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• Between the Lions - "Two Coats, One Goat, and One Boat"
  Lionel's copy of a very rare Cliff Hanger book is missing! Did some bunny take it? Also, hear the folktales "It's Red, It's Green" and "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat."
• Between the Lions - "Three Goats, No Waiting"
  Lionel writes and directs a play of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," but who in the library can act scary enough to be the hungry troll?
• Reading Rainbow - "Abiyoyo"
  Based on a South African lullaby and folk story, this tale is about a boy and his father who come up with a plan to save the townspeople from the giant, Abiyoyo. This story song is retold and sung by its author, Pete Seeger. LeVar reveals some of the ways a story can be told with music.

Do in Class

• Arthur: A Folktale Play - Read folk tales from around the world and reenact the stories.
• Arthur: Big Buddies - Collaborate with older students on folktale projects.
• Between the Lions: On Stage - Act out a favorite story or familiar folktale like "Three Billy Goats Gruff" or "The Little Red Hen."
• Between the Lions: Spin a Story - Create a chain-reaction story and retell stories and make connections to other stories and songs with similar structure.
• Reading Rainbow: Abiyoyo - Make a tambourine and create your own music.
• Reading Rainbow: The Gift of the Sacred Dog - After watching this episode, try something different this year by beginning a new tradition that involves your immediate family, extended family or a neighborhood friend.
• Wonders of the African World: Explore Africa with Anansi! - Explore Ashanti symbols and then design an Adinkra "cloth" that tells a story. Create a stamp from found materials, substitute tempera paint for the dye and use paper instead of cloth.

Play Online

• Africa: Swahili Folktale - Listen to or read a Swahili folktale about a young prince whose manners and friendships helped him on a quest. Learn about the importance of manners and friendship as you help Prince Sadaka pass "Three Tests: A Swahili Tale of Choices."

Read

• 101 African American Read-Aloud Stories
  By Susan Kantor
  Published September 1998 by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
  Kantor's packs her rich anthology with myths, fables, folktales, songs, and tall tales suitable for readers of all ages. Nonfiction and short stories by contemporary African-American authors like Walter Dean Myers are also included in the book's 400+ pages.
• The Race of Toad and Deer
  By Pat Mora and Domi
  Published August 2001 by Groundwood Books
  When Toad questions Deer's claim to being the fastest in the jungle, he finds himself challenged to a race. Sound familiar? Slow and steady is not the lesson in this tale, but using your head is, and your friends. With help from other toads in the jungle, Toad wins the race. This retelling of a Maya folktale features Domi's bright watercolors.

*As most PBS children's programs offer one year extended taping rights for teachers, please feel free to tape them now and save them for use in your classroom during the school year.