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135 pp.
| Cinco
| January, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-947627-00-0$19.95
|
PaperISBN 978-1-947627-01-7$12.95 New ed. (1994)
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Vicki Trego Hill.
American Southwest storyteller Hayes retells ten folktales (five new and five from the original 1994 edition) with straightforward, often funny text in both English and Spanish. In these tales, women's cunning saves the day from people with unsavory intentions or unfortunate habits. Soft, realistic black-and-white illustrations, some new and some reused from the previous edition, open the stories. Back matter includes notes about the origins of each tale.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2019
74 pp.
| Tara
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-93-83145-46-1$29.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jagdish Chitara.
An unusual fusion of the African American Brer Rabbit tales with Indian folk art. Told by performance poet Flowers using elements of Black Vernacular English, the stories are illustrated in striking black, white, and red in the Mata-Ni-Pachedi tradition of textile art from Gujarat. Includes a CD of music and film that, like the handsome book, may be of greatest interest to adult folklore enthusiasts.
167 pp.
| Workman
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7611-8461-4$14.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Tom Mead.
Supposed true stories of cryptids teach young readers to survive the North American wilderness. The twenty short tales of fearsome creatures inspired by American folklore read like the guidebook of an eccentric monster hunter. Johnson's snarky humor lightens the weird and genuinely scary stories; readers of all ages will cower at Mead's creepy glow-in-the-dark illustrations. An appendix contains "facts" about each creature.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-6367-0$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
C. B. Canga.
Hals Halson, bent on proving himself as the greatest lumberjack, strides into camp. Lonely Paul Bunyan would rather start a friendship than a competition, but he's forced to best Hals before the latter will bury the hatchet. The story, aptly hyperbolic, is a little weak on plot. Digital-looking cartoon illustrations using woodlike textures and sharp angles reflect the characters' shared skills.
387 pp.
| Random
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-85568-9$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-95568-6$20.99
(3)
4-6
Clockwork Dark series.
In this installment, set at the Chicago World's Fair, the characters seek to destroy the Magog and his evil machine. As each person overcomes his or her own "black clockworks," they build the strength and resolve to defeat the villain together. Bemis continues to unite Southern folklore and steampunk fantasy as readers are carried along on a journey of suspense and intrigue.
72 pp.
| Sterling
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4027-7322-8$12.95
(4)
K-3
The fourteen tales in this book have been adapted from versions published in the early part of the twentieth century. Subjects include Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett, the Tar Man, and Sweet Betsy from Pike. The retellings are cursory, with the results being a little flat. Palazzo's pastoral sketchlike illustrations recommend the volume.
387 pp.
| Random
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-85566-5$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-95566-2$19.99
(3)
4-6
Clockwork Dark series.
This sequel to The Nine Pound Hammer continues the story of Ray, a Rambler; his sister Sally, a seer; and siren Jolie. They're searching for the Wolf Tree--source of the human spirit and key to destroying the Darkness overtaking the American Great Plains. Interweaving American tall tale, Native American folklore, and elements of steampunk, Bemis presents another engaging story of spirituality and intrigue.
40 pp.
| Atheneum
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-2816-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Marjorie Priceman.
Griffin describes how in 1775 a sixteen-year-old North Carolina horsewoman took the ride of her life to warn of the Redcoats' approach. Priceman's expressively angular, bold-hued gouache and ink paintings accentuate the urgency of Betsy's mission. An author's note tells more about the folkloric figure: "It cannot be proved that Betsy Dowdy really existed, but her legend lives on."
32 pp.
| Holiday
| March, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-1836-7$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Hillenbrand.
A backwoods peddler barters for a wedding dress for his daughter. Although the sequence of trades seems unnecessarily random, and the ending is adult (implying a reluctance on the bridegroom's part not earlier evident), the author's language is lively and engaging, and the refrain ("And one fine trade it is!") should hold readers' interest. Warm, cheerful watercolors add appeal and humor.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-1837-4$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Megan Lloyd.
Davy Crockett's "wildcat" dance moves (thanks to a thornbush burr in his derriere) threaten to upstage the spring frolic honoree, Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind. The "angeliferous" Sally resorts to sabotage (spilling butter, pickles, and other items), but Davy's nonstop dancing (and cooking!) finally impresses her. Lloyd's pine-needle-bordered oil paintings play up the humor and hyperbole in Miller's tall tale. Bib.
360 pp.
| Random
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-85564-1$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-95564-8$19.99
(3)
4-6
Clockwork Dark series.
Ray, an orphan, winds up on a train peopled with traveling medicine show performers. He quickly learns the show is just cover; they're all determined to destroy the evil Gog. What distinguishes this fast-paced adventure is the nineteenth-century rural American setting, where both characters and circumstances are deeply influenced by regional folklore and the "hoodoo" traditions of the Deep South.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
John Kanzler.
Storyteller MacDonald offers an enjoyable version of this cumulative tale, in which an old woman can't return to her little boy because her pig refuses to cross a bridge on the way home from the market. Two brief songs (music is included) encourage listener participation. Lively illustrations provide humorous portrayals of the story's stubborn animal characters.
254 pp.
| NYRB
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59017-224-7$18.95 Reissue (1937, Whitman)
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Laura Bannon.
This Newbery Honor Book includes nineteen tall tales that detail the exploits of super-cowboy Pecos Bill in the American West. The stories were originally told at round-ups and around campfires, and Bowman's writing exemplifies the gusto and broad humor of cowboy life. Strong-lined black-and-white drawings illustrate the tales.
48 pp.
| Millbrook
| August, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-886-3$23.93
(3)
K-3
On My Own Folklore series.
Illustrated by
Lisa Carlson.
These entertaining books adapt for young readers the oft-told tales of larger-than-life North American folk heroes. The titles' humor, richly colored (although sometimes muddy) illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read. A general discussion of folklore introduces each title, providing examples and definitions; Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill include age-appropriate further reading and websites. Review covers these On My Own Folklore titles: Calamity Jane, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill.
48 pp.
| Millbrook
| August, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-887-1$23.93
(3)
K-3
On My Own Folklore series.
Illustrated by
Mark Oldroyd.
These entertaining books adapt for young readers the oft-told tales of larger-than-life North American folk heroes. The titles' humor, richly colored (although sometimes muddy) illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read. A general discussion of folklore introduces each title, providing examples and definitions; Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill include age-appropriate further reading and websites. Review covers these On My Own Folklore titles: Calamity Jane, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill.
48 pp.
| Millbrook
| August, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-888-X$23.93
(3)
K-3
On My Own Folklore series.
Illustrated by
Craig Orback.
These entertaining books adapt for young readers the oft-told tales of larger-than-life North American folk heroes. The titles' humor, richly colored (although sometimes muddy) illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read. A general discussion of folklore introduces each title, providing examples and definitions; Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill include age-appropriate further reading and websites. Review covers these On My Own Folklore titles: Calamity Jane, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill.
48 pp.
| Millbrook
| August, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-889-8$23.93
(3)
K-3
On My Own Folklore series.
Illustrated by
Paul Tong.
These entertaining books adapt for young readers the oft-told tales of larger-than-life North American folk heroes. The titles' humor, richly colored (although sometimes muddy) illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read. A general discussion of folklore introduces each title, providing examples and definitions; Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill include age-appropriate further reading and websites. Review covers these On My Own Folklore titles: Calamity Jane, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill.
40 pp.
| Farrar/Kroupa
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-374-34452-3$16.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Leonid Gore.
Colonel Lightfoot's dancing is delightful, but a "waggy, braggy tongue" lessens his appeal. When the devil challenges him to dance for a patch of his own land, Lightfoot looks likely to lose until he realizes that the devil's weakness, like his own, is pride. Gore's illustrations evoke courtly eighteenth-century Virginia. A note cites several sources for this witty and nimbly paced traditional tale.
Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2006
48 pp.
| Harcourt
| November, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-15-205701-3$16.00
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Janet Stevens.
Again, the endearing possum and his human aunt and mama re-enact a well-known tale. A huge snapping turtle gulps down successive characters carrying sody sallyraytus (baking soda) home from the store so that Mama can make biscuits for Epossumondas's birthday party. Salley's narration is ripe for the telling and Stevens's art is right in the comic spirit of things.
Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2006
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| January, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-689-84640-1$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Terry Widener.
Lyons calls this a "souped-up version" of a Zora Neale Hurston story about a master auto mechanic who sells his flying motorcar to God--the streamlined, skewed illustrations suit both the outrageous tale and the 1930s snappy modernism. But in expanding the story, Lyons muddles the story line. The spirit, if not the story, is intact.
Reviewer:
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2005
35 reviews
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