Little White Dog
Region: Baltic countries, Latvia
Author: Adaptation of folktale by Frances Jenkins Olcott
Original Language: German
Translator: Translated by the author
Genre: Folktales; Fairytales
Descriptors: animals, magic, maidens, princes
Age: 7+ years old
Review
The Latvian folk tale “Little White Dog” is a charming, magical tale of a beautiful maiden who marries a prince disguised as a dog. The maiden is treated harshly by the cruel woman she lives with, forced to do endless household tasks to keep the woman happy. When met with an impossible task to get water from the well “without wetting the bucket,” the girl is greeted by a little white dog that magically appears to help her. All the dog asks for in return is her hand in marriage. She agrees but is later arranged to marry a man of the wicked woman’s choosing. The little white dog crashes the wedding to remind the maiden of her promise with a catchy rhyme and then transforms into a handsome prince. This short story comes from the collection Wonder Tales from Baltic Wizards: Pagan Mythology, Shamanism, and Magic from Finland, Lapland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania written by Frances Jenkins Olcott. The selection of stories come from English and German sources and have been literally translated, which can feel a little awkward at times when read in English. Wonder Tales from Baltic Wizards hosts 41 stories of East Baltic folklore about magic, wizards, witches, and more! Children ages 7 and up will be delighted by these magical tales.
More About This Book
Reviewed: e-book by Kalevala Books (2010). ISBN: 9781880954164, 1880954168. 168 p.
Notes: From the collection Wonder Tales from Baltic Wizards: Pagan Mythology, Shamanism, and Magic from Finland, Lapland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This book does not have any illustrations.
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19709719-wonder-tales-from-baltic-wizards
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Tales-Baltic-Wizards-Mythology/dp/1880954168
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-tales-from-baltic-wizards-frances-jenkins-olcott/1100863411
Reviewed by: Leah Byrnes