Review: HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET, Module 3, Traditional Tales

Philip, Neil. 2003. HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN # 0618194630

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet is a collection of Mexican Folktales. This book begins with an informative introduction which gives the reader a quick guide and background information on these folktales. The tales themselves are often simple and quick. They are full of a variety of characters, princesses, sailors, common folk, and witches. Cleverness, goodness, and bravery are rewarded time and time again, often with fortune and marriage. Evil characters are frequently punished, sometimes severely such as the witch whom was burned up in THE SEVEN OXEN but at other times they are forgiven such as the hunters in THE BRAVE WIDOW. Many of the tales have religions overtones which demonstrate the importance of religion in Mexican culture. Each story is enhanced by at least one bright and colorful multi scene illustration. These illustrations depict several scenes from each story. Their beauty adds a bit of magical fiesta to each tale.