Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent and Anansie The Spider by Gerald McDermott

Just look at these two stories - both traditional - one from China and one from Ghana. There's a reasons these tales are told over and again through generations - they are simply very good stories. And in these packages - beautifully illustrated too. First up -  Tikki Tikki Tembo.

Once there were two brothers - the first one was called Tikki tikki tembo no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi pip peri pembo which means "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world!" and the second was called Chang, which means "little or nothing. If you are'nt smiling yet, this might not be your thing. If you are - I won't ruin it but just say yes, there is danger, yes there are no flotation devices or stairgates involved.

Here are the brothers playing while their mother washes clothes.

And a close-up - aren't they so sweet?

Be careful of the...well!! (Oh don't worry, he survives.)

Its a good story, but the best part is testing yourself on Tikki's name. Can you say it all without looking at the book? I can.

And next - Anansie the Spider. This is a must-buy.

Anansie comes from Ghana. He is part of the folklore of the Ashanti people.

He has six sons. From left to right - See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner (as in animals, not video games), Stone Thrower and Cushion. (this same listing device in used in lots of stories - other favourites of mine are The Five Chinese Brothers and Heckedy Peg.)

Each son has a different pattern on his tummy, its one of those things that you(or in my case, my five year old) spots after a few reads and is just so clever and lovely.

Anyways, the Dad, Anansie goes off on a trip, and gets eaten by a fish. 

Isn't it beautiful? (He is swallowed, not chewed, by the way.)

His sons need to figure out how to rescue him. Its perfect. Both books are good for ages for to six and up. Great, great read-alouds.