Great American Folklore gathers together nearly three hundred of the most entertaining legends, tall tales, and ballads from America's distinctive oral heritage.

Great American Folklore gathers together nearly three hundred of the most entertaining legends, tall tales, and ballads from America's distinctive oral heritage.

This illustrated account presents an interesting history of folklore as well as a retelling of famous American legends.

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.

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.

A collection of folklore, including an index of authors, titles, and first lines of songs and an index of subjects and names.