Editorial Review

Famous American tall tales are retold for a new generation. The author uses conversational language to relay the story and follows it with an examination of the tale. Readers learn about historical facts that may have been the basis for the story as well as which aspects are made up. They also learn about different versions of the same story. The author expertly points out the exaggerated elements that make it a tall tale. Vibrant illustrations are scattered throughout the book and the pages are bordered with bold colors. The series is a treat to look at, but young readers might find the conversational language difficult to read. However, it does include excellent read-aloud stories, which is a fitting way to learn about oral tales. VERDICT Recommended for school libraries.