Lots of great exciting stories for girls, young and old. I especially enjoyed the illustrations by Khoa Le.

Folk Tales for Fearless Girls
Samantha Newman, Khoa Le
I love folktales and Fairy tales. I am familiar with a few of the stories in the book. The common thread that runs throughout the tales is the lead character is a strong, brave girl. The stories are from a variety of countries. The illustrations are beautiful and add to each story.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy for review.

Folk Tales for Fearless Girls (Inspiring Heroines)
by Samantha Newman

Ayanna and the magic Cooking pot
Based on a Swahili story from Eastern Africa Kenya. The characters teach that its important to help others and that when you do it comes back to you. The story of Karma.

Catherine and her destiny,
Based on an Italian tale, showing that you need to work for what you receive, and not just what you expect.

Elisa and the Swans
Based on traditional German story. Elisa is given a harsh reality when she and her brothers are sent away from their father by a step mother. Interestingly it may show the historical explanation of turning Stinging Nettles into flax and cloth. It was a practice in Europe to make flax in to cloth, and stinging nettles. The process is very difficult and painful for the people who made it into cloth. The story shows this difficult process.

How the moon was made
Based on Maori myths, from Aotearoa, the characters of Marama and Hana, go on a quest for fire. they use the Pohutukawa tree to find the access to the underworld, where they steal fire, but they are chased and they loose this fire, to the sky, it becomes the moon.

Iara and Her Brothers
Based on a a tale from the Tupi people of Brazil, written in the rainforest it shows the nature of human greed and need. Iara, is transformed by magic into a mermaid.

The green serpent
Based on a French tale, where Bellotte and Laidronette two sisters who struggle with the nature of magic, and greed.

The King and his daughters
Based on a story from northern India, Rani, and Jia, show the two sides of the human ideal. But it is the youngest sister Lakia that shows that she has more thought then her sisters, but because of misunderstanding and assumption her family relationship is strained.

The little sister of giants
Based on the Brazilian myths, showing the nature of understanding the relationship of family. That family is those we choose.

Timun Mas
Based on a tradiontional Javanese tale. Mbok Srini, and Butho Ijo are gods who affect the relationships of humans.

Leelinau, the lost daughter
Based of the story of Chippewa people of the great Lakes, North America. From around the Lake Superior a tribe finds problem with Leelinau and her brothers, that the miss understanding the familiar relationships is only shown through respect and understanding.

Anush, the golden Maiden
Based on a traditional Armenian folk tale. In Armenia similar to Hansel and Gretel, that the two children Anush and Shen are abandoned by their father because of a step mother. They have more tests, and are threatened to be eaten by their family. Yet fairy magic is the solution to their problems.

Princess Pyeonggang
Based on a story from south Korea, the kingdom of Goguryeo.
Seeing the value of something maybe hard for others.

Savitiri's Love
Based on a traditional folk tale from western India.
Love is something you cam stand up for. It is something of value that you need to fight for with equal measure.

Tuya, the clever daughter-in-law
Based on a story from Mongolia.
A smart man values a smart leader. And a smart leader knows the value of those behind them.

Nayece, the mother of all
Based on a traditional Turkana folk tale from north-eastern Africa
Learning to live a new way is hard. But when you find a new way its easy to teach others

When I read the title and premise. I was excited to see if this would be a book we could pick up to encourage the young girls at our library. It wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't what I expected either.

I enjoyed the diversity from around the world - and the stories themselves were told in a way that was age appropriate and easy to follow/enjoy. However, some of the stories place women back into older stereotypes which I assumed this book wouldn't do.

I see the appeal, I just wish there was a bit more to it.

This is another book in the Fearless Girls series that deals with strong girls who find their place in the world. This one presents folk tales based on oral history from different origin like the Chippewa, Maori, Tupi in Brazil, Turkana from Africa, Indian, Korean or Javanese but also German or Italian based stories. The diversity shows girls from all over the world in different situations that need strength, courage or simply kindness. Some motives may seem familiar but then situations are similar in different cultures. I liked that the stories were accompanied by lovely illustrations, though they sometimes didn´t show the different origin of the girls. Mostly the tales were enchanting, but some had also cruel elements that won´t be good for every child. I as an adult had no problem though. I liked the introduction that told a bit about what was to expect in the book, especially regarding stereotypes that appeared in some stories. Most though were encouraging girls to go their own way in compassion and strength.
Thanks to Arcturus and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who knows a young, fearless girl or who wants to help a child to become one, might want to sit down and share this title. Both the reader and the child will enjoy this collection.

Included within these pages are fifteen folk tales from around the world. Start with the helpful introduction and then read the stories in any order.

Here children will discover that there are many ways to be brave. Hopefully, they will be inspired.

Each tale is nicely written and the illustrations are lovely throughout.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable storybook. It was great to read stories from all over the world. One of my favorite aspects of this book were the illustrations. I loved the way Destiny was portrayed in the Italian story, Anush in the Armenian story, and of course the Brazilian stories were entertaining as well. As these are just some of the stories covered in this delightful book! I would recommend this for girls of all ages, and look forward to seeing what the two authors have to share with us in their next novel.

4 out of 5 stars!

This beautifully illustrated book shares folk tales from around the world about girls who find their own happy endings no matter what happens in their stories. The book tells short tales about girls from a variety of places and cultures, including the Chippewa tribe of North America, Italy, Germany, Maori, France, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Korea, Armenia, Croatia, Kenya, and Nigeria.

One of the standout elements of this book are the stunning illustrations. They are gorgeous and the perfect complement to the stories. They help bring the cultures readers are less familiar with to life. The illustrations are full of beautiful details and bright colors.

The stories are also beautiful. Readers may be familiar with a few stories, but the diversity of them means that most readers will find several they've never heard before. They may also enjoy that stories from places in the world they haven't learned a lot about have similar themes and empowering heroines no matter where they come from.

This is a wonderful anthology to have in a classroom to introduce students to stories from different cultures or to read aloud to children at bedtime.

Love the content of this book and the beautiful cover. This book has taken many classic folk tales and put them together in one book with beautiful artwork perfectly for young readers.

This collection of Folk Tales from around the globe showcase a lot of diversity and offer other roles for the women and girls beyond princess or servant. However, despite the aim being toward "Fearless Girls" and offering other roles for the females, there were a number of stories that I felt depicted the same stereotypical issues: women being disbelieved because they are women or women being attacked for being strong or skilled. I think it would require an adult-child discussion to parse out the meaning clearly enough for younger readers to overcome the stereotype. Some tales are more developed than others and were more enjoyable and offered more clarity on the moral behind the tale. Some recognizable overlaps with commonly known tales in American culture will grab the attention of students.

I would recommend this book for 5 grade and above. There were some violent aspects of stories that would be too harsh for the younger readers I work with in the elementary age. If your older school-age library would benefit from having a collection of international folk tales, this could be a contender.

This is an eclectic group of stories and folk tales from across many different cultures and oral histories. What they do have in common is how they have survived, being treasured and retold to be finally committed to a written format. Furthermore, for his anthology they have been chosen because they reflect the courage, bravery and compassion of the female characters they recount.

Rewritten in a balanced number of pages the fifteen stories are of similar length and champion the role of women in such legends and tribal lore. With beautiful illustrations to maintain a young persons interest these are memorable accounts to inspire and share with enquiry minds.

The introduction expertly explains the books purpose and motivation in sharing these stories.

Reading them I certainly felt this sense of common ancestry and shared consciousness. With familiar tones and references to European folk stories previously read or fairy tales turned into commercial cartoons.

Undoubtedly there is a wide selection here without much repetition of the princess saga or the wicked stepmother. I like the sense of wholeness, being at one with nature and the pureness of spirit and love. I especially liked the wisdom to see beyond the obvious that crops up in some and the ability to overcome adversity when good fortune doesn’t always flow.

I would have welcomed more suggestions at the end on where else to go to find further stories and this lack of a bibliography was a disappointment.

However, within itself this book is a worthy collection of stories and will perhaps prompt readers/parents/relatives to seek out more of the same in a quest to understand better our world and shared literary heritage.

Book Review: Folk Tales for Fearless Girls by Samantha Newman and Mx Khoa Le (Illustrator).

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars

Summary:
Within the pages of this anthology, readers will meet fifteen heroines who defy conventions, shatter expectations, and create their own happy endings. From Elisa, the brave sister who saves her brothers from a terrible curse, to Leelinau, the free-spirited girl who breaks tradition to choose her own destiny, each tale showcases the strength and resilience of these remarkable protagonists. Additionally, readers will encounter the clever Princess Pyeonggang, who uses her wit to save an entire country, and Ayanna, the one-handed girl from Kenya who overcomes adversity. These unforgettable stories offer young readers a wonderful glimpse into the world of fearless girls who challenge societal norms and carve their own paths.

Thoughts on the Book:
First and foremost, the cover of Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is absolutely enchanting. The beautifully illustrated cover sets the tone for what awaits inside. Khoa Le's illustrations throughout the book are equally mesmerizing, bringing each story to life with vibrant colors and intricate details. The artwork truly enhances the reading experience and adds depth to the already captivating tales.

One of the standout features of this anthology is its diversity. Each story hails from a different cultural background, giving readers a global perspective and exposing them to a wide range of traditions and customs. From North America to Italy, Germany to Maori, India to Brazil, and beyond, Folk Tales for Fearless Girls celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures found across the world.

Additionally, I appreciate how each story is distinct, offering a fresh and unique narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Samantha Newman's storytelling abilities shine through as she skillfully weaves together these timeless tales, presenting them in a way that feels both classic and contemporary.

Conclusion:
Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a remarkable anthology that encourages young readers to embrace their individuality, challenge stereotypes, and forge their own paths. Through the captivating narratives of fifteen fearless heroines, this book provides a much-needed dose of inspiration and empowerment. With its stunning illustrations by Khoa Le and its diverse range of stories from various cultures, this anthology is not only informative but also a delight to read. Whether as a gift or for personal enjoyment, Folk Tales for Fearless Girls is a must-have addition to any young reader's bookshelf.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This wonderful collection of tales was a joy to read. I loved the variety of the cultures and types of tales included. The illustrations dotted throughout the book were lovely. I enjoyed reading this collection.

A wonderful collection of stories and retellings from all around the world featuring young women who are brave and defied everything. This is a fantastic selection of 15 stories. I love the vast variety and how each story is inspired by a different culture's folk tale. The artwork in the book is also really beautiful. Overall, I think this is a great read for young readers, it's got so much variety, and a fairytale-esque set of stories that will definitely engage young minds.

*Thanks Netgalley and Arcturus Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I really love folk tales. In the beginning, this book explains that folk tales are different from many other tales because there is a reason behind them. They might explain an origin or a reason we do something now or an attitude we have.
The illustrations in this book are stunning. There are stories from around the world about brave girls who know their own hearts and fight to do the best good thing. These girls don't care about what they are supposed to do or about what society expects them to do.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC