Juan Bobo is a Puerto Rican folk character who is a naive, happy-go-lucky trickster that can�t do anything right. His personality has inspired songs, literary compositions and theater while his tale, is a part of a larger tradition that spans several world cultures. This jovial book contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts the folktale from diverse cultures and defines words unique to the story.

The Caribbean islands have a vibrant oral folklore. In Jamaica, the clever spider Anansi, who outsmarts stronger animals, is a symbol of triumph by the weak over the powerful. The fables of the foolish Juan Bobo, who tries to bring milk home in a burlap bag, illustrate facets of traditional Puerto Rican life. Conflict over status, identity and power is a recurring theme--in a story from Trinidad, a young bull, raised by his mother in secret, challenges his tyrannical father who has killed all the other males in the herd. One in a series of folklore reference guides by the author, this volume shares summaries of 438 tales--some in danger of disappearing--retold in English and Creole from West African, European, and slave indigenous cultures in 24 countries and territories. Tales are grouped in themed sections with a detailed subject index and extensive links to online sources.

This exciting new anthology gathers together Puerto Rican folktales that were passed down orally for generations before finally being transcribed beginning in 1914 by the team of famous anthropologist Franz Boas. These charming tales give readers a window into the imaginations and aspirations of Puerto Rico’s peasants, the Jíbaro. Some stories provide a distinctive Caribbean twist on classic tales including “Snow White” and “Cinderella.” Others fictionalize the lives of local historical figures, such as infamous pirate Roberto Cofresí, rendered here as a Robin Hood figure who subverts the colonial social order. The collection also introduces such beloved local characters as Cucarachita Martina, the kind cockroach who falls in love with Ratoncito Pérez, her devoted mouse husband who brings her delicious food. Including a fresh English translation of each folktale as well as the original Spanish version, the collection also contains an introduction from literary historian Rafael Ocasio that highlights the historical importance of these tales and the Jíbaro cultural values they impart. These vibrant, funny, and poignant stories will give readers unique insights into Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage. Esta nueva y emocionante antología reúne cuentos populares puertorriqueños que fueron transmitidos oralmente durante generaciones antes de ser finalmente transcritos comenzando en 1914 por el equipo del famoso antropólogo Franz Boas. Estos encantadores cuentos ofrecen a los lectores un vistazo a la imaginación y las aspiraciones de los jíbaros, los campesinos de Puerto Rico. Algunas historias brindan un distintivo toque caribeño a cuentos clásicos como "Blanca Nieves" y "Cenicienta". Otros ficcionalizan la vida de personajes históricos locales, como el famoso pirata Roberto Cofresí, representado como una figura al estilo de Robin Hood, quien subvierte el orden social colonial. La colección también presenta personajes locales tan queridos como Cucarachita Martina, la amable cucaracha que se enamora de Ratoncito Pérez, su devoto esposo ratón que le trae deliciosa comida. Incluyendo una nueva traducción al inglés de estos cuentos populares, así como las versiones originales en español, la colección también contiene una introducción del historiador literario Rafael Ocasio, quien destaca la importancia histórica de estos cuentos y los valores culturales del jíbaro que éstos imparten en los relatos. Estas historias vibrantes, divertidas y conmovedoras brindarán a los lectores una visión única de la rica herencia cultural de Puerto Rico. Introducción en español (https://d3tto5i5w9ogdd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/03154419/Ocasio_Cuentos_Intro_Espan%CC%83ol.pdf)

This book is an introduction to the life and story of John Henry whose superhuman labors has inspired songs, literary compositions, and theater. The story of John Henry takes place in the southern US. His death, from exhaustion, is a symbol for the tireless effort made by many men while participating in the railway boom of the late 1800�s. This well-rounded volume contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts folktales from diverse cultures and defines words unique to the story.

The tale of Pecos Bill, an experienced horse rider and cowboy, and Slue-Foot Sue his naive wife who took a chance and rode Bill�s lively horse only to get throw off. This exaggerated story of what can happen when assumptions exist more than fact, has inspired songs, literary compositions and theater. This book contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts folktales from diverse cultures and defines words unique to the story.

The story of Paul Bunyan is about a giant lumberjack whose story originated in the oral tradition of North American loggers. This book is an introduction to the life and story of Paul Bunyan and his Big Blue Ox whose superhuman labors has inspired songs, literary compositions and theater. This book contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts the folktale from diverse cultures and defines words unique to the story.

The story of Brer Rabbit has origins in several world cultures and tells a common tale of a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn. This cunning creature steals peanuts from Brer Fox's garden patch, then blames Brer Bear for the mess. This well known tale has inspired movies and literary compositions. This lively book contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts folktales from diverse cultures and defines words unique to this fascinating tale.

Hiawatha, a Native American legend, is known as the spokesperson for The Great Peacemaker, Dekanawidah. Dekanawidah was the creator of The Great Law of Peace, a law that gathered and bound all Iroquois Confederacy together, first in oral tradition only, but eventually the decree was written with Native American symbols on wampum belts. This book is an introduction to the life and work of Hiawatha whose peaceful advocacy and education inspired songs, books and folklore. It contains original artwork, historical context of the story, recounts folktales from her diverse culture, and defines words unique to the story.

Juan Bobo was a muchacho, a small boy, who lived in Santa Fe when New Mexico was still a Spanish province. Nobody knew just what neighborhood he came from, but one day he appeared at the Governor's palace and caught the Governor's imagination with his quick tongue and ready talent for pranks. It was Juan Bobo who proved to the Governor that women are not always good, noble, and sweet. It was Juan Bobo who told the Governor why it is that white hairs appear on the head before they appear in the beard. It was Juan Bobo who escaped the wrath of the Gobernadora, the Governor's wife, with his wit and speed of thought and body. And perhaps he was such a fool as the Spanish name "Bobo" would imply, for when the women of New Mexico asked for a place in the Governor's councils, it was Juan Bobo who told the Governor what to do, and how to reply to them. The tales in this book tell the tales of Juan Bobo and the Governor of New Mexico, capturing the flavor of New Mexican folk tales from which these episodes were adapted. Each of Juan Bobo's exploits stands out with a clarity and naturalness like that of the sun on an adobe wall. The short Spanish vocabulary interwoven in the narrative adds to the spice with which Spanish customs are portrayed. The flashing white teeth and mischief-making soul of Juan Bobo will delight every young reader, just as they charmed the Governor of New Mexico. And few older readers will be able to resist warming to the antics of this engaging muchacho of Santa Fe.

Anything is possible in the world of Latin American folklore, where Aunt Misery can trap Death in a pear tree; Amazonian dolphins lure young girls to their underwater city; and the Feathered Snake brings the first musicians to Earth. One in a series of folklore reference guides ("...an invaluable resource..."--School Library Journal), this book features summaries and sources of 470 tales told in Mexico, Central America and South America, a region underrepresented in collections of world folklore. The volume sends users to the best stories retold in English from the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations, Spanish and Portuguese missionaries and colonists, African slave cultures, indentured servants from India, and more than 75 indigenous tribes from 21 countries. The tales are grouped into themed sections with a detailed subject index.