"The well-known author retells 24 black American folk tales in sure storytelling voice: animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and caution...
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reviews
Jan 17, 2011
Leane
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The People Could Fly is a collection of 24 African American folktales compiled by Virginia Hamilton. The tales are separated into different categories: animal tales; tales of the real, extravagent, and fanciful; tales of the supernatural; and slave tales of freedom. Each story includes beautiful black and white illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon, who illustrated such books as Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears. At the end of each story, Virginia Hamilton provides a brief bit about where t
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Oct 22, 2009
NSAndrew
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Once upon a time, in a land far away...
These stories have journeyed far -- over mountains, deserts, and oceans -- carried by wind, passed on to us by our ancestors. Now they have found their way to you.
A sly fox, a bird of a thousand colors, a magical set of bagpipes, and an audacious young girl...A mixture of popular tales and literary lore, this anthology celebrates Hispanic culture and its many roots -- Indigenous, African, Arab, Hebrew, and Spanish. More...
These stories have journeyed far -- over mountains, deserts, and oceans -- carried by wind, passed on to us by our ancestors. Now they have found their way to you.
A sly fox, a bird of a thousand colors, a magical set of bagpipes, and an audacious young girl...A mixture of popular tales and literary lore, this anthology celebrates Hispanic culture and its many roots -- Indigenous, African, Arab, Hebrew, and Spanish. More...
Apr 01, 2009
Sarah
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An old man, Toby, frees the slaves who knew to fly before coming to America by using magical words in this deeply spiritual, moving tale that harmonizes with illustrations of ascending spirits reminiscent of frescoed ceilings, a combination that can only be described as glorious.
• Potential Use: Good curriculum support for discussing tales from different cultures or for introducing the topic of slavery.
• Child Appeal: Truly awesome, magical tale is made rich and vivid with the illust More...
• Potential Use: Good curriculum support for discussing tales from different cultures or for introducing the topic of slavery.
• Child Appeal: Truly awesome, magical tale is made rich and vivid with the illust More...
May 13, 2011
Shyvioletelizabeth
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One of my very favorite books as a kid, reread from the neglected shelf thanks to a very favorite blogger! From my fancy sophisticated Aunt Ann, A NY model & then TV producer who sent feminist books and hip-hop and underground tapes for Christmas and birthdays. Looking fwd to reading Many Thousands Gone, S, too, and having these in the treasury for future littles & current nevvies. I loved these stories & see now how they fit into self-possessed modern pedagogy, Natureshock thinking.
Jul 27, 2009
Sara
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It is very important to me that my kids learn about slavery! I want them to know that it is wrong to hate. This book made me cry in a good way. I think having black brothers and sister it made me cry more. Because there is still hate in this world I have seen it happen to my sisters and brothers. I want my kids to know that we are all the same and childern of our Heavenly Father. Oh and I loved the pictures.
Jul 24, 2010
Theophilus
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I didn't get the audio CD with my book, but the voice of the storyteller comes through loud and clear with these tales from black American folklore. From the "John the conquerer" stories to the stories that slaves told each other and their children about one day flying away from their world of cruel bondage to freedom are moving. Their dreams and hopes are our dreams and hopes today. Read it!
Dec 22, 2010
Courtney
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I really wanted to like this book, but I have to put it out there: I found this book to be profoundly disturbing. The animal torture scenes were horrific and that Brer Rabbit is a little you know what. I admire the historical significance, but simply cannot get on board with this one. However, the last story "The People Could Fly" did bring a tear to my eye.
Mar 31, 2011
Ashlee
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My Mom bought this book for me when I was a little girl. She loves Virginia Hamilton. This story has many African American tales. The pictures maybe a little scary, but hey I have seen worse! Focus on the stories more than the pictures if they scare you or your little ones! Great history lesson!
Dec 29, 2008
Patricia
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This is a folktale about people escaping slavery in the American South by flying away. It is beautiful but heartbreaking in light of the reality of slavery. Gorgeous writing, illustrations, and presentation. Made me want to cry, even looking through it to summarize several days after reading.
Dec 04, 2008
Melanie
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This book has old African American folktales. They are written with accents, in other words they are not perfect english. Some of the stories include, Brur Rabbit and Brur Fox. I enjoyed reading these and realizing that american folktales are really a compilation of other cultures folktales.
Oct 24, 2009
Elizabeth
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I love the stories in this book, but not always the writing. This is a book that reminds me that folktales are meant to be played with. The stories are there, with a hint at how to elaborate on them in the telling. Dialect adds flavor, but these stories are meant to be told.
Jan 10, 2009
Kate
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A collection of traditional African-American tales told in dialect, including the well-known Briar (Bruh) Rabbit tales. Few illustrations indicate that the stories should be read aloud. Notes after each story explain the origins of each tale.
Jan 16, 2008
Lars
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A classic...should be in any comprehensive children's library. The only reason I'm not going five stars is because like any anthology, there were some stories that I was bowled over by, and some that left me thinking, "So what?" One fascinating discovery: "The Two Johns," whose origin Hamilton ascribes to a "black Portugese tale...from Lousiana, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the Philippines" is almost EXACTLY the same as Hans Christian Andersen's "Little Clau
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May 07, 2008
Tracy
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Virginia Hamilton retells these folktales using dialects from the original storytellers. She has an uncanny ability to capture the essence of the dialect while retaining the text’s readability. Her extensively researched end notes after each folktale reveal fascinating multicultural connections and adaptations. She demonstrates the power of storytelling traditions for bringing hope, teaching lessons, and recapturing pride among American Blacks during the nation’s era of slavery and the early pos
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Oct 16, 2011
Andrea
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This collection of African stories is difficult to read initially because of the dialect it is presented in. However, this helps to create authenticity with these folktales.
Aug 06, 2011
Amanda
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excellent book and i remember liking it as a kid, but i can tell you from experience that if you're white it's better not to read it to black kids because you sound like a moron
Dec 20, 2010
Megan
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The introduction gives the context of these tales and explains the author's use of dialect. More background information follows each tale.
Jun 21, 2010
Sam
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I grew up on this one as an audio tape and absolutely loved it. It's definitely something I plan to pass on to my own kids when the time comes.
Aug 01, 2011
African American Folktale for children and curious adults. Read for the tale woven with history. Illustrations are A+!
Aug 19, 2009
Candice
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This book is good for teaching and introducing slavery. teaches children they can do what ever they set their minds to.
Jul 17, 2011
Rebekah
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Most of these stories are confusing dialectically, but they make much more sense if you read them aloud.
Jul 26, 2010
I read this for the title. The stories were no great shakes, though they were all right.
Jan 27, 2009
Beverly
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American Black folktales retold for children with the flavor of oral tales.
Nov 23, 2009
Erin
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What an amazing story of courage, slavery, and freedom! The story is that long ago, people from Africa could fly, but many of them shed their wings and forgot the magic when they got sold into slavery. Using powerful painted illustrations of close-ups of people, the story of how the people remember to fly and free themselves is inspiring and moving and almost makes you believe people could fly.
Oct 12, 2008
Tracy
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Folklore. CIP Summary: "Retold Afro-American folktales of animals, fantasy, the supernatural, and the desire for freedom, born of the sorrow of slaves, but passed on in hope."
I enjoyed a few of the tales in this book, but I thought some were hard to follow. I especially enjoyed the one about the lion roaring "me and myself" until he met a man with a gun. I think this book would be more appropriate for fourth graders and older. I may pick or choose carefully a More...
I enjoyed a few of the tales in this book, but I thought some were hard to follow. I especially enjoyed the one about the lion roaring "me and myself" until he met a man with a gun. I think this book would be more appropriate for fourth graders and older. I may pick or choose carefully a More...
Dec 15, 2010
Andrea
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Folk tales of African and perhaps Native american origins. My favorite being the title of the book.
Jul 30, 2008
Löki Gale
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These were my bed time stories when I was a child. Incredible book filled with all sorts of magic and insight into American Black culture.
The author also offers a children's version, which I have purchased for friends' children. It is never too early to start teaching about America's colorful past.
The author also offers a children's version, which I have purchased for friends' children. It is never too early to start teaching about America's colorful past.
