The Lion Storyteller Awesome Book of Stories

K-Gr 2—Hartman has combined tales from his previous books into one volume, perfect for large and small storytime groups. There are classics such as "The Tortoise and the Hare" and newer additions like "Selfish Sand Frog" and "Kayoku and the Crane." All of the offerings represent different cultures, with their origins briefly mentioned in the contents section. These selections would be great for read-alouds and lesson plans that revolve around specific countries. Lastly, there are tips for making each entry an interactive experience with students. For instance, for "The Generous Bird," it is suggested that audience members participate by walking like a bird when the title character moves from place to place in the narrative. Nagy's illustrations, done in a classic style reminiscent of that of Tomie dePaola, are fun and vibrant. The layout is well designed, with text and images working in harmony.