American Tall Tales - by Mary Pope Osborne (Hardcover)

About the Book

Upstarts like Davy Crockett, giants like Paul Bunyan, and gentle souls like Johnny Appleseed are among the nine "tall" heroes featured in this exuberant, wildly exaggerated, and witty collection of traditional American folk tales. Full-color illustrations.

Book Synopsis

The perfect addition to every family's home library and just right for sharing aloud, American Tall Tales introduces readers to America's first folk heroes in nine wildly exaggerated and downright funny stories.

Here are Paul Bunyan, that king-sized lumberjack who could fell "ten white pines with a single swing"; John Henry, with his mighty hammer; Mose, old New York's biggest, bravest fireman; Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, who could "outgrin, outsnort, outrun, outlift, outsneeze, outsleep, outlie any varmint"; and other uniquely American characters, together in one superb collection.

In the tradition of the original nineteenth-century storytellers, Mary Pope Osborne compiles, edits, and adds her own two cents' worth--and also supplies fascinating historical headnotes. Michael McCurdy's robust colored wood engravings recall an earlier time, perfectly capturing all the vitality of the men and women who carved a new country out of the North American wilderness.

Review Quotes

"McCurdy's intricate wood engravings set these larger-than-life folk on majestic landscapes brimming with energy, rich with wildlife and local color. The author's thoughtful introduction and notes round out this superlative offering."--(starred) School Library Journal.

About the Author

Mary Pope Osborne is the award-winning author of over sixty books for children. Her works include One World, Many Religions; New York's Bravest; Tales from the Odyssey; Adaline Falling Star; and the Magic Tree House series, a New York Times number one bestselling children's book series that has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Ms. Osborne lives in northwestern Connecticut with her husband, Will.

Michael McCurdy is a distinguished illustrator whose wood engravings and drawings have enhanced many books for both adults and children. From 1968 to 1985, he owned Penmaen Press Books, where he produced beautiful small-press first editions by leading American and European writers and poets. He wrote and illustrated An Algonquin Year: The Year According to the Full Moon and edited and illustrated Escape from Slavery: The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in His Own Words. He lives with his wife, Deborah, in Massachusetts.