Treasury of North American Folktales
Treasury of North American Folktales
"Like an old, old coin . . . bearing the sweat and palm oil of millions who've handled it, these anonymous stories and yarns, legends and myths, distill the collective experience of mankind." --Charles Johnson, from the Introduction A Treasury of North American Folktales is a celebration of the voices that make up America. Ranging from American Indian love stories to Davy Crockett's account of killing a bear with a knife, from Brer Rabbit's mischief to Johnny Appleseed's good deeds, from hilarious yarns about killer mosquitoes to eerie encounters with the devil, this collection of over 100 tales overflows with the richness of American tradition. This bountiful harvest of folklore contains tales from Alaska's Kodiak Island, the Cajun bayous of Louisiana, the Ozark hill country, the Hispanic Southwest, and much more. Here you will find American Indian tales of how the world was made; tall tales, brags, and lies; legendary heroes, heroines, and villains like Casey Jones and Annie Oakley; mythical characters like Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and Pecos Bill; tricks and tricksters; romantic tales; and scary ghost stories. This striking anthology is a book to keep, to linger over, and to read aloud to every generation.