A collection of favourite tales gathered from the many different islands of the Caribbean, one of the world's richest sources of traditional storytelling. From the very first Kingfisher to Anansi the Spider Man, these lively retellings full of humour and pathos, are beautifully retold by Trish Cooke. The book includes endnotes with a glossary, additional information as well as ideas for activities that children can do to explore the stories further.

Enjoy a rich collection of folktales, myths and legends from all over Africa and the Caribbean, re-told for young readers. From the trickster tales of Anansi the spider, to the story of how the leopard got his spots; from the tale of the king who wanted to touch the moon, to Aunt Misery's magical starfruit tree. This book includes traditional favourites and classic folktales and mythology.

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: Anansi is invited to three parties and wants to attend them all. He gives each of his hosts a rope to tug, ties the other end around his own waist, and waits to be summoned when the food is served -- but when all of the food is ready at the same time, Anansi is caught in the middle!

"The lingering smell of wet mould hung in the air, and under the glow of the streetlight, her once shapely form was now a series of lumps and bumps clad in dirty old rags that dragged along the floor."FROM THE AUTHOR OF UNNATURAL ENCOUNTERS: ONLY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO...Island Tales, a series of twenty-seven folklore stories featuring supernatural beings and characters from across the Caribbean region. Characters who have no doubt haunted the dreams and nightmares and maybe even lives of most Caribbean-born people. Stand among the watchful army of pop-culture statues in "The Sculptor" or join the mob against Blue, the thieving shopkeeper in "Tipping the Scales". Stroll along the riverbanks with Nerida in "Water Baby" or maybe just kick back and enjoy a special feature article in the Sunday newspaper entitled "Endless Cycle". But, however you choose to spend your time here, just be sure to remember one thing: always cast a wary eye behind you, lest you end up like poor Mr. Gundy in "Piggy Back Rides for Mr. Gundy".

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: In this trickster tale from Africa, Anansi proves to Elephant and Killer Whale that in a battle of wits, brains definitely outdo brawn.

Professional Storyteller Wendy Shearer has gathered together stories from many Caribbean islands and countries, drawing on oral history and written texts to bring these folk tales to life. Many stories are of West African origin, kept alive through rhythm and song. These tales and their languages were blended with European and East Indian folklore, with royalty, heroes and spirits exacting revenge. Alongside the stories are newly collected reminiscences of migration to Britain from Caribbean countries during the Windrush years. These first-hand accounts mirror the themes found in the folk tales with love and loss, magic and mystery, caution and justice. Cric! Crac! Prepare to be enchanted by La Diablesse from Haiti, outsmarted by the trickster Anansi, or terrified by the shapeshifting Old Higue in Guyana.