I was a little apprehensive about this one, as I hadn't read the first book yet, but this collection of oral stories and the desire of these girls made it worth it. It was a very pleasant read.

I read this book to my 6 year old and 4 year old daughters who I homeschool. I feel like it’s great to use as an accompaniment to English or social studies curriculum because each folk tale was from a different part of the world and/or era and had so many messages and metaphors to explore and compare to modern day. Aside from the cultural and historic elements, the stories are simply FUN for children to read or listen to. There is enough adventure, danger, and resolve in the short stories to really hold their attention even at a young age. One of the stories that stood out to me was about the siren, Iara. I was able to compare it to the story of Lorelei which is my youngest daughter’s name. I love how the stories feel empowering for girls. As a girl mom, I really appreciate it and plan on purchasing this title to have on my bookshelf. I would also love to share it in my Little Free Library with others in my community. We thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Lovely retelling for Girls and children of all genders. My kids thoroughly enjoyed these and the illustrations are beautiful and match the stories well.

I really liked this collection of folk stories. Some were familiar and some were completely new and delighted me. I appreciated the diversity represented across the collection, not only the locations and people groups all over the world, but also the different kinds of girls in each story, showing different kinds of bravery and kindness for young people to learn from.

My kids and I loved this book about fearless and courageous girls! Some of the stories I've heard of before but there were definitely some I've never heard of before.
Cute for a story or two a night before bed.
Thank you to the publisher for the copy!

Folk Tales for fearless girls is a great book, with an interesting title and lots of fascinating stories, it does not disappoint.
It feels like you are travelling around the world and listening to many loved traditional stories. You will find stories like ‘How the moon was made” and ‘Iara and her brothers’ which will take you to places that will amaze you. I recommend this book to be used in school and to be part of your home library.

Arcturus, the publisher who brought up adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories and Shakespearean plays, now brings up folk tales to encourage courage and independence in girls. This is the fourth installment of books in the Inspiring Heroines series, and I’m kicking myself for only noticing now.

This volume brings up some well-known tales and variations on them: “Elisa and the Swans” (German), the King Lear-like “The King and His Daughters” (India) and a close variation of Snow White in “The Little Sister of the Giants” (swap in three giants for seven dwarfs to get this Brazilian myth). Lesser-know but wonderful are “Ayanna and the Magic Cooking Pot” (Kenya), “Iara and Her Brothers” (a mermaid tale from Brazil), “Princess Pyeonggang” (Korea), “Savitri’s Love” (India) and “Tuya, the Clever Daughter-in-Law” (Mongolia), my favorite.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Some lovely stories, but definitely read them through first, before sharing them with children. The first one made my daughter cry!

This book is reminiscent of Folktales for Fearless Girls: The Stories We Were Never Told by Myriam Sayalero.

It again has stories that are allegory for different life lessons told from the mythological girls/women of the cultures they represent.

Overall a good collection of stories to have since they can be dissected or taken one by one to help with SEL learning goals or early readers practice their stamina in completing books.

And also, strong women -- always a plus in my book.
.

Thank you to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely little collection of folktales from around the world, that was thoughtfully curated specifically for young girls. The stories were simple, easy to read, and digest, but the lessons in them were meaningful.

This stories in this book would inspire young girls to be brave, love fiercely, and to be unfailingly kind. Lessons that we all need as small humans while growing up.

In "Folktales for Fearless Girls," Samantha Newman and Khoa Le collaborate to create an enchanting anthology that celebrates the strength, wit, and resilience of girls and women across cultures and generations. This beautifully illustrated book not only entertains but also inspires readers of all ages to embrace their inner courage and pursue their dreams with determination and fearlessness.

One of the standout features of this anthology is its rich diversity of stories, which draw from a wide range of cultures and traditions. From ancient myths to modern-day fables, each tale introduces readers to a fearless female protagonist who defies expectations and challenges conventions. Whether it's outsmarting cunning adversaries or overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, these heroines captivate readers with their bravery and ingenuity.

The collaboration between Samantha Newman's storytelling and Khoa Le's stunning illustrations brings each folktale to life in vivid detail. Le's intricate artwork beautifully complements Newman's narratives, immersing readers in richly imagined worlds filled with vibrant colors and captivating imagery. Together, they create a visual and literary feast that will enchant readers and transport them to far-off lands and fantastical realms.

Beyond its entertainment value, "Folktales for Fearless Girls" also serves as a powerful tool for empowerment and self-discovery. Through the adventures of its protagonists, readers are reminded of the limitless potential that lies within each of us, regardless of gender or background. The book celebrates traits such as courage, resilience, and compassion, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for readers of all ages.

Moreover, "Folktales for Fearless Girls" challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, presenting girls and women as capable, resourceful, and deserving of respect. In a world where gender inequality persists, this anthology offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective, highlighting the importance of representation and diversity in literature.

In conclusion, Samantha Newman and Khoa Le's "Folktales for Fearless Girls" is a captivating and empowering collection that will delight readers of all ages. Through its captivating stories and stunning illustrations, it celebrates the strength, resilience, and boundless potential of girls and women around the world, leaving a lasting impression on readers who dare to dream without limits.

I really liked this book of 15 short stories to read to my daughter. Little girls don’t always need to hear Fairytales about princesses and Prince Charmings, sometimes they need to hear Folk Tales to show them that they can be brave and strong too.

I volunteered to read this ARC through NetGalley

This is a collection of stories and folklore focusing on strong female characters. The stories are fun, some I have heard of before, and many I have not. All of them were interesting, and engaging, and had information on where the story had originated. Khao Le illustrates the book pages in a colorful rich palette. It is fun to look at. This book is great for kids who are 8 years and up. Some themes are very sad. Loss of parents, rejection from parents and society, death, murder. Nothing graphic.
This is a fun collection for children of all ages.


Description
Meet the heroines who take charge of their own destinies ...

This beautifully illustrated book retells an inspiring collection of 15 traditional stories from around the world. The classic folk tales feature bold, stereotype-defying young women who strike out with courage, and provide wonderful role models for young readers. Each tale is brought to life by the mesmerising full-colour artwork of award-winning illustrator Khoa Le.

Perfect for children aged 8+.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Publishing's Inspiring Heroines series retells classic children's stories, showcasing strong female protagonists who strike out against adversity and smash stereotypes. Featuring enchanting full-colour illustrations by Khoa Le, these empowering tales will inspire young readers to dream big.


I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a collection of 15 short stories from different cultures thats feature young girls fighting through various challenges and showcases their strength and resilience. The illustrations throughout the book are absolutely gorgeous and this could be a great book for classrooms or for children at home. The last 6 stories are my favorites. i believe the first half of the book leads with the girls going through excessive amounts of suffering before having their moment to shine or just dealing with incompetent men, For that reason I would suggest sharing these stories with children alongside other fairy tales or during conversations on the ability to rise up while refusing to accept cruel behaviors of others.

Young girls need more folklore to inspire them not just fairytales that show them they can not only be brave but they can be warriors.

Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a gorgeous illustrated read full of tales familiar to the average reader and new ones. This exciting compilation of 15 stories is full of courageous role models for young people and encourages doing what's right even if it is hard. This is a great read that would be perfect to keep young readers engaged for a lengthy period of time.

A wonderful collection of short stories with one key aspect in common - fearless girls! This would be a wonderful read for young girls, and it also provides insight into folklore from different cultures all around the world. Simply written with beautiful illustrations. Recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for a free digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

For lovers of the podcast Circle Round, an NPR production of weekly children's stories, this book will be a welcome collection of stories to read to your young ones. With multicultural stories (origins are shared), there is sure to be a favorite for all children and adults. I cannot wait for this in print copy to share with my daughters.

“Folktales for Fearless Girls” is a collection of folktales from around the world that feature spunky, smart, clever, kind, and fearless girls and women. Author Samantha Newman’s adaptations of the stories are short and use language accessible to young children. Khoa Le’s illustrations are detailed and colorful. They often enhance the tension in the stories.

I love that the girls in the stories are praised for their cleverness. I found it interesting that several wanted to live apart from their groups either to experience solitude or to live in harmony with nature. Each of the girls in these stories is unique.

This book is great for people of all ages who like traditional folktales or stories featuring strong female characters.

Classroom Considerations: This book would be great to have as an example if students are studying folktales. “Folktales for Fearless Girls” could also be used as a read aloud at times when only a few minutes are left in class. Most of the stories would take 5-15 minutes to read aloud. It would be great if teachers could get access to a slide deck of the illustrations to project in class. This would help students visualize the stories and also give them a great example of illustrations to match a folktale.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was so inspiring and entertaining. Storytelling is immaculate. I loved these stories with beautiful lessons.