Pleasant DeSpain

Books by This Author

Dancing Turtle: A Folk Tale from Brazil

Illustrated by: David Boston
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Turtle loves to dance and play the flute. But her exuberance puts her at risk when her music attracts the attention of a hunter who brings her home for turtle stew. After she is caught, her only hope for escape is the hunter's children — and her own wit. This folktale, first told by the indigenous people of Brazil, is now told throughout Latin America.

The Emerald Lizard: Fifteen Latin American Tales to Tell

Painting of green lizard
Language: Spanish, Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Latin America today presents a complex tapestry of native, Spanish, European, and African influences. For several decades, Pleasant DeSpain has explored Latin America – its landscapes, customs, cultures, and especially, its stories. Here he presents his finely-honed retellings of traditional folktales, myths, and legends from a broad array of Latin American cultures: Guatemala, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Chile.