For St. Patrick's Day: Fin M'Coul by Tomie de Paola

Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmanyhill by Tomie dePaola, 1981.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day and the fact that I'm somewhat Irish, let's take a look at the Celtic tale of Fin M'Coul and his clever wife Oonagh!  Although he is a fine giant himself, Fin has spent years running from the nasty Cucullin, a giant bully with magical strength provided to him by a brass finger. Cucullin has beaten every other giant in Ireland, and that is why he is coming for Fin. Luckily, Fin's lovely wife Oonagh has an ingenious plan to fool Cucullin, one that involves twenty one iron frying pans, fresh cheese, white stones and Fin all dressed up in baby clothes and lying in a huge cradle. Readers of all ages will love this funny and fantastic story of a bully's comeuppance and girls and women especially will appreciate the crafty Oonagh.

According to his website (http://www.tomie.com/) Tomie dePaola has written and/or illustrated almost 250 books and been published for 40 years. His books are classics, and this one is no exception. The art is colorful and playful, and dePaola's characters are very expressive and child pleasing. Readers will enjoy seeing the giants surrounded by smaller creatures such as tiny sheep, fairies, leprechauns and a bitty kitty cat. They will also get a laugh out of  bearded Fin dressed in his frilly pink bonnet, gown and baby booties.

Monkey King by Ed Young

Monkey King by Ed Young, 2001.


Ed Young has provided readers with a lively introduction to the Chinese Monkey King. In his Author's Note, we learn that Monkey's story is told in the epic Journey to the West, set during the T'ang dynasty (A.D. 618-907). It describes the travels of monk Tang Tsen and his companions Monkey, Pig and Water Demon as they seek to bring Buddhist scriptures from India to China.

Young's story includes Monk Tang, the Jade Emperor, Guan Ying, the Goddess Mercy, and the Buddha himself. It begins with the "birth" of  Monkey from a rock on Flower Fruit Mountain and his fast rise to monkey royalty. An ambitious trickster, he studies with a master to learn magical tricks such as changing shape, turning cloud somersaults and dividing himself into 100 little monkey soldiers. He can defeat bandits, steal weapons and the immortal peaches of heaven and evade punishment, but he is unable to best Buddha. Hundreds of years later, he regains his freedom when he agrees to become holy monk Tang's disciple, but Monkey is not done with trouble!

Young's collage illustrations of handmade and bought paper impart pleasing color and texture. The dynamic art shows the mischievous Monkey vaulting and somersaulting through his adventures and also interestingly depicts his allies and foes. The Red Beard Bandit has appropriately fiery facial hair, along with blue skin, pink tufts of hair and some serious fangs. The Dragon King is first shown as a menacing shadow. Guan Ying is serene, clad in white and a veil of light.

This book is a great choice to expand your knowledge of tricksters and legend and may send you in search of the full epic, Journey to the West.

Why there is no cat in the Chinese zodiac!

Sob!

Turning now to Chinese folktales and legends, I begin with the story of the Chinese zodiac. There are many picture book and illustrated versions of this story for children. The basic tale goes like this: an important person/deity decides to create the first calendar and summons all the animals of China to help. He will name the first year in the twelve year cycle after the first animal that reaches him.  Rat, cat, dog, pig, rooster, ox (water buffalo), tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, monkey and sheep are all invited. Although cat and rat are best friends, rat schemes to be first with a trick that shuts  the unfortunate cat out of the race and destroys friendship between them and all of their descendants. Rat also takes advantage of the strength and speed of Ox (Water Buffalo) to grab a lift. Rat is triumphant, and Cat is furious.

I will be adding to this post as I find additional versions of the story.

The Great Race: the Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Dawn Casey, Illus. by Anne Wilson. 2006.

The Jade Emperor, King of Heaven, decides to create a calendar and name each year after a different animal. He holds a swimming race across the river to determine the order that the beasts should appear in the new cycle. Here, the dirty Rat actively eliminates Cat from the competition by pushing him into the river while he is asleep. He also takes advantage of Ox by riding his back across the river, but then scuttling ahead of him into first place once they arrive on dry land.

Once all the animals but cat arrive, the Jade Emperor declares that every child born in an animal's year will share the talents of that creature.

After the story, information on the Chinese calendar, its important days, and the years and characters of the twelve animals are included.

The illustrations are done in bright collage. Wilson uses repeating circles, ovals and squares, and the Jade Emperor and the animals are done with intentional simplicity, like a child's drawing.

The Cat's Tale: Why the Years Are Named for Animals by Doris Orgel, Illus. by Meilo So, 2008.

This is the same basic tale, but told in a frame story. Mao the cat and Willow the girl belong to each other. When Nai Nai, Willow's grandma, comes to watch her, the child isn't happy about it because it means that her mother has gone out. Nai Nai begins to tell the story of the Zodiac's origin, but Mao is enraged when she forgets to mention Cat, and gives her a scratch. Nai Nai is angry with Mao and Willow is mad at her Grandma, so the girl and kitty head to another room by themselves. As Willow strokes Mao, the cat tells her the real story of the Zodiac race and Rat's betrayal. The story unfolds, and Willow realizes that she has lost her stuffed pig.  Fortunately, at the tale's end, Grandma appears and has the perfect way to make up with her granddaughter and Willow's feline friend.

Meilo So, who also illustrated Tasty Baby Belly Buttons, provides cheerful illustrations. Round Mao has wide amber eyes, a dear little heart shaped pink nose, and a very large indignant mouth when Nai Nai leaves Cat out of her story.

Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac. by Ed Young, 1995.

This is the same storyline, but it also follows cat's unsuccessful struggle to reach the Emperor. The animal's years and characteristics precede the tale. In the Author's Note, Young explains that the zodiac was established 5000 years ago by Emperor Huang Di. Young's illustrations are done in charcoal and pastels on Japanese rice paper.

What the Rat Told Me: a Legend of the Chinese Zodiac by Marie Sellier, Catherine Louis and Wang Fei. 2008.

It is stated on the endpapers that this story is adapted from a Chinese Buddhist legend from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 220 CE). It takes place on the morning of the dawn of the world. The animals must climb the Jade Mountain to reach the Great Emperor of Heaven. Although the rat has promised to wake the cat for the journey, he fails to do so. As each creature arrives, the Emperor praises their finest qualities. The sun rises for the first time, and the beasts take their places in the wheel of time. But, not the poor cat. The dates for each sign are given following the story.

The graphics are big and bold, all done in black, white and red. The Chinese characters for each animal, plus the emperor and the mountain, are used.

The Animals of the Chinese Zodiac by Susan Whitfield and Phillipa-Alys Browne. 1998.

Buddha wants to make a calendar and the name the years, but he becomes ill and sends his Apsaras ("flying women with magical powers") to invite the animals for a visit. So, the ladies journey to a farm, the mountains, the rivers and the plains to spread the news. This story gives more detail on the animal's behavior and travel habits. Rat is given the benefit of the doubt. Is he a trickster or just forgetful?

The animals are colored fancifully: a blue horse with a red, yellow and orange mane, a tiger with green stripes and a orchid shaded monkey.

No Year of the Cat by Mary Dodson Wade, Illus. by Nicole Wong, 2013.

In this picture book version, the human emperor looks for a way for all to remember the year that the prince and heir was born.

This is my favorite telling of the story, largely because of the art. Wong brings a very playful touch to the tale. On the title page, best friends Cat and Rat are shown with Rat sitting on Cat's head and dangling some string and a bell for her to play with. Ox smiles broadly at the twosome's flattery before they cross the river. Each creature is fussed over once they arrive, and a delighted Tiger is shown getting a tummy rub from one of the emperor's advisers. The art is also full of movement, from the various beasts travels through the river to the ruler's pacing with his line of advisers following him like ducklings, to the Dog shaking water off himself as he meets the emperor.

Why Cats Chase Mice: A Story of the Twelve Zodiac Signs

Why Cats Chase Mice: A Story of the Twelve Zodiac Signs Retold and Illus. by Mina Harada Eimon, 1993.


This story explains how the Asian Zodiac signs originated and why cats and mice are no longer friends. Back when all the animals got along, Kami-sama, the creator-god, explained that he needed twelve special animal helpers to aid him in guarding creation. Each would watch over things for a year at a time. The animals would be chosen on January first, when all creatures would race to his palace, and the first twelve to arrive would be the winners. The animals were all excited, but the cat Neko-san fell asleep during Kami-sama's announcement and didn't hear the day of the race! Unfortunately, he checked the date with the tricky mouse Nezumi-san. We know the helpers/Zodiac signs are the mouse (rat), ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. No cat. What could have gone wrong?

Eimon's art is colorful and her characters express big emotions. As the story begins, a family of tricky mice prepare to send a wind up mouse out to a disgruntled cat who is waiting at their hole. They are clearly enjoying their joke. Nezumi-san is also thrilled by his chance to best Neko-san and is shown waving a fluffy dandelion with an expression of glee. Finally, a priceless picture of the sulky cat, with flat ears, crossed paws and a dramatic frown, surrounded by the new Zodiac animals is bound to make readers smile.

Tales of Anansi the Spider: Picture Books

 Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel. Illus. by Janet Stevens, 2001.


All of the animals have fine gardens, but Anansi’s yard is a wreck. He is just too lazy to pretty it up. Fortunately for him, he discovers Hyena’s magic stick, which will do anything you request, if you remember the magic words. All goes well, until Anansi asks the stick to water his vegetable seeds…then falls asleep. Kimmel has loosely based this story on the Liberian tale The Magic Hoe.

 Anansi and the Talking Melon retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Illus. by Janet Stevens, 1994.

Anansi the Spider can’t resist Elephant’s melon patch. But, having eaten his fill of the biggest, ripest melon, he finds that he’s too fat to get out of the rind again. When Elephant returns, Anansi has to use his wits quickly. What if the melon should speak to Elephant? And what if the resulting fuss went all the way to the king?

Anansi’s Party Time by Eric A. Kimmel. Illus. by Janet Stevens, 2008.

Anansi invites Turtle to a party! But, he won’t let Turtle in until he follows all of Anansi’s rules. Turtle has to keep going home for more things to bring. When he realizes that he has been tricked, he invites the naughty spider to a party at his underwater home. Everyone has a swell time, but by the end of the soiree, Anansi is almost over the moon!


Stevens’ art for the Anansi series is bright, cheerful and lots of fun. Anansi is a chubby black spider with black beady eyes, but even so is very expressive. Whether he is lying on his back stuffed full of melon, carrying off his stolen stick or wearing his kitty party costume, Anansi will make readers laugh. The other animals are wonderful, from an incensed gorilla king to a zebra accidentally painted bright pink to Turtle in his bubblegum colored bunny suit. The author and illustrator themselves have a cameo in Anansi and the Magic Stick as they are swept away by the flood, Kimmel in a polka dotted animal inner tube.

Anansi Finds a Fool by Verna Aardema. Illustrated by Bryna Waldman, 1992.


This is an Ashanti tale, retold from a story by Robert S. Rattray in Akan-Ashanti Folktales, 1930. Anansi decides to go into the fishing business, and find someone to trick into doing all the work so that he, Anansi can get all the fish. He is surprised when his clever friend Bonsu, seemingly unaware of Anansi’s plan, offers to help him. But Anansi should beware, because Bonsu knows just how to manipulate Anansi, and soon the tables are turned.

Watercolor art. In this story, Anansi, his wife Aso and their friends remain in their human forms.


 Royal Drum: An Ashanti Tale retold by Mary Dixon Lake. Illus. by Carol O’Malia, 1996.


According to an introductory note, this Anansi story is from the Ashanti Tribe of Ghana. The spider is also called Kwaku Anansi, Nansii or Father Spider. In this tale, Anansi is a helper rather than a trickster.

The animals wish to come together more often, but how can they send an immediate message? Anansi comes up with the idea of a royal drum. All the animals love the idea and everyone works hard to make it so. Everyone, that is, except for Monkey. Can Anansi make sure that lazy Monkey gets his comeuppance?

This tale is told in rebus done on scratchboard. O’Malia’s oil paintings pack every inch of the pages with color. Anansi is a bright jewel of a spider in pink, purple and turquoise. This jungle is populated with a king lion, a hippo, an antelope, a jackal and more, who aren’t afraid to come together for a meeting. They are realistically drawn creatures, shown working and celebrating from daylight till starlight.

 Ananse's Feast: An Ashanti Tale retold by Tololwa M. Mollel, Illus. by Andrew Glass, 1997.


During a barren time when others are without food, Ananse the Spider has cleverly stored away supplies from his farm. He is just about to feast when his friend Akye the Turtle appears at his door. Ananse is willing to share with his pal, if Akye will wash his hands. This kind invitation doesn’t work out as well as Akye hopes, but a few days later he has a chance to repay Ananse by inviting him for a meal at his home under the river. Tricksters will be tricked!

In an Author’s Note following the story, Mollel tells that Ananse has his own body of traditional tales. In Ghana, they are called Anansesem or “Spider Stories.”

The Ananse of Glass’ art is a brown and purple fat bodied spider with an anthropomorphized face, a long nose and short spiky hair on his head. Patient turtle wears a red cap. Both creatures have comical moments, such as when Ananse puts on his ceremonial robe and dives headfirst into the river or when turtle holds up his still-dirty hands for his friend’s inspection.

Much more to come!

Zomo the Rabbit

Zomo the Rabbit: a Trickster Tale From West Africa by Gerald McDermott. 1992.


Before his story begins, McDermott gives some background information about Zomo. He is a trickster who originated in Hausaland, Nigeria and is the original character who is also known as Brer Rabbit in the USA. Trickster tales are told to entertain, but also to teach. In this story, Zomo is a very clever rabbit, but he wants to be wise as well. When he asks Sky God for this gift, he learns that he must earn his wisdom by doing three impossible tasks. He shall bring Sky God Big Fish’s scales, Wild Cow’s milk, and Leopard’s tooth. Fortunately, Zomo has his wits. He has his drum. But, he has no caution. Will his efforts be worthwhile?

McDermott’s pictures were done in gouache on watercolor paper. They are very bright, eye-catching and filled with movement, which suits the cheerful story. Zomo is a cute black rabbit with a stylishly patterned hat and shirt. Sky God wears a changeable robe with pictures on it that aid the story’s narration. The expressions the animals make when Zomo tricks them are fun to see, especially Leopard’s.

I really enjoyed this picture book, both the story and the artwork!