Strong women who prevail and triumph using their intelligence, courage, or resourcefulness are celebrated in this gathering of stories for all ages. It features legends, folklore, and fairy tales from such far-flung places as the Punjab, Africa, China, Japan, the Middle East, and Europe and from places close at hand-Hawaii, New England, and the Ozarks. Some of the tales are reprinted from their original telling, others are completely retold. All are excellent for read-alouds, story time, or reading programs. Also of interest to students of literature, storytelling, or women's studies.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsDaughters: Clever and CourageousThe Peasant's Clever Daughter (Germany and Italy)The Young Head of the Family (China)The Girl and the Road Agent (United States, Ozarks)The Tale of the Oki Islands (Japan)The Wild Goose Lake (China)Stone Patience and Knife Patience (Turkey)Sisters: Resourceful and SteadfastClever Maria (Portugal)Patience (India, Punjab)The Twelve Brothers (Germany)The Princess and the Giant (Scotland)The Snow Queen (Denmark)Fowler's Fowl (Germany)The Water of Life (Spain)Hansel and Gretel (Germany)Fortunée (France)Molly Whuppie (Scotland)The Witch (Russia)Maidens: Clever and TrueThe Robber Bridegroom (Germany)The Little Orphan Girl (Chile)Rachel Found the Gold (United States, Ozarks)Maid Maleen (Germany)East of the Sun and West of the Moon (Norway)How Kate Got a Husband (United States, Ozarks)Gifts of Love (Korea)Catherine and Her Destiny (Italy, Sicily)The Grateful Prince (Germany)Beauty and the Beast (France)Janet and Tam Lin (Scotland)Attendants: Ingenious and LoyalThe Learned Servant Girl (China)The Hand of Glory (England)The Wounded Lion (Spain)The Forty Thieves (Arabia)The Master-Maid (Norway)Ubazakura (Japan)Wives and Mothers: Devoted and CunningKumba and Kambili (Africa)Princess Sivatra (India)The Sprig of Rosemary (Spain)King Lindorm (Sweden)Princess Maya (India)The Basil Plant (Chile)The Lute Player (Russia)The Legend of Tchi-Niu (China)The Tiger with the White Ears (Korea)What Candy Ashcraft Done (United States, Ozarks)The Husband and Wife (Norway)The Foolish Husbands (Scotland)Bolster (England)How Toodie Fixed Old Grunt (United States, Ozarks)The Flying Head (United States, Native American)The Twelve Months (Greece)The Witches with the Horns (Ireland)One More Child (India)Mature Women: Bold and WiseThe Poppet Caught a Thief (United States, Ozarks)The Woman and the Robber (United States, Ozarks)Rachel (United States, Northeast)The Little Old Woman Who Went to the North Wind (Norway)Martha, the Holy Woman (France)The Woman in the Moon (United States, Hawaii)St. David's Flood (England)The White-Haired Old Woman (United States, Native American)The Wise Woman (Algeria)