Exploring Cultures Through Fairytales & Folklore

Folktales are a wonderful way to introduce your children to cultural heritages from around the world. Many cultures have developed the same basic stories but the details are often different, reflecting their specific traditions and lifestyle.

A fun way to start exploring is to read Cinderella tales from around the world. You can ask your child to spot the differences in each story. This is also a great way to teach your children that while each culture has developed different languages, food, clothing and ways of life, we all share certain common values and dreams.

Cinderella Stores from Around the World:

Wishbones: A folktale from China by Barbara Ker Wilson

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie

Domitila : a Cinderella tale from the Mexican tradition by Jewell Reinhart Coburn

Little Gold Star : a Spanish American Cinderella tale by Robert San Souci

The Rough-face Girl by Martin Rafe

The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece by Anthony L. Manna

The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story by Rebecca Hickox

Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella by Alan Schroeder

Cinderella illustrated by K. Y. Craft

Glass slipper, gold sandal : a worldwide Cinderella by Paul Fleischman

A list of more multi-cultural folktales that can be found in the Children’s Room at Manhattan Public Library

Posted by Grace