Traditional Literature
Legends, Fables, Folktales, Fairytales
Stories that have been around forever. Or so it seems. Many traditional stories started by being passed from person to person, generation to generation, and only later came to be written. The stories deal with fundamental values, and often offer guidance on how to live an honorable life.
Several Books for Young Learners (BYL) authors have contributed retellings of fables, folktales, and legends that draw on the characteristics of the genres. When possible we have incorporated a reference to the cultural origins for the books in this collection. Use the books to gain insight into the diverse communities that produced the stories. Or consider using some of the books as sources for storytelling. A great resource to help teachers is Children Tell Stories 2/e by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss. We have organized the books in these packages by Fountas and Pinnell levels, so they generally cover kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2.
Illustrated by Teri Sloat
Description:
Once both the fox and the bear had long, bushy tails. This folktale tells how the bear lost his.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: H
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 13
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 163
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A coyote participates in the life cycle of a peach tree.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 17 20
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 232 247
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
Goha learns that you cannot please everyone.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 13
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 114
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Description:
When outdistanced by yummy geese, Fox fills with rage.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 162
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A determined cat loses her tail during a big storm.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 137
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Description:
A banana-loving rabbit devises a clever plan to fill his tummy with his favorite fruit.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: I
Grade Level: 1-2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 198
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: M. Hamilton and M. Weiss
Illustrated by Bruce MacDonald
Description:
A clever fox outwits a vain crow and a gullible goat.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 409
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: M. Hamilton and M. Weiss
Illustrated by Bruce MacDonald
Description:
Dog never completes his mission.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: J
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 19
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 237
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Sharma Krauskopf
Illustrated by Noami Howland
Description:
A tale of how one foggy night in the Highlands of Scotland the unique color combination of the Belted Galloway cow came to be.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: K
Grade Level: 2
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 228
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Nathan Zimelman
Illustrated by Kathleen O’Malley
Description:
An encounter with a wish-granting fish gives a hungry fisherman and his wife a lot less than they expected.
(Realistic Fiction)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Early
RR / DLL Level: 14
INT Level:
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 174
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Adel Wignell
Illustrated by Tom Barrett
Description:
What froze during a coachman’s journey through the snowy German mountains long ago.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 432
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Janice Kuharski
Illustrated by Jo-Ann E. Kitchel
Description:
Clever Raven tricks the Chief of the Sky into sharing the light with all the creatures of the earth.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 17 18
INT Level:
Page Count: 16 16
Word Count: 160 173
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Casey Lynn Allen
Illustrated by Gregory G. Newson
Description:
A retelling of a Native American tale about the creation of birds.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 19
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 175
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Author: Sherry Bowen
Illustrated by Pat Paris
Description:
Spilled purple grapes + hot Egyptian sun = raisins.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: L
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 590
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: R. Hugh Rice
Illustrated by Bruce MacDonald
Description:
Giant Paul Bunyan shows the lumberjacks how to outwit the sneaky, hungry, logger-gobbling log garfish.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 114
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Author: Sherry H. Bowen
Illustrated by Kathleen Kuchera
Description:
This Native American legend tells why the pigeon’s feathers are gray, and how she learned that being yourself is the most beautiful way to be.
(Traditional Literature)
F/P Level: M
Grade Level: 2-3
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level:
INT Level: 20
Page Count: 16
Word Count: 473
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
Featured in these packages:
Photographer: Charles Perry
Description:
The writing of an original legend about a brave mustang stallion.
(Informational)
F/P Level: Q
Grade Level: 4
Reading Stage: Fluent
RR / DLL Level: 19
INT Level:
Page Count: 12
Word Count: 900
FREE BOOK NOTES (PDF):
Instructional Tips, Tools, and Comprehension Prompts
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