Gerald McDermott

--by Hanje Richards

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Gerald McDermott is an award-winning filmmaker, children’s book author & illustrator, anf expert on mythology. His work often combines bright colors and styles with ancient imagery. His picture books encompass folktales and cultures from all around the world.

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Some of them include:.

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Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti - In this traditional tale from West Africa, Anansi, the Spider, sets out on a long journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his six sons should he reward? The color, splendid design montage, and authentic African language rhythms forge a new direction in picture books for children. (Caldecott Honor Book; Lewis Carroll Shelf Award).

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Arrow To the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale - An expression of the universal myth of the hero-quest, this beautiful story also portrays the Indian reverence for the source of life: the Solar Fire. Vibrant full-color illustrations capture the boldness and color of Pueblo art. Also available in a Spanish language edition: Flecha al Sol. (Caldecott Medal)

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Coyote: A Trickster Tale From the American Southwest - Wherever Coyote goes, you can be sure he’ll find trouble. Now he wants to sing, dance, and fly like the crows, so he begs them to teach him how. The crows agree but soon tire of Coyote’s bragging and boasting. They decide to teach the great trickster a lesson. This time, Coyote has found real trouble!
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Raven: A Trickster Tale From the Pacific Northwest - Raven, the trickster, wants to give people the gift of light. But can he find out where Sky Chief keeps it? And if he does, will he be able to escape without being discovered? His dream seems impossible, but if anyone can find a way to bring light to the world, wise and clever Raven can! (Caldecott Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award)
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Stonecutter: A Japanese Folk Tale - Story about the consequences of a Japanese stonecutter's foolish longing for power.
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Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk: An Irish Tale - Tim O'Toole is so poor that his neighbors avoid him, fearing his bad luck will rub off on them. His fortune seems made, though, when he spies a band of the wee folk and demands a part of their treasure. Given a goose that lays golden eggs, Tim is unable to refrain from boasting to the greedy McGoons, who substitute their own goose for Tim's. The same thing happens to Tim's next gift, but a third gift, a hat that produces ten little men armed with tiny clubs, solves the problem.
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Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale From West Africa - Zomo the rabbit, a trickster from West Africa, wants wisdom. But he must accomplish three apparently impossible tasks before Sky God will give him what he wants. Is he clever enough to do as Sky God asks? He must get the scales of Big Fish, the milk of Wild Cow, and the tooth of Leopard. He does all these things and in the end the Sky God rewards him with wisdom, and warns that next time he sees his victims, he had better run fast.