Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished. Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

Ages 4 to 8 years. Grandfather Tortoise is 100 years old, and it is time for him to pass down to Tomas his wealth of memories about the growth of Las Vegas. Tomas is awed and honoured by the importance of his new responsibility and listens to the stories attentively, just as you will when you hear about the Paiute Indians, the Old Spanish Trail, and the miners, railroads and importance of the events around Tomas' Red Rock Canyon.

A rain forest fable from Caldecott medalist Gerald McDermott

Deep inside the city was a hip and happy hare. He was zipping, sometimes lippy, takin' taxis everywhere. Way out in the country was a tortoise calm and cool. He was quite the mellow fellow chillin' out beside the pool. Kids will love to move and groove with this dynamic duo as they hop and pop towards the finish line in this hip-hopping retelling of the classic tale.

A boastful hare meets his match in this attractive retelling of Aesop's famed tale.

Tortoise outsmarts Elephant by proving he can jump right over the elephant's "tiny and stupid" head.

A young tortoise talks to her grandfather about taking life slowly, compared to jackrabbits and humans.