Tall Tales-Collection of Books by Theme
You're probably familiar with characters like Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Davy Crockett, whose larger-than-life exploits are part of America's Old West tall tales.
But are you aware that there are tall tales about women and that tall tales exist in other countries?
These recommended books about great strength, big adventures, and firm and steadfast friends are great for kids aged 0-9 to share their enduring stories with!
1. American Tall Tales
By: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by: Michael McCurdy
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
These well-told tales of fictional and real-life characters from American folklore meet heroes (and heroines). These stories are best read aloud, and strong-lined wood engravings accompany them.
2. Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam
By: Sherry Garland
Illustrated by: Trina Schart Hyman
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
This comprehensive list explains why tigers have stripes, what happens to bad actors, and much more. Intense retellings are complemented by jewel-toned drawings, bringing Southeast Asian lore to life.
3. Cut from the Same Cloth: American Women of Myth, Legend and Tall Tale
By: Robert San Souci
Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, Myths and Legends
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
The United States is packed with stories of smart, powerful, and simply amazing women from the Northeast to the West.
The text of this book contains tall American tales about strong women from various backgrounds, which are illustrated by the complete lines of scratchboard illustration.
4. Davy Crockett Saves the World
By: Rosalyn Schanzer
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
"Unless it's fake," of course, every word in this book is accurate.
The Crockett almanacks inspired outrageous stories about this larger-than-life character, retold here in words and pictures with vigour and laugh-out-loud humor.
5. John Henry
By: Julius Lester
Illustrated by: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tales, and Folk Tales
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Pre-Reader
John Henry's talent was evident as early as when he assisted his father, but he cemented his place in American folklore when he took on the steam drill.
In richly detailed watercolors and language, his place among American tall tale heroes is chronicled.
6. Kumak's Fish: A Tall Tale from the Far North
By: Michael Bania
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Pre-Reader
When Kumak catches a big fish, the entire village pitches in to help him carry it in, the lighthearted illustrations in this original tall tale set in the Arctic add
vigour and glee to the playful plot.
