With the increasing population of Mexican Americans in the United States, it is becoming more important for those in the fields of education and psychology to understand cultural differences when working with this population. Storytelling has been common cultural source of entertainment, solace, and education since the beginning of recorded history. This study has attempted to discover the experiences of Mexican American preadolescents as they understand the differences between traditional Mexican stories and traditional Anglo American stories. The findings show that psychologists and others may utilize more culturally appropriate stories (including thematic and plot elements of fear, spirituality, and traditional Mexican cultural beliefs) when working with Mexican American children in order to attain specified goals with literacy and mental health.