One of my favorite classes in college was Mythology so this took me back to the good ol’ days.

This is a wonderful introduction to African folktales and an overall enjoyable reading experience. The illustrations were beautiful and added so much to the stories being told, they may just be my absolute favorite part of the book. I would’ve enjoyed an analysis on how these stories changed over time and when these changes occurred, but that’s a bit of research I’ll do on my own time :)

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I’ve always enjoyed reading myths and folktales. I’d heard of several of these stories but there were quite a few that were new to me. I like how Anasi’s son is able to outsmart his father since his father only thought of himself.

This book is a perfect introduction to African and African American history and mythology. It is a fantastic collection of folklores, folktales and stories about African culture and myths.

The stories, which begin with an introduction and sometimes content warning, are interesting and easy to follow. Sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful, each had a lesson to teach.

It is a candid canvas exploring the relationship between culture, history, science and how some of the things we know today came into being.

I love that the editors didn’t shy away from the exploration of the origins of the popular Peter Rabbit stories and the Ann Nancy tales.

It had beautiful and colourful illustrations which were perfect accompaniments to the stories.

I struggled with the Brer Rabbit section of the book as it was written in old vernacular style and I couldn’t understand most of the stories in that section.

Each story has a lesson to learn. This is a collection of folktales from the various African cultures. It is similar to another book I have and love but of Native American Legends.

I adored this book so much I ordered the physical copy before finishing it! I am always interested in learning more about legend and folklore from cultures around the world. I particularly like the idea of keeping, or writing down oral traditions to ensure they don’t ever die out. This collection offers a wonderful collection and African folklore.

The layout and formatting is beautiful. It’s easy to follow and a really enjoyable read. You definitely don’t loose the idea that these are tales that should be told orally or to an audience which is another thing I loved, the essence is still there.

As always thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press | Wellfleet Press and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book as an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I selected this book, Roots and Legends, because I love folktales and it seemed to be an interesting read. I loved how brief and engaging the chapters were - they keep you reading on to the next. I enjoyed the fact that the book was divided into the four subsections and the stories fit were organized within these categories. I knew some of the stories such as How the Turtle Got its Shell, but there were many that I did not know but am glad I was able to learn about through this book!

I would recommend this book to anyone, honestly. Aside from being entertaining, the stories have significant value as a learning tool - many have themes that can relate to anyone - adult or child, and they are part of the beauty of African folklore.

Roots and Legends is a collection of African folklore from Anansi tales and many of the common iterations of the tale to teach a lesson. This is an interesting and unique collection of oral history and folklore.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book of African stories and legends. I have always loved reading folklore and this was one the most enlightening and beautiful book.

I thought this was a wonderful anthology of African folklore. I was new to the subject matter, but I found it easy to follow and would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in different cultures and the mythology that shapes those cultures. The illustrations were beautiful as well. Well done!

Love the opportunity to learn more about some of the stories of my ancestry that Ive known for a while, and others that I've never heard before. This is absolutely a book I will purchase for my shelf and cherish for years to come.

I’ve long been a fan of fairy tales and fables — Grimm, Anderson’s, Aesop — and probably always will be. It’s nice to find a book that has some of that same charm, those same moral and funny stories about foolish characters, clever characters, magic and mischief but from an entirely different group of cultures. There are similarities as well as differences, of course, but the spirit is still the same.

These stories feel like they’re meant to be told to an audience, with simple plots that leave room for a storyteller to add embellishments. I can just imagine reading some of these to a group of kids. Now, because these are older stories, there’s a great deal of misogyny; women being traded like property, women having no agency, and it’s something to keep an eye on.

The editors of this collection put thought into what they were curating, and there is an effort to add context to the arrangement and selection of the stories accompanied by some vibrant collage art.

If you’re a fan of story collections, this one is a worthwhile addition to your collection, and would be great to read with or to children. — regardless of ancestry. Honestly, I enjoyed every story (though Why Men and Women Don’t Have Tails Like Cows” is probably my favorite.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for granting me an ARC!

4.5 stars
I found this book really interesting. I thought that the way the book was set out and structured worked really well. I really enjoyed the informative paragraph before every story that explored the roots of each tale and gave it context that helped in understanding what to take out of each story.

This book is a collection of short stories, legends, fables, and folklore from African culture. It begins with a fairly lengthy introduction that delves into the culture, folklore, and history, explaining how these elements influence the stories within the book and how tales evolve and adapt over time.

The stories in the book are organised into different sections, including "Bearing Witness," "People with Unusual Powers," and "Why Things Are the Way They Are." Notable stories featured include "Anansi and Nothing," "Ohia and the Thieving Deer," and "Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes." Each story also includes an introduction that provides context and explains its significance.

One disappointment I had was that the book wasn’t fully illustrated. While there was some artwork for each section and occasional small illustrations, it wasn’t enough to truly deem the book illustrated. Additionally, I found it challenging to read certain stories, particularly the ones featuring Brer Rabbit, as they were written entirely in slang, which felt like a different language altogether.

However, I enjoyed exploring stories from different cultures, and the book appeared to be well-researched.

Interesting, funny and fascinating folktales, but the introductions to the stories were a bit disconnected and not that much informative.

Book Review: Roots and Legends: Folktales from African Culture

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently picked up Roots and Legends: Folktales from African Culture edited by the folks at Wellfleet Press, and I have to say, it was quite the enlightening experience! As someone who was relatively unfamiliar with African folklore, this book opened up a whole new world of storytelling that I never knew existed.

This beautifully illustrated collection features over 50 folktales that have been passed down through generations, showcasing the richness of African culture and the power of oral tradition. The stories cover a range of themes—from whimsical tales explaining why spiders seem to settle in the corners of ceilings, to profound lessons about the relationships between the sun, moon, and earth. The book is thoughtfully divided into four sections, each highlighting different aspects of life and wisdom through engaging narratives.

One of the things that struck me most about Roots and Legends is how accessible it is. Each story is captivating enough to pull you in while also teaching valuable lessons about morality, nature, and community. I found myself completely absorbed in tales like "How the Tortoise Got Its Shell" and "Brer Rabbit and the Gold Mine." The storytelling truly showcases the art of oral tradition—these aren't just stories; they are vessels of history and culture.

And let me not forget to mention the illustrations! They’re absolutely stunning and complement the tales perfectly. They burst with color and creativity, making the reading experience even more delightful. The book feels like a treasure trove that would make for a wonderful addition to any family’s collection, especially for those looking to pass down African heritage through storytelling.

Overall, I found Roots and Legends to be a fantastic introduction to African folklore. It's simple to pick up and put down, making it ideal for leisurely reading or sharing tales with family and friends.. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone curious about cultural myths or looking to broaden their understanding of global storytelling traditions. I'd give it a solid four stars for its engaging content and gorgeous presentation. If you're looking for a way to enrich your library with diverse narratives, this is a must-have!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

All I can say is WOW. These stories were so rich and captivating. I love reading folktales from different cultures, it's always so eye opening to read from someone else's perspective, stories handed down in other countries. These were beautiful and I'd recommend everybody reading these.

"Roots and Legends" is a great collection of African and African American folktales that celebrates oral storytelling traditions. The book features diverse stories exploring themes like animal tales, cultural wisdom, and spiritual narratives. What you get is a rich compilation of folklore from African culture, beautiful illustrations, stories ranging from familiar tales like Brer Rabbit and Anansi to some lesser-known narratives that are accessible to both adults and children.

Highly recommended for all ages.

A well curated book of folklore - I enjoyed reading it and believe it will be well received by fans of this genre and those looking to learn more about African folktales. It is beautifully presented, but I feel that it is quite brief and narrow in focus. All in all, a good read.

I think fans of folklore will enjoy this one. The illustrations are colorful and there’s context given before each tale. The stories are divided into sections: Why Things Are The Way They Are, Morals Taught Through Animal Tales, Bearing Witness, and People With Unusual Powers. Some of the stories told in dialect may be challenging for the casual reader but it’s not too much. I imagine it would be really enjoyable to listen to them in an audiobook version.

4.5*

This was a fantastic collection of African folk tales and mythology that I think will appeal to anyone who is keen to learn more about origin stories and cultural myths. This is a book that is easy to dip in and out of and demonstrates the power of oral storytelling.

This is one that I want to get a physical copy of as the stories are wonderful and the accompanying illustrations are also beautiful. A fantastic collection that is such a wonderful balance of art of storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press | Wellfleet Press
for a digital review copy of "Roots and Legends: Folktales from African Culture" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.