Ever heard the Kazakhstani story of The Magic Garden or the Indian tale of Amrita's Tree?  No, me neither.  That is until yesterday when I sat down to readThe Barefoot Book of Earth Tales with my daughters.  

 

I was drawn to the book by the lively illustrations and the promise of multi-cultural stories of people living in harmony with nature.  My girls liked that there were crafts and activities in between each story, like making a "song-line" painting or building a "willow den."  And we were all thrilled with the stories themselves...rich cultural folk tales about people and nature that give us a glimpse into other cultures and tradition.

 

Our favorite story, hands down, is the Welsh taled called Stink Water about an old farmer who has inadvertendly been throwing his old dishwater on a teeny tiny fairy cottage every night.  I won't ruin the story for you, but suffice to say that the fairies were none too happy with the old man!  

 

With folk tales from Australia, Nigeria, Bali, Wales, Kazakhastan, and the American Southwest and activities that run the gambit from native crafts to cooking, there is something for everyone in The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales.  All in all, it's a great book to read with your kids...on Earth Day or any day.