A bilingual collection of enchanting folk tales from the peoples of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay, accompanied by historical and geographical background as well as color photographs.Containing numerous tales that have never before appeared in an English-language children's story collection, this book presents many of author Paula Martín's favorite stories from her many years of experience in storytelling around the world and particularly in South America. It stands as a unique folklore and storytelling resource that will give readers a better understanding of life and culture in the southern part of South America.Readers of all ages will delight in entertaining stories about animals, plants and trees, musical instruments, lost places, fantastic creatures, and witches and devils. This collection also includes never-ending tales, sky stories, and folk tales about fools. The book provides related cultural information about the lands where these stories originated as well as the people who tell these tales, traditional games of South America, and recipes for regional food items that can go hand in hand with the stories.

CONTENTS PrefaceIntroduction: Pachamama-A Thank You Part 1: Southern South AmericaThe Lands from Which These Stories ComeThe People Who Tell These TalesTraditional Children's GamesRegional Recipes Part 2: Folktales of Southern South AmericaCuentos de animales / Animal StoriesLeyendas de instrumentos musicales / Stories of Musical InstrumentsCuentos de zonzos / Fool StoriesMonstruos, brujas, diablos y otras criaturas espantosas / Monsters, Witches, Devils and Other Scary CreaturesLugares Perdidos / Lost PlacesCuentos de plantas y árboles / Plant and Tree StoriesCuentos del Cielo / Sky StoriesCuentos con criaturas fantásticas / Tales of Fantastic CreaturesCuentos de nunca acabar / Endless Tales GlossaryTale NotesIndex