EARTH CARE
World Folktales to Talk About
by Margaret Read MacDonald
paper 0-208-02426-3 Earth Care (xx pp.; $26.50; paper $17.50; Nov. 20; 0-208-02416-6; 0-20802426-3): Talkative animals and plants scheme to protect themselves, punish evildoers, and reward the compassionate in these charming folktales from around the world. MacDonald follows Peace Tales (1992) with this collection focusing on environmental issues. Readers and storytellers of all ages will find much to enjoy and ponder here. Several tales are written in simple, repetitive styles that can be read by young children. A brief proverb ends every tale, all of which illuminate the wisdom of some of the old ways and demonstrate that concern for the environment is not a new issue in history. These humorous, profound, deceptively simple tales are a welcome addition to world literature collections. (Folklore. 7-9)