August House Showcases Title Related To Diversity in February
Atlanta, GA — January 31, 2006
A young slave trickster looking for ways to outsmart the old master....A little girl out to impress whose story is told in both English and Thai....More than 125 multicultural folktales from around the world, contained in just five books....These are just a few of the multiple award-winning stories published by August House Publishers that are relevant for February's Diversity Month.
These titles and more of the greatest children's stories and folktales ever written are available at www.augusthouse.com. Among the highlights:
High John the Conqueror— sometimes called simply High John or John— is a slave trickster who always outwits Old Master. Much like Greek slave Aesop's animal characters, High John was the subject of subversive narrative, whose mission was to outsmart his oppressors. Tales of High John flourished during slavery, but after emancipation they fell out of circulation and his antics were all but forgotten.
The sixteen stories in this collection are much-loved by young audiences— and prompted the formation of at least one High John the Conqueror fan club. As the author acknowledges, "High John is the ultimate underdog. Kids relate to this directly, because all kids think they're the underdog."
This collection illuminates the unbroken chain of the black oral tradition which is alive in America. The Youngs, who are storytellers and teachers, have assembled an anthology that bears out both the richness and variety of a cultural heritage that has crossed the Atlantic, survived the ignominy of slavery, and triumphed over the ignorance of racism and bigotry.
In his introduction, Dr. Rex Ellis underscores the multicultural opportunity this collection offers: "They are stories that continue to be told by African-Americans because... they transcend color and culture. They are stories that represent our common experience."
More than 40 stories are arranged topically: stories about young heroes and heroines, animal tales, trickster stories, scary stories, updated tales of Br'er Rabbit, and stories about legendary African-Americans such as John Henry, Casey Jones, and Annie Christmas. Includes story notes, a map and a chapter on the African language groups represented in the book, and line drawings throughout.
People just can't live together without telling stories. We tell stories that are funny, ironic, insightful, or just simply pleasing to the tongue and ear. Stories just seem to happen. When a story happens with the force of universality, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is the common denominator of cultural exchange.
Here are 33 such tales, collected from Brazil, China, Korea, Russia, Tibet, Africa, from America's native peoples, and other lands, and chosen for the universality of their message. Celebrating the interconnectedness of people, animals, and cultures, each tale is presented in concise "retellable" form, suitable for all ages. Illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings.
As a child in his native Kenya, Dr. Vincent Muli wa Kituku learned many stories from his mother. She told him stories as she cooked, as she washed, and as she harvested corn. Now, Dr. Kituku presents eighteen of those folktales in both English and Kikamba, the language of Kituku's East African culture. Comments following each story develop the story's themes and moral direction. The stories, together with the author's comments, provide an excellent foundation for discussion with children in any environment.
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About August House
Recently recognized as one of "America's 101 Top Independent Publishers," August House is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning multimedia publisher of children's stories and folktale anthologies. August House's is based in Atlanta, GA.
August House Media Contact
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