Old-Time Animal Tales brings together 18 traditional animal stories selected from Carolyn Sherwin Bailey’s 1918 collection Once Upon a Time Animal Stories. The collection includes stories Bailey specifically identified as coming from the folklore of African Americans in the American South, including Mr. Elephant and Mr. Frog, Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter, Little Bear, and Brother Wolf and the Rock. Bailey also identified American Indian animal myths including How the Rabbit Tried to Coast, How the Squirrel Got Wings, and The Talking Grass.

Alongside these are other traditional animal tales featuring clever rabbits, curious bears, mischievous cats, foxes, wolves, squirrels, and chipmunks. These old-time stories offer children an entertaining introduction to traditional storytelling while giving families, educators, and libraries an opportunity to explore the cultural history behind American children’s folklore. Stories include:

1. Mr. Elephant and Mr. Frog
2. Brother Wolf and the Rock
3. How the Fox Played Herdsman
4. Little Bear
5. The Bear Who Lost His Supper
6. Why the Bear Has a Stumpy Tail
7. Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter
8. The Rabbit Who Was Afraid
9. Why the Field Mouse Is Little
10. How the Squirrel Got Wings
11. The Talking Grass
12. How the Rabbit Tried to Coast
13. How Maple Sugar Came
14. How the First Mayflowers Came
15. How the First Bears Came
16. The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings
17. The Chipmunk Who Chattered Too Much
18. The Greedy Cat