Papa Gatto: An Italian Fairy Tale by Ruther Sanderson offers
children a different perspective of character to that of Cinderella.
The narrative is fairly simple and short tale, which makes it as accessible to
children as is Cinderella. The full page illustrations are beautifully reminiscent of old European paintings, like Rembrandt, in their style, detail, and shades of colors. In this tale, the step-daughter, Beatrice, who finds love is not as beautiful as her mean and selfish step sister. The story has just enough shifts in character descriptions to keep
readers anxious for the outcome. The book teaches children that beauty comes from within, and an ugly nature cannot be hidden. The book introduces the subjects of the value of love over wealth and arranged marriage. Because the only love that is found in the book is Beatrice’s love for Papa Gatto’s kittens, the idea of love becomes more accessible to young readers as it is shifted to the cute kittens.
In Akimba and the Magic Cow: A Folktale From Africa, retold by Anne Rose, poor Akimba realized that as much wealth as he will ever need is available to him through the animals all around him in nature. Readers may consider whether it is wrong for the old man to simply give Akimba the cow that produces the gold coins with out him giving anything in return. But through his loss of the cow, the sheep that offers silver coins, and the chicken that lays eggs readers realize that everything in nature is available to everyone just for the asking. Even if deceitful ways of man take from us, there is always more available in nature to sustain us. This is a short story including only the narrative between Akimba, the old man, and Bumba. The action is restricted to the old man offering the cow, the sheep, the chicken, and the stick; Akimba losing all of them, and then regaining them in the end. The simple plot allows readers to focus on the message. Simple woodcut illustrations in only two colors support the simple lesson perfectly.
Lon Po Po, by Ed Young is a Chinese version of the Little Red Riding Hood tale. In China the darkness of the wolf which impersonates Grandma (Po Po) visits the door of three sisters (Shang, Tao, and Paotze) while the mother is away. Readers may discuss the values of the Chinese for the eldest born child, as it is Shang who devises the brilliant plan to get rid of the wolf. Regardless of the leader, the sisters (family) must work together to survive. The illustrations are darkly shaded paintings which depict the larger environment, such as the land and ginko tree, the children are in. This tale proves to be as engaging as the original Grimm’s tale, and would be an excellent supplement to any international study for younger children.