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Front cover: A book of rhymes, games, jokes, stories, secret languages, beliefs and camp legends, for parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors and all adults who were once children.
Contains African American folktales adapted and illustrated by various authors and artists; folksongs and hymns; historical information; and profiles of noteworthy African Americans from diverse professions.
A groundbreaking collection of essays on a hitherto underexplored subject that challenges the existing stereotypical views of the trivial and innocent nature of children's culture, this work reveals for the first time the artistic and complex interactions among children. Based on research of scholars from such diverse fields as American studies, anthropology, education, folklore, psychology, and sociology, this volume represents a radical new attempt to redefine and reinterpret the expressive behaviors of children. The book is divided into four major sections: history, methodology, genres, and setting, with a concluding chapter on theory. Each section is introduced by an overview by Brian Sutton-Smith. The accompanying bibliography lists historical references through the present, representing works by scholars for over 100 years.
The purpose of this book is to show how children use their traditional lore to cope with the stresses of their lives and to learn what it means to be a member of a human society. The subjects' ages ranged from grade-school children through college freshman, located in forty-three states, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, and American military bases abroad. The materials in this collection were drawn from a random sample.
Full of lively stories, jokes, and games for performance, the book also includes 40 songs with melody and guitar chords. Written by outstanding practicing folk performer. Includes 44 illustrations.
A compilation of more than 120 folk songs, tales, poems, and stories telling the history of America and reflecting its multicultural society. Illustrated by award-winning artists.
The perfect addition to every family’s home library and just right for sharing aloud, American Tall Tales introduces readers to America’s first folk heroes in nine wildly exaggerated and downright funny stories. Here are Paul Bunyan, that king-sized lumberjack who could fell “ten white pines with a single swing”; John Henry, with his mighty hammer; Mose, old New York’s biggest, bravest fireman; Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, who could “outgrin, outsnort, outrun, outlift, outsneeze, outsleep, outlie any varmint”; and other uniquely American characters, together in one superb collection. In the tradition of the original nineteenth-century storytellers, Mary Pope Osborne compiles, edits, and adds her own two cents’ worth—and also supplies fascinating historical headnotes. Michael McCurdy’s robust colored wood engravings recall an earlier time, perfectly capturing all the vitality of the men and women who carved a new country out of the North American wilderness.
L. Frank Baum's "American Fairy Tales" is a delightful collection of colorful and imaginative stories that show the author's individual originality and exploration of the American experience. Baum, best known for his renowned "The Wizard of Oz" trilogy, introduces readers to a number of captivating tales that merge fantasy with a touch of Americana. Baum takes readers on a wonderful voyage into a realm where talking animals, magic, and regular people combine in unusual ways in this anthology. Each narrative takes a fresh spin on traditional fairy tale components, typically with a fun and satirical take on contemporary standards and ideals. Baum embraces the diversity of American culture and landscapes in these stories, demonstrating his skill at building narratives that appeal to readers of all ages. While "American Fairy Tales" deviates from classic European fairy tales, it retains the genre's charm and wonder. Baum's wit and storytelling prowess shine through as he weaves amusing and thought-provoking scenarios. Baum's skilled storytelling and aim to build a uniquely American mythology are reflected in the collection's blend of fantasy and social satire.
