around the world, is beautifully illustrated by Heidi-Kate Greeff and will be enjoyed by adult and child alike.

Whose your best friend? The one who enjoys being with you and allows you to be yourself or the person you wish was your best friend? A lot of children struggle with finding and keeping friends.Tortoise has two birds and a butterfly in his life. Which one will he choose to be his best friend and why? You are invited to join him in a delightful adventure to find a best friend. This is a beautiful story to help kids understand healthy friendships. Teachers and parents are loving the Tortoise series. Another amazing story.Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Values Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship, Social Skills & School Life > Self-Esteem & Self-RespectBooks > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > CollectionsBooks > Children's Books > Animals > TurtlesPlease help other parents and teachers find this book by leaving an honest review of this book and its illustrations.

Collection of traditional folk tales introduces a host of interesting people and unusual animals — among them "The Cricket and the Toad," "The Tortoise and His Broken Shell," and "The Boy in the Drum."

Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished. Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

African culture is closely tied up to its affinity to nature. It is not surprising, therefore, that fables comprise many of African folktales from past to present. Ibiye Omieibi-Davids¿s wonderful storytelling is demonstrated in African Tortoise Tales, a collection of memorable African fables set to capture the hearts and minds of children the world over. ¿The Tortoise and the Sardine¿ tells why stubborness leads to unfortunate situations that may affect someone forever. ¿The Tortoise and the Magic Drums¿ shows that greed brings nothing but misery, and ¿The Tortoise and the Stone Man¿ depicts that evil schemes and bad actions when uncovered will not escape punishment. Nine other interesting stories delve in varied themes like arrogance and humility, trust and betrayal, and loyalty and camaraderie. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, African Tortoise Tales is a book children and adults alike would enjoy reading for years.