Folk Literature Sometimes called folklore. Usually doesn’t have a single, identifiable author. Begins with oral tradition, not written down, so there may be many different versions. At least some part of the story is unrealistic. Usually has “good guys” and “bad guys”. Usually set in the past; “long ago” or “once upon a time”.

FANTASY Fantasy is NOT folklore, because it has an identifiable author (for example, we all know who wrote Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Fantasy often has many of the same elements as folklore (for example, magic and mythical creatures).

Types of Folk Literature Fairy Tales Special beginning and/or ending words- Once upon a time…and they lived happily ever after. Royalty and/ or castle usually present Good/Evil characters Magic happens Problem and a solution Things often happen in “threes” or ”sevens”

Cinderella is an example of a fairy tale.

Folk tales Are about common people. Are not realistic. Can have ghosts, goblins and ogres.

Types of Folk Literature The Teeny-Tiny Woman is an example of a folk tale.

Types of Folk Literature Legends Are usually set in a recognizable place and time. Have a main character who performs heroic or superhuman deeds. Are often based on a real person from history. Include tall tales, which are American legends.

Types of Folk Literature King Arthur is an example of a legend.

Types of Folk Literature Myths Are early man’s desire to explain the universe Feature gods and goddesses. Often tell how things came to be or how things were in the beginning of time.

Types of Folk Literature Hercules is an example of a myth.

Types of Folk Literature Pour quoi stories Are imaginative stories of why or how things in nature came to be that way.

Types of Folk Literature Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is an example of a pour quoi tale.

Types of Folk Literature Fables Are short teaching stories. Often have animal characters that act like people and have human flaws. End with a moral that tells the lesson of the story. The most famous fables were those told by Aesop.

Types of Folk Literature The Hare and the Tortoise is an example of a fable.

Types of Folk Literature Trickster tales Are folk tales about clever animals (or people) who like to trick others. Are the root of some cartoon characters, like Bugs Bunny or the Road Runner.

Types of Folk Literature Borreguita and the Coyote is an example of a trickster tale.

Now look at the books on your table. Are they folk literature, and if they are, what kind are they?