Reviewed By Lois J Wickstrom for Readers’ Favorite

Folktales have magic, kings, wicked step-mothers, and beautiful maidens. Good is sometimes rewarded. Evil is sometimes rewarded. And sometimes tricksters fool their way into power. These things happen in Sri Lankan folktales, too. But, unlike European folktales, the characters are not simply good or bad. This mix of traits makes the stories take unexpected turns. How many people do you know who would invite a thief to live with them because the thief is poor? Have you ever heard of a jackal that wanted to marry a human? Or a man who tried to get to heaven on the tail of an elephant? These are a few of the interesting stories in Folktales of Sri Lanka compiled by Hannah Leah.

My favorite tale in Folk Stories of Sri Lanka is “Sigiris, the Intelligent Man.” This tale of a rich man who became poor and then rich again is full of humor and twists and turns, fooling and being fooled. Like all the stories in this collection, it has the feeling of having been told and retold through generations. Sigiris’s tasks and rewards are varied. One of the tasks is a near duplicate of a European folktale about a tailor. The others were new to me. I was also impressed to see a beautiful young woman behave rudely, but receive rewards anyway because she has a true and honest brother. Folktales don’t really have an author. Hannah Leah has done an excellent job presenting Sri Lankan folktales and thereby sharing some of Sri Lankan culture.

Targeted Age Group:: 5

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
when I'm reading an old story book of Sri Lanka, I thought it should be known to the world. so, I selected some stories and brought up the book for you!

How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I didn't come-up with character's, because this story book is created by selecting stories from Sri Lankan books.

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