The Stories Julian Tells

The Stories Julian Tells

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88  ·  rating details  ·  248 ratings  ·  52 reviews
Julian is a quick fibber and a wishful thinker. And he is great at telling stories. He can make people—especially his younger brother, Huey—believe just about anything. Like the story about the cats that come in the mail. Or the fig leaves that make you grow tall if you eat them off the tree. But some stories can lead to a heap of trouble, and that's exactly where Julian a...more
ebook, 80 pages
Published September 28th 2011 by Random House Books for Young Readers (first published 1981)
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Jessica Sheaffer
The Stories Julian Tells, is a compilation of six short stories written by Ann Cameron. The stories are told from the perspective of a young boy named Julian, whose mischief and imagination lead him to experience tender lessons about life. The book does not contain many illustrations. Ann Cameron uses whimsical similes like, “It (the pudding) will taste like a whole raft of lemons...like a night on the sea,” to paint vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The Stories Julian Tells, features themes...more
Barb Middleton
This book has “disappeared” twice in my four years as librarian at this school. That’s unusual in itself, but when the illustration on the cover is ugly and it still “disappears” then I know I have to read it.

The Stories Julian Tells, by Ann Cameron, is 20 years old and while it has a forgettable cover, it is a gem inside with terrific writing, characterizations, and plot.

Julian and his younger brother, Huey, get in trouble with their dad when they eat most of the pudding the three have made for...more
Tom
2nd-4th Grade
Ann Cameron weaves six stories into this begining chapter book with the main charecter of Julian. He and his brother Huey are involved in adventures that can relate to many children. When they eat all of their Fathers lemon pudding and just know that they will be severly punished, their Fathers' only punishment is to make a new batch and the compassion that he has for them knowing they just could not resist eating that pudding is charming. The imagination that Julian has and the way...more
Karla
Transitional

I think this book is a great one for beginning readers. The language is simple and straightforward, but the stories are entertaining. The topics found in the books are ones that any boy could encounter. The first story found is one about the father making a pudding for the mother. Both of the boys do what any boy would and they sneak fingerfulls of the pudding. There is a simple lesson taught about following directions when the father makes the boys make another pudding (which is har...more
Jacqui Robbins
I read this aloud to my daughter today and was reminded of how fantastic it is. We both laughed out loud, the writing is concise and poetic on a level kids can appreciate, and the ending is just so satisfying. It always makes me want pudding like a night on the sea.
Andrea
Julian and his little brother Huey are full of imagination that sometimes gets them into tight spots with their parents, but kids and adults will admire the courage with which they explore new ideas and experiences. This series is one of few gentle, positive portrayals of growing up black in America. The parents are individual characters with humor and imagination themselves. Any family would enjoy this series, which is targeted for seven to 12 year olds, but families of color (like mine) will e...more
Jean Ann
Stories that Julian Tells, beautifully written by Anne Cameron, introduces us to Julian and his loving family. Julian’s vivid imagination takes the reader on several adventures. Julian, for example, tells the story of how his father ‘punishes’ him for eating his mother’s lemon pudding, how his very strange tooth earns him some cash, and finally, how he longs for Gloria to be his best friend. Told from Julian’s point of view, readers will enjoy his take on the world and will gladly go along for t...more
Monica
The references to beatings and whippings (chapter 1) would have been more accepted years ago. It did make me uncomfortable, but I knew the outcome was not the harsh one suggested. I wasn't sure my 6-year-old even knew the meaning of the words. I discovered that he did and he was also predicting the play on words. All chapters produced giggles from my 9 and 6-year olds. Julian and little brother Huey are cleverly portrayed--likable and relatable.
Sarah
"My father is a big man with wild black hair. When he laughs, the sun laughs in the window-panes. When he thinks, you can almost see his thoughts sitting on all the tables and chairs. When he is angry, me and my little brother Huey shiver to the bottom of our shoes.

'What kind of pudding will you make?' Huey said.

'A wonderful pudding,' my father said. 'It will taste like a whole raft of lemons. It will taste like a night on the sea.'"
Goge (BARRONS) le Moning Maniac,
A Pudding Like a Night on the Sea

DAD: “I’m going to make something special for your mother,” my father said.
JULIAN: “What are you going to make?” I said.
DAD “A pudding,” he said.
HUEY“What kind of pudding will you make?”
DAD: “A wonderful pudding. It will taste like a whole raft of lemons. It will taste like a night on the sea.”
Mr. Woodnal
This is another cute book where the young protagonist makes assumptions about the world, is corrected, and learns important lessons along the way. The benefit is that the main character comes from an African American family and provides a perspective that shows kids (especially white ones) that families are families regardless of their color.
Susan  Thompson
A wonderful beginning chapter book that I read aloud to the boys! I like that the family is African American, I like that Julian's new best friend is a girl, the dad in the story likes to cook. It kept the boys attention and was well written. I enjoyed it too!
Kirei
My son really liked this book. It is about a boy named Julian who has a little brother name Huey and a makes a friend named Gloria. He has a fig tree, and coincidentally we ate figs today! YUM

I wish it were longer. It is a fast read.
Diane Strait
Ann Cameron has developed a terrific early reader series that features Julian and his younger brother Huey. The witty stories and adventures they share with each other provide a humorous read as well as reveal a loving sibling relationship.
Anja Manning
This is an excellent easy reader chapter book. Julian tells stories of basic life events, including cooking, gardening, a wobbly tooth etc. These always have an unusual twist but use common vocabulary and situations.
Rachel
I was surprised by this book. Though the stories are simple, they are beautiful. The vignettes all tie together to tell a story of family, curiosity, and truth. I look forward to using this book with my students.
Marilyn
Fun stories--beating the eggs and whipping the cream and eating fig tree leaves and caveman teeth and wishes in kite strings. I think I liked the stories in the sequel a little better.
Erin
It was so fun to get to share this book with my 5-year-old! This has been one of my favorite read-alouds for many years and my classes always enjoy it. Bree certainly did, too!
Cheryl
I like to read the pudding story and the amazing teeth story. Ann Cameron knows how to tell a story about something as everyday as making pudding. The word play is great too.
Colin Fane
This is a fun book to read to yourself or as a read aloud. The pictures add great visuals to the story about the adventures Julian has with his father and brother.
Sophie
This book was amazing!!!!
My favorite story was My starnge teeth.
This book has alot of details. I like all the stories.
Libby
I listened to this book being read out loud to me when I was in third grade. The stories that he tells are very funny.
Jean Anthis
Great book for little children to read. Even as an adult it I think of this book and it brings joy to me
Zaiter
It was so wierd that Julian didn't know that his plant was growing because he was eating the leaves.
Emily
a really random beginning reader type book :) 3.5 stars if goodreads got its act together!
Nicole
Apr 16, 2009 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: older strugglers or younger rock stars
Shelves: middle-grade
Another great transition chapter book! Fab for younger more advanced readers AND older struggling readers.

Rock on, Ann Cameron!
Danielle
read for my 4th/5th graders' literature circle. even the "reluctant readers" loved it.
Shemar Christian
I read it when I was really young and this is what I thought of it then.
Charlie Beck
An imaginative boy gets into trouble. Transitional book.
Mckinley
Good stories to read to younger kids while babysitting
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The Stories Julian Tells (Paperback)
The Stories Julian Tells (paperback)
Stories Julian Tells (Hardcover)
The Stories Julian Tells (Library Binding)
Stories Julian Tells (Hardcover)

50529
Ann Cameron grew up in Wisconsin. Today, she and her husband live in Guatemala. From her house she can see a waterfall and three volcanoes. Ann Cameron has been a teacher and an editor as well as a writer.

She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."
More about Ann Cameron...
The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods Colibri The Most Beautiful Place in the World The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano Spunky Tells All

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