Tales of Tricksters (Books of Nine Lives Book 1)
#1 in Books of Nine Lives Series
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
A collection of short folktales from Europe, Asia, and the United States recounts the antics of Reynard the fox, Rabbit, and other versions of the weak but clever character who outsmarts the bully. Nine short traditional and very entertaining folktales about tricksters, featuring selections from around the world. Trickster is a marvelous, mischievous, and energetic character found in various disguises in folktales from all around the world. Tricksters do things that are both foolish and wise, often at the same time. Best of all, a trickster's adventures can inspire us to use our own cleverness to outsmart the bullies of the world while creating some fun along the way. The nine tricksters in this volume come from all points of the globe, Persia ('The Smuggler'), India ('The Alligator and the Jackal'), Poland ('The Court Jester'), and France ('Reynard and the Fisherman').
Discussion points
What do you think motivates the tricksters in these stories to play tricks?
How do you feel about the choices the characters made in the tales? Would you have done something differently?
What do you think the stories teach us about trust and honesty?
Can you think of a time when you outsmarted a tricky situation? What happened?
Which trickster did you find the most interesting and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the stories to their own experiences by sharing personal stories where they faced similar dilemmas.
Discuss the consequences of the tricksters' actions in the stories and in real-life scenarios to reinforce the concepts of responsibility and ethics.
Highlight the cultural elements in the tales to enhance your child's understanding and appreciation for diverse traditions and storytelling styles.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings to the tales to foster creativity and perspective-taking abilities.
Use expressive reading techniques, such as different voices for each character, to make the reading experience more engaging and lively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of cleverness and ingenuity
Explanation: The trickster characters in the stories often use their wits and cleverness to solve problems or escape tricky situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think on their feet and use their creativity to navigate challenges in school or social settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deceit
Explanation: While the tricksters may initially succeed through deception, they often face consequences that teach them about the downsides of dishonesty.
Real-World Application: This could help children understand the importance of honesty and the potential negative outcomes of lying or cheating.
Example Lesson: Value of persistence
Explanation: Many stories showcase tricksters who do not give up easily, trying different strategies until they succeed.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the merit of persistence and the benefits of trying multiple approaches to solve a problem.
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: The tales feature a variety of characters from different backgrounds, providing a wide range of viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to appreciate and consider different perspectives, fostering empathy and social awareness.
Example Lesson: The power of humor
Explanation: Humor plays a crucial role in these stories, often aiding in resolving conflicts or easing tensions.
Real-World Application: By recognizing the role of humor, children might be more inclined to use laughter as a tool to cope with difficulties and build relationships.