I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both! I would have DEVOURED this as a kid. I really loved how comprehensive it was- I could tell that the author poured so much love into this book. Some of the stories started to blend together at points, but I think that’s par for the course when there are just so many! I also loved the notes on sounds and names at the end.

This is the most comprehensive collection of folktales ever published in English about Kancil, the Southeast Asian mousedeer or chevrotain. Such a small animal, but a big Trickster! He is extremely cunning and brave enough to cope with the most fearful predators, and his wisdom made him a king. Sometimes he is a merry troublemaker, in other tales, cruel and vicious. As the Judge of the Jungle he maintains peace and justice, other times he gets into trouble for his foolishness. This volume is full of extraordinary stories worthy of his extraordinary being. Some of them have a simpler folktale-like plot, others focus on some characteristic (animal or human traits) or illustrate games people play. The larger and more dangerous animals are usually portrayed with bad qualities (e.g. the Elephant is conceited, the Bear is greedy, the Rhino is in blind fury, the Tiger is impetuous), while the smaller ones are cunning, resourceful and even wise. The Monkey is between the two: sometimes misguided, sometimes mischievous. Crocodile is basically not the sharpest, but he compensate it with strength - and although he didn't go very far with it, he tried to be resourceful. I also liked the inclusion of the mysterious demon-like monster (raksa) that all the animals feared. It was interesting that some of the animals considered it a superstition. In one tale he actually appeared, in the other he was only Kancil in disguise. Teresa Fuller's explanatory notes helped me to see through the various indigenous phrases and words. Thanks to the author and Netgalley, I read an advanced reading copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so happy this book exists. I am a huge fan of Mouse Deer tales and have a bunch in my repertoire, but I am also always on the hunt for more. Fuller's collection is a master class of gathering and retelling these stories. There are notes, details, bilingual elements, zoological and botanical commentary, and lots and lots of great descriptions and humor. Kancil/Pelandok really comes alive in every story. (Note: these are trickster tales, so Mouse Deer is not equally nice or kind in every story. Pre-read the tales if you want to share some with children.) I especially enjoyed how Fuller combined, with a storyteller's flair, the traditional narratives with realistic depictions of life in the rainforest. The animals talk, play, and go to war, but at the same time they are still animals. And Mouse Deer is still equal parts cute, clever, annoying, quick, brave, wily, shady, and unique. Mouse Deer has been a staple in many storytellers' repertoire for a long time. This book is definitely going to be THE go-to resource from now on.