Bears Make Rock Soup, And Other Stories

This book is a collection of brief stories inspired by paintings that show the unique relationships between plains and woodland Indians and the animals that inhabit their world. The animals include deer, bears, moose, crows, loons, and eagles. The illustrator is Minnesotan Lisa Fifield, and the stories (written especially to interpret the paintings) are by Lise Erdrich. Although it is a picture book, this will probably be more suitable for older readers who will be better able to understand the meaning of the stories. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in the 'multicultural' category in 2003. Overall, it is a beautifully done book.

The Troll With No Heart in His Body

Trolls are central characters in Norwegian folklore. In this book. Lise Lunge-Larsen retells nine stories about trolls, from the title story to the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Butterball. Trolls are the central characters in each one, and the book would be a great resource for a folklore unit. With woodcut illustrations by Betsy Bowen, this won the Minnesota Book Award in 2000, and was selected for Horn Book Fanfare and the national social studies list that year as well.

The Hidden Folk

Subtitled, Stories of Fairies, Dwarves, Selkies, and other Secret Beings; this book is a collection of nine stories about faries, gnomes, elves, dwarves, water horses, hill folk, river sprites, and selkies compiled by Lise Lunge-Larson. The stories are drawn from northern European folklore, and tell about those "beings whose presence we feel but whom we cannot see". The scratchboard illustrations by Beth Krommes add to the fairytale feel of this book. It won the Minnesota Book Award in 2005.

Shingebiss; An Ojibwe Legend

This is the story of Shingebiss, a little duck who lived in the Northwoods near Lake Superior. Since Lake Superior does not freeze over in winter, he has always had lots of food. But one year, the winter is particularly harsh, and Shingebiss must outsmart the fierce Winter Maker. The lesson in this folktale is that those who follow the lessons of Shingebiss will always have plenty to eat. Written by Nancy Van Laan, with wood block print illustrations by Minnesota's Betsy Bowen, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1998, and was selected for the national social studies list that year.

Adventures of Thor the Thunder God

This compilation of stories will introduce young readers to the Norse god Thor and others in his pantheon. Thor is the biggest, strongest, and bravest Norse god; and he is the main character in each chapter-length story found here. Retold by Lise Lunge-Larson, with digital illustrations by Jim Madsen, this is a nice addition to library folklore collections, and to folklore unites at the intermediate reading level. It includes a glossary and list of additional resources in back.

The Day Ocean Came to Visit

In an adaptation of the Nigerian folk story "Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky", Diane Wolkstein recounts how Sun and Moon once lived on earth and they invited their new friend Ocean to visit. At first Ocean refused because she would be too much trouble. But Sun insisted, and so Ocean arrived one day; but no one was prepared for what happened! With illustratations by Minnesota's Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2002.

Big Momma Makes the World

In a little twist of the creation story, Big Momma creates a world of light, dark, sun, moon, earth, animals, and people; all just by speaking. With a down-home style, author Phyllis Root and illustrator Helen Oxenbury tell the creation story in a new and unique way. This won the Horn Book Award for Picture Books in 2003.

The Windigo's Return

When members of an Ojibwe village begin to disappear, the elders believe that a Windigo (a shape-shifting giant) is to blame. But they cannot find a plan for ridding the viallage of this Windigo until a young girl suggests an idea. Not only does her plan work, but the story also provides an explanation for why mosquitos bite. Written by Douglas Wood, with acrylic illustrations by Greg Couch, this story could be the basis for a good campfire story in the summer.

Humble Pie

Set in medieval times, this story introduces readers to Theo, a completely spoiled rotten, lazy, selfish little boy. Finally one day, when Theo has eaten his baby brother's birthday cake, his grandmother bakes a huge humble pie, and with a magic rhyme pops Theo inside. And getting out is not easy! Author Jennifer Donnelly combines medieval fable and modern wit with wonderful illustrations by Minnesota's Stephen Gammell to make this a winner.

Rabbit and the Moon

Rabbit has always wanted to visit the moon, but he can't jump high enough to get there, and none of his flying friends are willing to help him. Finally, Crane offers to help. With Rabbit clutching his legs, Crane carries him to the moon. As a result of his kindness, Crane is changed in ways that are still evident today. This adaptation of a Cree legend by Douglas Wood, celebrates nature, friendship and the pursuit of dreams. The realistic watercolor illustrations by Leslie Baker and warmth to the story.

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof

When an American child loses a tooth, he puts it under his pillow at night and the Tooth Fairy brings him money for it while he sleeps. This book introduces readers to other lost tooth traditions from around the world. Written by Minnesotan Selby Beeler, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, it could be used as a teacher resource for helping children at that age when their baby teeth fall out, or for a health unit on teeth.

Wiil Waal; A Somali Folktale

Wiil Waal is the nickname of a famous Sultan in Somalia. One day he brings a group of men together to challenge them with a riddle. "Bring me part of one of your sheep - that will symbolize what can divide people and unite them as one." What part of the sheep is the answer?, the leg, the heart, the ribs? Most of the men presented prime cuts of meat. But the daughter of a poor man had a different idea. That advice brings about a surprising result. Part of the Somali Bilingual Book Project of the Minnesota Humanities Commission; retold by Kathleen Moriarty, translated by Jamal Adam, and illustrated by Amin Amir, this is an excellent multicultural tale.

Love and Roast Chicken

A trickster tale from the Andes Mountains of South America, this is the story of a clever guinea pig who repeatedly outsmarts the fox that wants to eat him for dinner. Students might enjoy comparing this with Brer Rabbit stories. Written and illustrated by Barbara Knutson, it was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2005.

Dhegdheer: A Scary Somali Folktale

Pronounced Deg/duur, this story is a widely known folktale in Somalia. Somewhat like the witch in Hansel and Gretel, Dhegdheer is known to gobble up children. While it is a scary story, no one gets eaten in this version. Retold by Marian Hassan, with illustrations by Betsy Bowen, this book is part of the Somali Bilingual Book Project of the Minnesota Humanities Commission.

Lucia and the Light

Lucia and her family live in a cabin in the mountains of the Far North. They are happy and content until one day when the sun does not rise over the mountain. After many days of darkness, Lucia sets out with her skiis, a tinderbox to make fire, and her white cat to find the sun. Written by Phyllis Root with eerie and suspenseful illustrations by Mary GrandPre, this could be a good read-aloud for children studying the winter season.

The Night Rainbow

This story is told in poem form and is based on legends from several countries about the northern lights. The lights were often associated with animals, ghosts, dancers, and even raging battles. Written by Barbara Esbensen, with very realistic illustrations by Helen Davie, this is really a book for all ages. End notes provide more information about legends connected to the northern lights and basic scientific information about the aurora borealis.

The Legend of the Loon

This book tells the story of a magical grandmother and her special relationship with her grandchildren. She lives in a cabin in the north woods and teaches the children special lessons about nature and the seasons. One day the children row a boat out onto the lake. When the fog comes in, they are lost. Grandmother Lom wades into the water, waves her arms back and forth and calls "where are yoooou?" The children can hear her, but suddenly the sound stops and a black bird with special coloring flies over head. The children follow the bird home, but when they arrive, grandmother is gone. It is a beautifully told and illustrated story by Kathy-jo Wargin and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, telling the story of a Minnesota symbol.

The Legend of Minnesota

The origin of the word "Minnesota" is often attributed to the Dakotah word for "sky-tinted water". This book tells another story about the Ojibwe word for the north woods. The word Mah-nu-sa-tia, also spelled Maanizaadi was used to describe the wooded land west of Lake Superior. This book, written by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by David Geister, tells the story of an Ojibwe maiden and a Dakotah boy who encouter one another in the woods. He is ill and she nurses him back to health. Later when people in her village become ill, she also saves them. As a result, she earns the name Mah-nu-sa-tia.

Tree Trolls! In the Rommegrot Pot

If you've read "Horns and Wrinkles", here is another story about trolls and Minnesota. This one is a picture book written and illustrated by Marjory Johnson Wood with rosemaling by Teresa Ann McCue. This tells the story of how trolls arrived from Scandinavia and how they settled in the North Woods. It also relates a story of how Grandma Pauline and her family tangled with trolls one night during blueberry picking season. It is a clever little story with additional resources in the back.

Fearless John: The Legend of John Beargrease

Readers will enjoy this true story of John Beargrease, an Anishinaabe woodsman and U.S. mail carrier along the north shore in the late 1800's. John braved cold and ice, and wild animals to deliver mail and supplies to residents in the region. He is honored in modern times by the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon following a route he used long ago. Written by Kelly Emerling Rauzi, illustrated by Mila Horak, this book will introduce readers to a lesser-known Minnesota hero.