THE MONKEY'S HAIRCUT

by John--Ed. Bierhorst ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 15, 1986

Twenty-two myths and folk-tales are included in this diverse and powerful collection. A lengthy introduction discusses Mayan culture, past and present, including its storytelling traditions. Trickster tales, creation myths, Christ stories, and ghost stories; both ejemplo (tales which have a moral) and cuerto (ordinary folk-tales or fairy tales); stories from the 16th-century Popol Vuh (Council Book) and stories which have been collected since 1900; and borrowed tales such as ""The Lost Children"" (a version of ""Hansel and Gretel""), ""The Miser's Jar,"" ""Puma and Rabbit,"" and a variant of the ""Tar-baby"" story are included. There is a bibliography of original sources. A readable collection and a fine piece of scholarship which should find a wide audience among children and storytellers.

Pub Date: May 15, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 152

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1986

Categories: CHILDREN'S