World tales kids can read and tell.

Call it what you will: stories of the fool have been around as long as people have been telling stories. Everyone has a noodlehead day, when the brain takes a leave of absence. As the stories in this collection show, knuckleheads come in all forms and shapes. These stories bring to mind the wise words of the French humorist Francois Rebelais: "If you wish to avoid seeing a fool, you must first break your mirror."

Following each story are tips for telling―especially written for children, but suitable for any age―that include suggestions for timing, intonation, gestures, and body language. There is also a map showing in what area of the world each story originated. Designed for use in primary and middle grades, this book is perfect for children to read on their own as well as those who want to learn to tell stories.

It's also a wonderful resource for adults who tell stories to children, and for teachers to use in conjunction with language arts or social studies curricula. These foolish tales are hilarious and relatable. Furthermore, this collection teaches readers the importance of caring, citizenship and fairness.