An easy-to-read edition of traditional African folktales including The Tortoise and the Leopard, A Rich Man and his Goat, The Magic Crocodile, and the Contest between Fire and Rain. Illustrated by Yuko Green. 60pp, USA. DOVER.

Dramatic tales from ancient civilizations. With text boxes and genealogies of mythic characters. Illus, 32pp, UK. EVANS PUBLISHING GROUP.

New in paperback. From Ghana to Lesotho, these stories uncover the rich culture of the many peoples who live in Africa. Retold by acclaimed Xhosa storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, and beauti-fully illustrated with hand-sewn artwork, each tale comes with an introduction to the country's customs and culture. 64pp, UK. BAREFOOT BOOKS.

Retelling of a traditional folktale. Little Ayanda loves her father so dearly that when he disappears, she decides never to grow up. When her mother gets sick, she changes her mind and grows bigger to help her family. 32pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA MEDIA.

A man with a tree growing out of his head? A woman with children made of wax? A bird that can be milked? More stories from his original celebration of African folktales, ‘The Girl Who Married A Lion’, evoke a land where the bizarre is everyday and magic is real. Illus, 164pp, UK. CANONGATE.

A tale from the Nandi people of Kenya - Ki-pat shoots an arrow to bring the rain. Colour illustrations by Beatriz Vidal. 32pp, UK. MACMILLAN

A collection of Zulu folktales rewritten for a modern audience. 64pp, SOUTH AFRICA. DAVID PHILIP.

1994 1980 0864861052 Paperback

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Collection of classic East African folk tales. Illustrated by Karen Perrins. An afterword deals with the possible origin of the folktales. 113pp, UK. RAGGED BEARS

2002 1857142535 Hardback

A retelling of the Yoruba myth of the coming of night and it's creatures to our world. 26pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Children's reader. Another story adapted from the Setswana folktale tradition, about the giant people, the Dimos, who hunted all over Botswana, terrorising living creatures including human beings and eating children. In this story, a Dimo attempts to kidnap the granddaughter of an old woman, Mama Chewelo, but finds himself in a pickle. 24pp, BOTSWANA. PYRAMID PUBLISHERS

2004 9991255524 Paperback

Children's reader. There is an oral story tradition in Botswana, which tells of giant people called the Dimos. The Dimos were all-powerful, had magical powers and were capable of super-human feats. Many people were afraid of them because some of the Dimos had a reputation for eating human beings, especially children. This story, which the author has adapted from Setswana oral sources, is about Iyapane, a young boy in training to become a bush doctor. 24pp, BOTSWANA. PYRAMID PUBLISHERS.

Children's picture book. Once upon a time, there lived a donkey who wished to be a lion. He wanted to roar like a lion, but could only bray, and the other animals were not impressed. He tried dressing in a lion's skin but still the other animals do not believe that he is a lion. Suitable for ages 4-7 years old. 16pp, KENYA. EAST AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS.

2004 2003 9966251693 Paperback

Oral tales handed down the generations by the people living near Lake Victoria. 44pp. EAST AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS.

The third in the series of East African oral tales for children. 44pp. EAST AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS.

When a young beggar finds a shiny silver coin in the dirt, he buys a gazelle. To his surprise she speaks to him and makes all his dreams come true. But when the beggar, now a wealthy prince, becomes jealous of the gazelle and dishonours her, all his riches fade away. Adapted from the Swahili. Also includes the story of Puss in Boots. 48pp, UK. FRANKLIN WATTS

2005 2004 074965788X Paperback

New in paperback. In the days before the Big Rains, many of the animals looked very different. This is the story of how Enormous Elephant came to wave his long trunk and swish his long tail on the Great Plains. A new folktale bursting with colour and vitality from the award-winning team. 32pp, UK. HODDER HEADLINE.

The first man and woman are lonely. What to do? They decide to fashion children out of clay. As they are baking the little figures in their fire, they're constantly interrupted by visits from the sky-god, Nyame. As a result, some of the children are pale and underdone, some are left in so long that they come out very dark, and the rest are every shade between. Frané Lessac's gorgeous gouache paintings, inspired by West African masks and pottery, and Eric Maddern's vivid text make this one of the most compelling of creation myths for young readers. 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

An illustrated story for children about a gecko in Botswana. Gertie Gecko is accident-prone. Her latest problem is that her pads have no grip. This turns her into a prospective tasty dinner for Wilbur and Sally, the resident dogs. Nobody seems willing or able to help. Will Gertie escape? BNS, 32pp, BOTSWANA. PYRAMID PUBLISHERS.

2004 9991255532 Paperback

As a child, Ifeoma Onyefulu was catapulted into a strange storytelling world where spirits ruled and animals talked, a world not so much about happy endings, more about learning a lesson or two. For this sparkling and funny collection she retells nine of the best Nigerian tales. 112pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Children's Edition. First published in 1989 as Children of Wax, this collection of folktales and animal fables from Zimbabwe and Botswana. Includes the stories 'Sister of Bones', 'Hare Fools the Baboons', 'The Wife Who Could Not Work' and 'Bad Uncles'. 174pp, UK. CANONGATE.

Inspired by Paulo Coehlo's popular allegorical tale The Alchemist, this is a delightful and imaginatively illustrated story of a little acacia tress that finds itself in a cold blustery garden in Switzerland. Unable to bear the icy cold weather, the tree begs help from the personified northern wind, which carries him on a long and eventful journey back to southern Africa. Crossing deserts, seas and equatorial climates, the tree finally reaches the savannah plains of his belonging. Col illus, 29pp, ZIMBABWE. WEAVER PRESS.

2005 1779220421 Paperback

Children's fiction. A long time ago, many animals lived in a beautiful, green country, with trees, and plenty of food and water. But after many years, there was little food or water left. So a clever monkey, who was more powerful than the other animals, employs a porcupine to store and protect some food for him. The other animals, a hare and a mole, try to deceive the porcupine and steal the food. They try many tricks and eventually succeed. The monkey becomes very angry, and orders his workers to shoot at porcupine with bows and arrows. But instead of dying, the porcupine remains covered in spines, and is able to protect himself. BNS, 26pp, KENYA. EAST AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS.

2004 9966251685 Paperback

A story intending to educate children about Uganda's cultural heritage. A long time ago, goats had beautiful, long and fat tails. They were almost as long as the cows' tails. The goats were the best dancers in the animal kingdom. But the sheep were jealous of the goats' elegant tails and succeeded in trapping them. With their beautiful tails gone, the goats were never able to win another dancing competition, and the sheep became the best dancers. And so a dispute began between the sheep and the goats, which survives until today. BNS, 19pp, UGANDA. FOUNTAIN PUBLISHERS.

2004 9970024361 Paperback

There is magic afoot in these stories in the service of good against evil... A collection of folk stories from Malawi and the Great Lakes of Africa, with colour and b/w ill, a very beautiful book. [First published in 1909 as FOLKLORE OF THE BANYANJA, by Madeleine Holland] 88pp, MALAWI. CENTRAL AFRICANA LTD.

1997 9990814090 Hardback

Mischievous Ntombi, the Chief s daughter, isn t at all afraid of the fearsome Ilunge River. But when she goes to swim there, she enrages the Mother of Monsters, with her gigantic head, bulging eyes and thick, slimy scales, causing more trouble than she could ever imagine! 48pp, UK. BAREFOOT BOOKS.

The tale of Mufaro's two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king's search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls andof course chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen. 32pp, UK. PUFFIN.

New edition. North Nguni folktale from South Africa. Young village girls are made to defeat a monster that lives nearby. 32pp, SOUTH AFRICA. TAFELBERG.

This is the coming-of-age story of Nyama, a young San girl, as she listens to her grandmother's traditional stories. She takes part in a traditional ceremony that leads her on her own journey to finding out more about herself and her people. Illustrated in colour by Gillian Mathew. 32pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA MEDIA.

For millennia, Somalia has been crossed and re-crossed by camel caravans of merchants bringing stories with them. Elizabeth Laird heard most of these oral retellings in Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia's Somali region, in gardens, bars, small huts and beautiful old Harari houses. Some of them are written down here for the very first time. This wonderful collection of down-to-earth tales makes a perfect introduction to a fascinating and little-known country. 96pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Seven Ananse stories from Ghana pulsating with mischievous animals, a touch of moral message and, peeping out wickedly above them all, Ananse the trickster spider. The original title story, The Parade, telling why Ananse became a trickster in the first place, is a worthy opener to six traditional stories including the favourites Ananse and the Sky God and Ananse and the Hat of Beans. For centuries, Ananse stories have been used in Ghana and the Caribbean to entertain children and teach them good behaviour - and with their vibrant sense of fun and cunning, these stories are sure to have enduring appeal. 96pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Variant on Red Riding Hood set in a South African township with market traders, a crazy-eyed rooster, Anansi the storyteller and a no-good, slick, sly stranger calling himself Mr Dog. 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Stories for young readers, following the antics of Njaga, the town monkey, and his son Koki. Pp.180, KENYA. PHOENIX PUBLISHERS LTD.

2005 9966471138 Paperback

Baby Crocodile wants to be King of the Nile, but first he must solve a baffling riddle. His search for the answer goes by way of ancient myths and modern mosques to the Great Sphinx, the New Library of Alexandria and some other amazing sights. This crocodile's-eye view of Egypt is illustrated with collage inspired by Egyptian art, and includes brief notes, a map of the Nile and a Pyramid Fortune Game to make and play. KEY STAGES 1 & 2 (National English Curriculum), 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

The legend of master spider weaver and the remarkable gift she gave to the world, the secrets of Kente cloth. 34pp, USA. BLUE SKY PRESS.

2001 0590987879 Hardback

This folklore story collection offers a feast of enjoyment. Ten enchanting tales, steeped in the imaginative richness of African storytelling: Where did the first stories in the world come from? How did little Tortoise win the respect of all the other animals? Who was Nanana Bo Sele Sele and what happened when she built her house in the middle of the animals' road? Why was young Crocodile so determined to get hold of Monkey's heart? 64pp, colour illus, SOUTH AFRICA. UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL PRESS.

First published in 1979 in South Africa, this is being published for the first time since apartheid, making the charm of Spinosa the Spider's tales and the bush available to the wider world. They reveal the lives of Tops the giraffe, Splash the baby hippo, Rip the rhino, and Rumble Drum the elephant. Illustrations by Chris Harvey. 96pp, USA. FULCRUM.

Discover how Sun came to live in the sky during the day, and Moon with her trail of stars came to live in the night-time sky. From award winning authors, Ann Walton, who won the prestigious Katrine Harries Award in 2006. The magical illustrations of the antics of Leopard and Lion by Tamsin Hinrichsen will keep all children entranced. 32pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA MEDIA.

The ancient and extraordinary baobab tree takes centre stage in this poetic and informative story of the wildlife of Africa. Old as a volcano, the distinctive `upside down' tree plays a vital role in the lives of numerous creatures. 26pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

2000 0711214913 Paperback

A collection of beautifully illustrated myths and legends from Ethiopia. 96pp, UK. OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 0192741896

2001 Paperback Ages 9 to 11 years

Recreates and globalizes an Igbo folktale about the animals' struggle for survival and triumph in a world where the weak and poor tortoises must strive to alter their powerless condition by confronting the oppressive forces of the rich and powerful elephants, who constantly push them to the edge of power and insecurity. 168pp, USA. AFRICANA LEGACY PRESS.

The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away. Illustrated by Carla Golembe. 32pp, USA. LITTLE, BROWN.