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Mike Fink: A Tall Tale (Tall Tales)
Mike Fink was king of the keelboatmen -- the strongest, rowdiest bunch of fellows ever to work on the Mississippi. Mike was a whole lot more than a keelboater -- yes, sir! He was a crack shot and the best grizzly and gator wrestler on the river. They don't make 'em like Mike these days, now do they?
Paperback, 48 pages
Published
May 27th 1998
by HarperCollins
(first published September 1st 1992)
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This book is a tall tale of Mike Fink, who cannot stand to be kept indoors as early as 2 days old. Thus, this leads to him living in the west frontier and his pursuit of becoming a keelboatman.
This is a traditional book, a tall tale as it paints a picture of American history: daring, rugged frontiersmen on keelboats in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers. An author's note helps us understand some of the key features of our hero, wearing a red feather identifying him as the strongest man o...more
This is a traditional book, a tall tale as it paints a picture of American history: daring, rugged frontiersmen on keelboats in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers. An author's note helps us understand some of the key features of our hero, wearing a red feather identifying him as the strongest man o...more
The story begins with Mike as just a baby, running away from home. He started to grow up with frogs, but then his grandfather fetched him back and tried to contain him. But Mike hated being indoors and dreamed of being a keelboat man. Mike and his mother joined a wagon train and traveled. Finally Mike tried out to be a keelboat man, but he lost and was sent away. Mike trained with bears in the mountains to get tougher and better at wrestling. Soon he returned and became captain of the keelboat m...more
This is an interesting folk tale about a boy named Mike Fink. The book starts out with Mike, only 2 days old, running away from home because he hates to be indoors. Mike grows up with a group of acrobatic frogs until his grandfather comes to retrieve him. Mike dreams of being a keelboat man. He and his mother join a wagon train and travel. Mike eventually tries out to be a keelboat man but loses and is sent away. He trains the the mountains with a group of bears to become even tougher than befor...more
This is a fun story for children. It is action packed and keeps children interested. Mike Fink was born and at two days old he ran away from home. He hated being indoors and wanted to live a life of adventure. The story follows all of Mikes travels and adventurous things he does. He wanted to become part of the Keelboatmen. This was not an easy task because he had to prove himself. This would make a good discussion with students. The teacher can ask if students have ever wanted something very ba...more
This book tells the legend of Mike Fink--king of the keelboatmen, the strongest, rowdiest bunch of fellows ever to work on the Mississippi--the best grizzly and gator wrestler on the river. Summary from Goodreads.
Potential Audience: Grades 1-4
Genre: Tall tale, fiction, picture book, adventure, books for boys
Curricular Use: Read aloud, independent reading
Keywords: Western frontier, wrestling, sports (wrestling, riflery)
Literary Elements: hyperbole, alliteration, simile, dialect, personification
Im...more
Potential Audience: Grades 1-4
Genre: Tall tale, fiction, picture book, adventure, books for boys
Curricular Use: Read aloud, independent reading
Keywords: Western frontier, wrestling, sports (wrestling, riflery)
Literary Elements: hyperbole, alliteration, simile, dialect, personification
Im...more
Summary: This is a wonderful adventure tall tale about Mike Fink's life. He ran away at two days old and became King of the Keelboatmen. He did many unbelievable feats that would surprise the reader over and over again.
Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Uses: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading
Social Issues: Books such as these that contain tall tales can be very entertaining for children and can allow them to use their imaginations to make up their own story....more
Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Uses: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading
Social Issues: Books such as these that contain tall tales can be very entertaining for children and can allow them to use their imaginations to make up their own story....more
Mike does not like being indoors at all and first escapes when he is two days old. He dreams of working as a keelboatman. He was skilled at shooting the family gun, Bang All. Wrestling with Carpenter led him to the Rocky Mountains. After wrestling with the bears, Mike was ready for a rematch. Mike won and worked on the boat.
This is a fun tall tale that starts off with an author's note to give information about keelboatman. Mike Fink is the strongest one, and considered the King of the Keepboatmen. My students enjoyed this tall tale and discussing what could be real, and what is a big stretch.
Mike Fink is another tall tale enhanced and brought to life by Steven Kellogg's colorful and detailed illustrations! Thanks to the retelling of this story and the accompanying illustrations of life along the Mississippi and keelboating, I want to pick up a Mark Twain book!
Interesting because even though its a tall tale it takes place on the Mississippi and weaves in history - how the steamboats replaced the jobs of the keelboat men and also the story of how the right to wear a red feather in your cap came to be.
One of my son's favorites (age 6-7). Love the historical background of the keelboat men before the steamships took over the Mississippi River. Funny stuff.
The kids LOVED this book. They spent several days quoting their favorite line from the book "Cockadoodle-doo, I'm back for round two! Let's wrestle!"
Retelling of the legend of Mike Fink, American folk hero.
Fantastic. I love Steven Kellogg's tall tales.
I didn't really like this book.
3.5
Aug 26, 2008
Beth
added it
My students ask for this one again and again!
What a fun story.
A real "boys' boy" book
JE398.2-Kel
May 14, 2013
Carissa
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Katie Wilson
added it
May 07, 2013
Lauren Summers
marked it as to-read
Apr 28, 2013
Danielle Boltin
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2013
Jaclyn
added it
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Steven Kellogg is an author and illustrator who has contributed over 90 books for children. He is best known for writing books about animals, for which he credits his grandmother .
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