Twelve stories about animals, insects, and othr subjects include "How the Camel Got His Hump," "the Butterfly That Stamped," and "How the Alphabet Was Made."

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying buzzing habit. A mosquito annoyed the iguana, who frightened the python, who scared the rabbit ... and now the whole jungle is in an uproar because the sun won't rise. The animals discuss the situation and decide to punish the mosquito. Even today, whenever we hear a mosquito buzz, we smack it hard!

Raven, a Pacific Coast Indian trickster, sets out to find the sun.

The little red hen finds none of her lazy friends willing to help her plant, harvest, or grind wheat into flour, but all are eager to eat the bread she makes from it.

A collection of legends and folklore from the native people groups of Latin America

Forced to marry an ugly frog, the youngest son of the Czar is astounded to learn that the frog is really a beautiful princess.

Kind Beauty grows to love the Beast at whose castle she is compelled to stay and through her love releases him from the spell which had turned him from a handsome prince into an ugly beast.

In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph's baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left--but then Joseph has an idea.

Anansi the trickster spider joins Turtle on a fishing trip, intending to trick Turtle out of all his fish. However, Turtle proves to be smarter and ends up with a free meal. Explains the origin of spider webs.

A little lamb uses her clever wiles to keep a coyote from eating her up.