The Magic Crocodile and Other Folktales from Indonesia (Kolowalu Books)
Terada M. Alice
Grade 5-10-These 29 tales, with an extensive listing of sources, stand as an authoritative collection of Indonesian folklore. Traveling from west to east, readers encounter stories first from Sumatra, then Java, Bali, Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of Borneo), Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara, and finally Irian Jaya (the Indonesian half of New Guinea). There are creation and pourquoi tales, stories of miraculous births, a tale about a fool who triumphs over his tormentors, another that recalls Paul Galdone's The Monkey and the Crocodile (Clarion, 1987), and one with a magic-pot theme. All are accompanied by notes that further explain Indonesian cultural-and even climatic-conditions. A few selections are suitable for telling to younger audiences. Occasional full-page, full-color, richly patterned illustrations recall batik and shadow puppetry traditions. A solid addition to larger folktale collections.

Price: Bht 395.00