In Schools: Fiction Book Projects
As part of a partnership with Children's Services at Manchester City Council, the Trust has worked with some Manchester Primaries to produce fiction books based upon international Folk Tales suitable for young children up to 9 years old. The Trust has produced the following publications with schools in Manchester:
The Blue Fox (2011)
Created wtih pupils from Acacias Community Primary School, The Blue Fox is a traditional folk-tale from Bengal. When Lallu the red fox falls into a tub of blue dye he finds himself blue ‘from the tips of his ears to the end of his big bushy tail’. In this disguise, Lallu rules all the other animals. But will they ever find out who their new leader really is? Order Blue Fox here
Anansi Made it Happen (2011)
Created with pupils from St Philip’s CE Primary School in Hulme and St James’ CE Primary School in Gorton. The students retold and illustrated two Anansi stories: ‘Why Spider Lives in Ceilings’ and ‘How Crab Got a Hard Back’. Order Anasi here
The Tortoise and the Dancing Palm (2010)
Created with pupils from Lily Lane Junior School in Moston. Tortoise and the Dancing Palm Tree is a folk-tale from Nigeria. When his friendly farmer dies, Tortoise can no longer find food. He uses his magical powers to make a palm tree dance to the marketplace in which he hides so that he can take all the food he wants from the villagers. What happens when Tortoise gets caught? Order Tortoise here
Miss Peahen and Mister Jackal (2010)
Created with pupils from Oswald Road Primary School in Chorlton and based upon a traditional Pakistani folk-tale. A strange friendship of a proud peahen and a craft jackal who eat together and set about to grow more food in Miss Peahen's garden. Will they be able to stay friends? Order Miss Peahen here
The Gypsy Woman and the Cave (2009)
Created with pupils from Chapel Street Primary School. The Gypsy Woman and the Cave tells the story of gypsy who shelters from the rain in cave and is surprised to find 12 golden young men in there, and is amazed when they fill her sack with gold coins; but the bad tempered neighbour receives a very different gift. What is the gift? Order Gypsy here
The Man Who Caught A Magic Mermaid (2008)
Created with pupils from St Brigid’s RC Primary School. The Man Who Caught a Magic Mermaid is a traditional Irish Traveller folk-story of a farmer who captures a mermaid and stops her returning to the sea by hiding her magic tail-skin. Years later when their children find the skin, she is tempted to return to her ocean family. She protects her sons when they become sailors and it might be that her daughter becomes a mermaid too. Order Mermaid here
King Popiel and the Mouse Army (2009)
Created with pupils from Holy Name Primary in Moss Side and St Catherine’s RC Primary in Didsbury. Children from both schools worked together to retell this Polish folk-story. Greedy King Popiel is feared and very unpopular with the people. On the advice of an old woman, the people join forces with the town’s mice. Armed with needles, the mouse army corners the greedy King and his queen in a lonely tower, but do they defeat the greedy King? Order Popiel here
Mohini and the Monster (2008)
Created with pupils from St Thomas Community Primary School. Mohini and the Monster is an Indian folk tale, and tells the story of the Indian monster Bhasmasura and a local girl called Mohini. Bhasmasura sharp claws, a hairy, multi-coloured body and fangs like swords and terrifies the people who live near by. Find out how Mohini fights the monster to save her village! Order Mohini and the Monster here
Gift of Colours (2007)
Created with pupils from Ravensbury Community School. Gift of Colours is based upon a traditional African folk tale. A woman injured while collecting palm-nuts meets three birds and asks them to help her. Only one agrees and his kindness is rewarded with a gift of colours. Order Gift of Colours here
Ebony Mya and the Seven Duppies (2006)
Created with pupils from St Margaret’s Primary School in Whalley Range. Ebony Mya is an update on a classic children’s story. It's Snow White and Seven Dwarves with a Caribbean twist. Order Ebony Mya here
