American Tall Tales

By Mary Pope Osborne, Michael McCurdy (Illustrator)

Discover legendary American folk heroes in tales of epic feats and humor.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 922 ratings

115 pages· 19,251 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Meet larger-than-life characters like Paul Bunyan and John Henry in a collection of American tall tales. These stories brim with humor and exaggeration, capturing the spirit of folk heroes who shaped a nation. From a giant lumberjack to a mighty hammer-wielding man, each tale offers a glimpse into the wild adventures and legendary feats of these iconic figures. As you journey through these stories, you'll wonder: How did these heroes become legends? What truths lie beneath their exaggerated exploits? Dive into a world where the impossible becomes possible and history meets myth.

From the publisher

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.

At a glance