Celebrating the 15th anniversary of these collection of tales. There are among nine "tall" heroes featured in this exuberant collection o...
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Apr 07, 2010
Ronyell
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“American Tall Tales” is a set of tales from famous tall tale heroes of the west, African-American history, and of the Mississippi. Mary Pope Osborne’s hilarious retelling of the American heroes and Michael McCurdy’s wood engraved drawings both make these set of collections an instant treat.
“American Tall Tales” is a great book about tall tale legends that made a difference in the world. One of the best advantages in this book is the colorful characters. Each tall tale character is a More...
“American Tall Tales” is a great book about tall tale legends that made a difference in the world. One of the best advantages in this book is the colorful characters. Each tall tale character is a More...
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Jul 19, 2011
Aaronschafer
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This was a very good book. Paul Bunyan is about a boy that grew unusually fast and large. People complained about how he would shake the ground as he walked when he was still just a toddler. In attempt to resolve the shaking, his parent put him in a big raft-like boat to keep him from shaking the ground but when he would roll over in the boat, it would create large waves that would flood the villages along the shores. So his parents were obligated to take him away and place him where he woul
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Feb 20, 2009
Rachel
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I have always loved hearing about tall tales, ever since I was little and watched the Disney versions of Paul Bunyun and Pecos Bill. Michael McCurdy's wood engraving illustrations in this book were amazing, and went well with the frontier theme of the book. They had familiar stories about Davy Crockett, Paul Bunyun, Pecos Bill, Johnny Appleseed and John Henry. There were lesser known stories about Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind (the wife of Davy Crockett), Stormalong (a giant sailor from Massac
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Jul 22, 2010
Gabriel
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I wrote my own tall tale after reading these tall tales. Here is my tall tale:
Gabey the Tornady
On the day Gabey was born he screamed so loud that the walls caved in. Everybody thought a tornado had done the damage. For his first meal, Gabey ate ten barrels of eggs, sausage, and milk. When Gabey's Mom gave him his first bath, he splashed so hard that a whirlpool appeared. By Gabey's 6th birthday, he had frown as tall as a willow tree. Once Gabey rode his bike so fa More...
Gabey the Tornady
On the day Gabey was born he screamed so loud that the walls caved in. Everybody thought a tornado had done the damage. For his first meal, Gabey ate ten barrels of eggs, sausage, and milk. When Gabey's Mom gave him his first bath, he splashed so hard that a whirlpool appeared. By Gabey's 6th birthday, he had frown as tall as a willow tree. Once Gabey rode his bike so fa More...
Feb 09, 2011
Kim
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A wonderful resource for teaching tall tales. Mary Pope Osborne gets the folksy voices just right, and her introductions to each of the tall tale characters give invaluable information on the history of how that particular tall tale developed. Bold illustrations capture the adventure and energy of these exaggerated tales.
Apr 18, 2011
The Reading Countess
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American tall tales are, well...tall. And Mary Pope Osborne, of The Magic Treehouse fame, aims to make this collection the biggest and best yet. She doesn't disappoint. My favorite: Paul Bunyan's wife, Sally Ann ThunderAnn Whirlwind.
*Some artwork contained in the book is sure to cause giggling.
*Some artwork contained in the book is sure to cause giggling.
Mar 14, 2011
Jennifer
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This book is a collection of folktales, and I would recommend this book, but with some reservations. Don't get me wrong, the stories are great. However, they are not the original folktales that I am used to. They have been modified, shortened, and in my opinion they are not as interesting.
May 01, 2010
Christina
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This was a nice supplement to our study of American history (we're learning about explorers, mountain men, and American legends). The audio version had a lively and animated narrator. Even though the book recommends this for kids 9+, my younger kids enjoyed it.
Oct 05, 2008
Annie
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Genre: Tall Tales
Grade:3-6
Johnny Appleseed
In the Ohio Valley, a ghost is seen and heard. Johnny Appleseed became a legend in the early 1800's. He set off to become an apple missionary, spreading apples all over the frontier. He saw many things, including steamboats, buffalo, oxen, women gathering crops. He even saw Abraham Lincoln, giving him some encouragement. One spring night, Johnny laid down and talked with the animals, it was then he became a living legend, with hi More...
Grade:3-6
Johnny Appleseed
In the Ohio Valley, a ghost is seen and heard. Johnny Appleseed became a legend in the early 1800's. He set off to become an apple missionary, spreading apples all over the frontier. He saw many things, including steamboats, buffalo, oxen, women gathering crops. He even saw Abraham Lincoln, giving him some encouragement. One spring night, Johnny laid down and talked with the animals, it was then he became a living legend, with hi More...
Jun 24, 2011
Scott
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Another fun read aloud. My girls love tall tales, especially when I make them up, but when I run dry of creativity, these old standbys not only entertain them, but give me new ideas for my own.
Jul 18, 2010
Denise
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The illustrations of wood cutouts were a nice touch. The author gives an informative back story for each tall tale. I liked the first few tall stories, but the subsequent stories weren't as engaging. Unfortunately, the child to whom I read the tall tales did not appreciate the genre. She did not understand how "boasting" (her word, not mine!) was funny.
Jan 28, 2010
Heather
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Ah the american tall tales, larger than life and always fun to revist on occasion! Still have to say Johnny Appleseed and John Henry are still my favorites.
Sep 02, 2008
Tiffany
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This is a good book for introducing students to folktales and expaining the differnces between fact and fiction, this book has both. Some of the stories are based on fact, while some are complete fiction. This book could also be implemented in a lesson about tales of American history. I would have given this book 5 stars, but the author clearly states in the preface that she changed some of the inforamtion in the tales to suit a politcally correct society. I understand her views, but i don't thi
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Oct 17, 2008
Karin
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My boys really enjoyed this book. We read it to fill some cubscout requirements. It's written by the same author that wrote the Magic Treehouse Series. The illustrations are neat wood engravings. It has all the well-known tall tales--Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyun, Johnny Appleseed, as well as some I hadn't heard before. In her introduction, Mary Pope Osborne says that she tried to bring out the more vulnerable and compassionate side of the tall-tale characters in her retellings.
Apr 29, 2008
Jamie
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I am obsessed with story telling lately and this book is full of great stories. I hope that I can learn them well enough to tell to children without the book. They are the kinds of stories that grandpa would tell you while sitting on the porch and whittling.
The other great thing about this one is the language. It makes me laugh at the great phrases like, "I could whip my weight in wildcats" and words like, "varmint". It is a great collection of tales.
The other great thing about this one is the language. It makes me laugh at the great phrases like, "I could whip my weight in wildcats" and words like, "varmint". It is a great collection of tales.
Aug 26, 2008
Heather
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We read this as a bedtime story over a few weeks and they laughed and laughed and laughed and didn't get much sleeping done.
These stories were nicely done with great illustrations.
An excellent addition to your study of American History or just for fun.
These stories were nicely done with great illustrations.
An excellent addition to your study of American History or just for fun.
Jun 04, 2008
Brynn
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I love tall tales! I read some with my 3/4 class today and they were really engaged and asking for more!
Apr 12, 2011
Rebecca
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I decided I don't like American tall tales as much as I like midieval tales.
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