Books published by publisher August House

If you have never ridden a mule along a 48-inch wide trail whose ledge drops off, in places, 700 feet to the Colorado River, straight down, you may have difficulty picturing the temporary insanity that leads otherwise responsible adults to sign away the remainder of their natural life expectancy just for the chance to see the Grand Canyon's natural beauty close-up. Listening to Donald Davis, you won't have any trouble visualizing it: the gleeful anticipation, the encounter with the psyche of "your own, personal mule", and the first-hand experience of a natural wonder. Davis interweaves his humor around vivid details of perhaps the most remarkable experience offered by an American national park. For Ages 10 to Adult

Winner of the Storytelling World Honor AwardThis humorous folktale from Vietnam, retold by Rob Cleveland, tells the story of Tiger, who was once the proudest animal of the jungle. He was even prouder than the peacock. Of course what Tiger was most proud of was his beautiful golden coat. But unfortunately for Tiger, he did not have wisdom and was jealous that only Man seemed to possess it. So Tiger approached Man and demanded that he give Tiger his wisdom. Man then uses his wisdom to outsmart Tiger when he finds himself tied to a tree with a rope. While trying to escape, Tiger burns his coat on the rope, leaving permanent stripes on his beautiful golden coat. This wisdom story will teach readers the importance of courage, caring and resourcefulness. This award-winning story is a "pourquoi" tale from Vietnam. Pourquoi tales are origin stories that explain why an animal or plant looks or acts the way it does. This is one of many stories told across Asia that deal with the origin of the tiger's stripes. Rob Cleveland is storyteller-in-residence at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia and is the author of several Story Cove books.

If you're looking for the scariest stories you can get your ears on, your search is over. Accomplished storyteller Roberta Simpson Brown unfolds her thrilling stories for listeners of all ages. Adapted from her own book The Walking Trees, Brown specializes in ghost stories and tales of terror and has traveled the country sharing her imagination. For Ages 12 and Up

Everybody loves scary stories, and nobody loves them more than children. Storytellers Richard and Judy Dockrey Young gathered these stories from the most discerning of critics: the children themselves. These are the tales kids tell most often and most often ask to be told. The stories in this multicultural collection come from the Ozark Mountains and the desert Southwest, from Native Americans and Hawaiians, and from American immigrants from such faraway places as Japan and Laos. The 14 favorites in this collection for younger children include: "The Red Velvet Ribbon", "Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary", "The Changelings", and "Stop the Coffin!" For Grades K-3

If you're looking for the scariest stories you can get your ears on, your search is over. Accomplished storyteller Roberta Simpson Brown unfolds her thrilling stories for listeners of all ages. Adapted from her own book The Walking Trees, Brown specializes in ghost stories and tales of terror and has traveled the country sharing her imagination. For All Ages.

Don't just sit and watch, join the parade!Inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the west African forest, avid storyteller and performer, Dylan Pritchett weaves a tale that reveals the music we all have inside us. In the beginning, each animal make his own sound―everyone, that is, except the frogs, who seem more comfortable listening than performing. But when Elephant stumbles on a log, he accidentally creates an intriguing, unfamiliar sound that engages everyone's attention. What follows might be called the first jam session, with each animal contributing his or her unique sound to the rhythm to create an engaging, harmonious, sweet sound – the first music. Erin Bennett Banks' bold and vibrant oil paintings capture not only the density of the African forest and the personalities of its inhabitants but also bring this cumulative tale to a satisfying crescendo. These singing animals create a wonderful harmony as well as teach readers the importance of citizenship, resourcefulness and sharing.August House Publishers also offers an animated version of The First Music as well as free lesson plans! Visit

The warmth of the Christmas season is condensed into this single collection that will rekindle your Christmas memories. Who doesn't remember Christmas at Grandma's? The living room aglow with family and friends, the kitchen like a factory of sweet aromas, the relatives everywhere! Donald Davis captures the spirit of Christmas as seen through the eyes of a child in these stories: "Christmas in Sulpher Springs", "The Children's Christmas Party", "The Year My Brother Almost Died", and "The Red Scooters."

If you've ever been in the car while a loved one was learning to drive, then think of this as cheap therapy! Learning to drive has occasioned emotions ranging from reasonable caution to unbridled terror. Learning under the watchful eye of one's spouse is an added challenge. Undertaking the task with anxious children in the backseat can only heighten the sensory richness of the moment. Davis recalls his mother's driving lessons through the objective eye of a patient and restrained child, in contrast with his little brother, whose oft-shouted refrain, "You're going to kill us all!" rings in memory.

Everyone makes mistakes, but it is the lessons we learn that are important. What better a character to introduce children to Hindu mythology than Ganesha, the god of new beginnings? Often impulsive, forever generous, the elephant-headed god with the fat belly makes mistakes but learns from them. He fills the world around him with laughter. These stories deliver up a pantheon of Hindu deities and support such concepts as nonviolence, respect for life, and the folly of vanity. This collection of Hindu folktales for middle readers features stories about the Hindu god, Ganesha, who is easily recognized because of his elephant head. Author, Uma Krishnaswami introduces the stories by recalling her own introduction to Ganesha and goes on to offer a mythological context for the tales. Included among these classic stories are "Ganesha's Head", "The Broken Tusk", and "Why Ganesha Never Married". Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition. The simple pen-and-ink illustrations support the themes and a helpful pronunciation guide and glossary are also included.

From the heart of the Appalachian Mountains come these folktales and folk rhymes for young children. In this recording of timeless children's tales, Davis, one of our most gifted storytellers, weaves for a new generation the same tales his grandmother told him as he sat in her lap so many years ago. As the oral tradition takes root in the hearts of each new generation of children, compelling folk rhymes and irrepressible folk stories such as these play a role in the transmission of our cultural wisdom: be wary of strangers, honor your elders, work hard, but play hard, too. Donald Davis has a gift for story; these stories have a gift for your child. For Ages Three to Seven