The Caribbean islands have a vibrant oral folklore. In Jamaica, the clever spider Anansi, who outsmarts stronger animals, is a symbol of triumph by the weak over the powerful. The fables of the foolish Juan Bobo, who tries to bring milk home in a burlap bag, illustrate facets of traditional Puerto Rican life. Conflict over status, identity and power is a recurring theme--in a story from Trinidad, a young bull, raised by his mother in secret, challenges his tyrannical father who has killed all the other males in the herd. One in a series of folklore reference guides by the author, this volume shares summaries of 438 tales--some in danger of disappearing--retold in English and Creole from West African, European, and slave indigenous cultures in 24 countries and territories. Tales are grouped in themed sections with a detailed subject index and extensive links to online sources.
The idea of this women's magazine originated with Samuel Williams, a Cincinnati Methodist, who thought that Christian women needed a magazine less worldly than Godey's Lady's Book and Snowden's Lady's Companion. Written largely by ministers, this exceptionally well-printed little magazine contained well-written essays of a moral character, plenty of poetry, articles on historical and scientific matters, and book reviews. Among western writers were Alice Cary, who contributed over a hundred sketches and poems, her sister Phoebe Cary, Otway Curry, Moncure D. Conway, and Joshua R. Giddings; and New England contributors included Mrs. Lydia Sigourney, Hannah F. Gould, and Julia C.R Dorr. By 1851, each issue published a peice of music and two steel plates, usually landscapes or portraits. When Davis E. Clark took over the editorship in 1853, the magazine became brighter and attained a circulation of 40,000. Unlike his predecessors, Clark included fictional pieces and made the Repository a magazine for the whole family. After the war it began to decline and in 1876 was replaced by the National Repository. The Ladies' Repository was an excellent representative of the Methodist mind and heart. Its essays, sketches, and poems, its good steel engravings, and its moral tone gave it a charm all its own. -- Cf. American periodicals, 1741-1900.
"Every Boy's Book" is a complete encyclopedia of amusements and sports activities for modern boys. Excerpt: "HOP, STEP AND JUMP. Make a mark on the ground at a place called the "starting point." At ten yards' distance from this make another, called the "spring." Then let the players arrange themselves at the starting point, and in succession run to the second mark called the spring. From the spring make first a hop on one leg, from this make a long step, and from this step a long jump. Those who go over the greatest space of ground are of course the victors."
Misty asked everyone how pine trees could make such yummy smells. None of the answers ever made any sense. One day she let her nose lead her to the answer in the Annan Woods where she began discovering secrets. Ve lives in the Annan Woods. He walks and talks like other animals. He likes to run through the meadow on sunny mornings like other animals, but he is not at all like other animals. By accident he wakes up one day with a very big problem. The only way he can explain his problem to the wise old Mr. Owl who is the wisest of all wise owls, is to show the wise old Mr. Owl his secret. The wise old Mr. Owl tells Ve about many things, including other animals in the Annan Woods who are different from those in their family, but special in their own way. As you read, you learn why Mother Nature gave striped skunks the terrible smelling oil that they spray. Wolvie's plan shows you how being different can be a very good thing. You will find yourself shaking your head and clapping as you read about the adventures in the Annan Woods. You can think about Ve's tail any way you like, and no one can say you are wrong.
Learn everything you need to communicate with your furry friend! Why do dogs behave the way they do? What makes one breed so different to another? And how can owners work around these inborn personality traits? Talk to Your Dog will teach you everything you need to build an even stronger relationship with your canine companion. Find out where, when and why they want to be stroked, and how to give them a soothing reiki massage. Heart-warming, enlightening and absolutely true stories reveal how dogs use their unique powers to help humans, including warning them of danger, going to their rescue and playing a role in healing them. Uncover dogs' 'secret agenda' and what they would do if left to their own devices. Whether your pet is a lovable mutt or an aristocratic Borzoi, it's worth taking the time to get to know these magical creatures. First Published in 2005, this is a new edition.