Jump! The Adventures of Brer Rabbit

by Joel Chandler Harris, Van Dyke Parks, Malcolm Jones

A retelling of five folktales in which crafty Brer Rabbit tries to outsmart all the other creatures in the animal community.

The comeuppance of Brer Wolf -- Brer Fox goes hunting, but Brer Rabbit bags the game -- Brer Rabbit finds his match -- Brer Rabbit grossly deceives Brer Fox -- The moon in the millpond -- Song : Hominy Grove.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1986

About the author

Joel Chandler Harris was an American journalist born in Eatonton, Georgia who wrote the Uncle Remus stories, including Uncle Remus; His Songs and His Sayings, The Folk-Lore of the Old Plantation, (1880), Nights with Uncle Remus (1881 & 1882), Uncle Remus and His Friends (1892), and Uncle Remus and the Little Boy (1905).

The stories, based on the African-American oral storytelling tradition, were revolutionary in their use of dialect and in featuring a trickster hero called Br'er ("Brother") Rabbit, who uses his wits against adversity, though his efforts do not always succeed. The frog is the trickster character in traditional tales in Central and Southern Africa. The stories, which began appearing in the Atlanta Constitution in 1879, were popular among both Black and White readers in the North and South, not least because they presented an idealized view of race relations soon after the Civil War. The first published Brer Rabbit stories were written by President Theodore Roosevelt's uncle, Robert Roosevelt.

Reviews

[EJ Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this version excises the frame stories of Uncle Remus and the Boy, Van Dyke Parks and Malcolm Jones have nevertheless managed to capture the original feel of the Uncle Remus stories in a framing which will not upset the delicate sensibilities of many modern readers.

The crowning achievement of the Jump series, however, is the incredible artwork done by Barry Moser. It is deeply evocative, marvelously detailed, and a true feast for the eyes.

[Brookie Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed Song of the South and Brer Rabbit, it was such a fun time to read a book from the original author who heard the original stories of these fun and silly characters, with this book only having a few stories it leaves me with wanting even more! So good!

[Margaret Kerr]

Harris, Joel Chandler (Adapted by Van Dyke Parks and Malcolm Jones). Jump! The Adventures of Brer Rabbit (1986). This is a collection of five popular tales of Brer Rabbit, that are from the original Uncle Remus stories from the late 1800’s. Brer Rabbit, a mischievous, sassy and smart character is always coming up with tricks and pranks. Brer Fox and Brer Wolf are constantly scheming ways to capture him, but they are typically outwitted. The watercolor illustrations done by Barry Moser, most of which are colorful, capture aspects of the characters’ personalities and contribute to the stories. I especially appreciated the “Storytellers Note” in the beginning of the book that provides the background information of how black slaves in the south shared these stories to their whole community which were appealing to all ages. Target audience: ages 7 to adult (I remember my father being very fond of these stories).

[Stephanie Locascio · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was too violent for me to finish reading to my 4 year old.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great update to the Harris Brer Rabbit stories!! The updated language is still pitch perfect for a read aloud, especially if you have a good Southern/redneck drawl back in your throat somewhere. Moser's illustrations are terrific--so much better than a "cartoon" style. My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was slightly disappointed that the Tar Baby and the Briar Patch don't make an appearance in this collection; the 5 stories included are good ones, though.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Brer Rabbit tales (about five of them) are told in standard English, which I was glad about. In all but one he outsmarts other animals, but in one Brer Rabbit is outsmarted by a terrapin. (They have an illustration of a terrapin and it looks like a tortoise.)

The illustrations are very nice.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so intriguing because of the intense ways the animals play practical (and physical) jokes on one another. I like that Brer Rabbit is even "had." The illustrations are right on for the period that the stories represent.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of a few selected Brer Rabbit stories, but what takes the book to a higher level are Barry Moser's watercolor and ink illustrations.