School Folklore Importance

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Eileen Uchima LIS 685 October 8, 2007 The Importance of Folklore to School Libraries It has recently been brought to my attention that folklore is in danger of being eliminated from public school libraries in Hawaii. I am writing to express my strong objection to this and to provide a rationale for the importance of folklore in the education and cultural enrichment of children. Folktales nourish the mind and enliven the soul. The folklore section of the library consists of traditional stories which have been written down from orally transmitted sources and widely disseminated so they can be shared by people of all nationalities and races. In ancient and pre-literate cultures, stories provided an important means for…show more content…
Throughout the world, people share a common need for love, hope, and security and possess feelings of happiness, anger, pride, and loneliness. These basic needs and the ways humans of all cultures deal with them are reflected in folktales. In our diverse and multicultural world, there is an increasing need for people to overcome their differences and be able to live and work together in harmony. An important function of folklore is in helping people to find meaning in life. Since many children are no longer exposed to traditional stories and folklore through people in their family, they grow up without receiving the benefit of these important life lessons. Through traditional literature which stimulates the imagination, children are encouraged to assimilate important moral, social, and psychological lessons. Stories which depict the good and bad in human nature and provide examples of good overcoming evil, give children an example to emulate and a sense of hope for the future when difficulties arise. In the simple nursery story of the “Little Red Hen,” children are taught that hard work is rewarded and idleness punished. In the tales of the hero’s journey, such as “The Firebird,” “Princess on the Glass Hill,” and “Snow White”, the child learns that…show more content…
Folktales contribute many words and phrases to American speech and literature that have been lost to people who grows up without a familiarity with folk literature. Examples of this can be found in the life of Billy the Kid, a historical figure of the American Old West, who has influenced the work of numerous writers, artists, musicians, and dancers. Exposure to legends of the American Old West can help children gain an understanding of the origin for expressions and icons associated with cowboy culture still evident in America
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