North American folklore

Presents an introduction to children's folklore in North America, looking at why children like traditions, and discussing lessons of the past, play, the development of social skills, rights and rebellion, coping with the adult world, and the link between generations.

Presents an introduction to North American folk speech, examining culturally and geographically derived speech patterns, dialects, vocabulary, syntax, and grammar.

Examines a variety of North American folk stories, customs, and songs that are related to particular foods.

Presents an introduction to the folk games of North America, discussing the meaning of games and their usefulness as a communication device, and looking at parlor games, children's games, sports, and the role of animals in games.

Presents an introduction to the folk customs of North America, examining stories and traditions related to love and marriage, pregnancy and birth, death and the afterlife, weather lore, luck, and predictions for the future.

Examines a variety of North American stories, customs, rhymes, and other expressions of folklore associated with families.

Examines urban legends, cyberlore, stories of aliens and the supernatural, and other expressions of contemporary North American folklore, and discusses the purpose and meaning of such tales.