Margaret Read MacDonald

In this retelling of a Shona folktale from Zimbabwe, a girl promises a crocodile he can come to a party in exchange for a favor, but since crocodiles aren't allowed in the village, she doesn't expect she'll have to keep the promise.

A magical boy grants a poor flower-seller's every wish until the greedy and ungrateful man grows tired of the boy's unpleasant behavior and sends him away.

Elephant was shouting and stomping. But could he stomp a hole deep enough to reach water for the thirsty animals? Maybe...maybe not. All the animals tried until tiny Gecko took a turn. He was small...but he was determined. And he was not going to give up!.

When Little Boy is frightened by a squeaky bedroom door, his grandmother brings in various animals to help him feel secure enough to sleep. Includes notes on the story's origins.

An old woman complains about all the housework she has to do, but when some fairies come to help her she finds that they are more trouble than they are worth.

A greedy cat grows enormous as he eats everything in sight, including his friends and neighbors who call him fat.

An African folktale about a mouse who pays close attention to her surroundings and avoids being tricked by the cat.

An old man and old woman throw their dinner leftovers unknowingly onto the tiny house of a little man and his wife.

Presents five folktales for young children, including "Snow Bunting's Lullaby" from Siberia, "Chin Chin Kobokama" from Japan, "Kanji-jo, the Nestlings" from Liberia, "The Playground of the Sun and Moon" from Argentina, and "Counting Sheep" from the British Isles.

A childless woman's prayers are answered by the arrival of a talking pot, but the new mother knows that Little Pot must learn right from wrong just like any child.