Cuentos del Zorro = Tales of the Fox

Gr 4-6-In this collection of traditional folktales the fox does not always emerge victorious from his battles of wit. A paean to the intellect over brute strength and size, the trickster can always outwit the mighty (although dim-witted) tiger, but he is just as often out maneuvered by the lowly armadillo. In one typical tale, the fox, in order to avoid becoming the tiger's next meal, convinces him that a dangerous killer wind is about to engulf them. The panicked tiger permits the fox to strap him to a tree for safety's sake. Several appendixes support the compilation of stories. One offers a discussion of folktales in general; another discusses the importance of storytellers in all cultures; a third examines the anthropomorphism of animals as a universal theme; and the last gives a short explanation of the origins of each tale presented. Although the black-and-white illustrations are unimpressive, this book will be an excellent addition to any school library. MOB