What is Folklore? They are the oldest stories in the world from all over the world, handed down by storytellers from centuries ago. Folklore includes nursery rhymes, folktales, myths, epics, legends, fables, songs, and ballads. Before people could read or write, stories were told to entertain, teach cultural values and societal norms, and traditions. Almost every culture has their own folklore and I find it interesting to read folklore from other countries. Although many folktales have made it into books, it's important to remember that they all began as oral stories.

I chose two books from two different country's so that I could discuss the similarities and differences between them while also considering the illustrations. The first book is The Perfect Orange A Tale from Ethiopia, written by Frank P. Araujo, PhD, illustrated by Xiao Jun Li. The second book is Paul Bunyan, written an illustrated by Steven Kellogg.

The Perfect Orange A Tale from Ethiopia
Author: Frank P. Araujo, PhD.
Illustrator: Xiao Jun Li

In the back of this book. the author wrote a personal note explaining how he collected this story while he was working on an economic development program in the Harare region of Ethiopia. He heard different versions of this story in Eritrea and Somalia, however he liked the Ethiopian version the best. He also included a glossary of ten Ethiopian Terms so that his readers could understand what the words mean as they read the story. I really enjoyed learning a little bit about the Ethiopian culture along with the terms while reading this folktale.

The story is about a young, Ethiopian, orphan girl named Tshai. She was well liked by her neighbors because she was sincere and generous. One morning Tshai noticed the perfect orange while working in the orchard. She decided to gift it to the great Nigus (the ruler). While walking to the great Nigus' house, she passed by the evil, greedy Lord Hyena. He wanted her to give him the orange in exchange for a gourd of water, but Tshai refused the offer. The evil Lord Hyena began to make fun of her and her gift. When Tshai entered the castle and got in front of the great Nigus, she presented him with the orange. He was pleased and offered her gold and jewels in exchange. She refused the offer. She didn't want anything in return for her nice gesture. The great Nigus was even more impressed. When Tshai left, Nigus asked one of his servants to follow her and gift her with his finest donkey, a purse of gold, and a casket of jewels in the saddle bags. Tshai was thrilled with the donkey, not realizing that he was also carrying gold and jewels. When she passed the Lord Hyena's house, he was surprised at her gift over the orange. He began to scheme a plan to present the great Nigus with his cattle and a deed to his land, hoping he will also get jewels and gold. Instead, the great Nigus gifted him with the perfect orange in return.

The book is illustrated in soft watercolors of soft brown, orange, pink, and blue that contrast with the crisp, white traditional Ethiopian dress. Both the story and the illustrations seem to work well together, delivering the plot of this story.

Paul Bunyan
Author/Illustrator: Steven Kellogg

Paul Bunyan is an American folktale about he and his blue ox named Babe, along with his fellow loggers from Minnesota who cleared the path for frontier settlers. Paul Bunyan is an unusually giant man who had many challenges growing up, however he remained kind and humble. His strength to knock down trees and clear the way, helped the settlers on the move.

Steven Kellogg's illustrations are as exaggerated and giant as Paul Bunyan is huge. His illustrations are done with pen and ink. It is a combination of two art forms, telling the story visually and verbally. One art form doesn't out shine the other.

Both the story of Paul Bunyan and The Perfect Orange: A Tale from Ethiopia are similar in that they teach moral reasoning, concern for positive relationships and making a difference without expecting anything in return. They are different in that The Perfect Orange is a softer tale, illustrated in soft, watercolor while Paul Bunyan is an exaggerated, high activity, busy, zany kind of tale.

I enjoyed reading both of them and I hope you will too!