The Cow-Tail Switch, and Other West African Stories facts for kids
The Cow-Tail Switch, and Other West African Stories is a famous book filled with exciting folk tales from West Africa. Written by Harold Courlander, this collection shares stories about people, animals, and even kings and warriors. It was first published in 1947.
Contents
Discover West African Folk Tales
This special book brings together many traditional stories from West Africa. Folk tales are old stories passed down from one generation to the next. They often teach important lessons or explain how things in the world began. These stories are a big part of a culture's history and beliefs.
What Are Folk Tales?
Folk tales are like treasures of wisdom and imagination. They are not usually written down by one person at first. Instead, they are told aloud, changing a little bit each time. This is how they travel through time and across different communities. The tales in The Cow-Tail Switch show the rich storytelling traditions of West Africa.
Meet the Author: Harold Courlander
The author, Harold Courlander, was an American writer and expert on folklore. He traveled to many places, including West Africa, to collect these amazing stories. He made sure to write them down so that more people could enjoy them. Courlander wanted to share the beauty and wisdom of these traditional tales with young readers.
A Special Award: Newbery Honor
The Cow-Tail Switch, and Other West African Stories received a very important award. In 1948, it was named a Newbery Honor book. The Newbery Medal is one of the most respected awards for children's literature in the United States. Being a Newbery Honor book means it was recognized as one of the best children's books published that year. This award shows how well-loved and important this collection of stories is.
