Books in American Storytelling from August House series

American Library Association Notable Children's Book & International Reading Association Young Adults' ChoiceHigh John the Conqueror, sometimes called simply High John or John, was a slave trickster who always outwit Old Master. Much like Greek slaves and Aesop's animal characters, High John was the subject of a series of subversive narratives, whose mission was to outsmart his oppressors. Tall tales of High John's exploits flourished during slavery, but after emancipation they fell out of circulation and his antics were all but forgotten. Sanfield's skillful storytelling combined with simple black and white illustrations will transport readers to a different time. Sanfield weaves in historical context with this folktale about resourcefulness and courage. Steve Sanfield is an award-winning author, poet and storyteller, as well as the founder of the Sierra Storytelling Festival. One of the pioneers of the American storytelling renaissance, he has been honored with the first leadership award from the National Storytelling Association, a Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network, and a lifetime Achievement Award from the Storytelling Association of California.

Grandma's house was a magical place and Donald Davis brings the magic back in vibrant detail. Even if Grandpa did live there, it was always Grandma's house. In this recording, Davis makes it possible for each of us to go back to Grandma's kitchen, her clutter room, living room, and to that immeasurable bed in which we burrowed so happily. The antics with the cousins, the imaginative games that went awry, the animals and the house itself all come back to the listener as Davis paints the picture ....

A glowing collection of stories gathered from many sources and invites readers to share in a storytelling culture teeming with French and Canadian traditions. -Midwest Book ReviewBubbling with beautiful princesses, dragon-slaying underdogs, and crafty tricksters, these Franco-American stories explore a heritage that has become known as "a quiet presence". Co-authors, Parent and Olivier recount the lutin's tricks on farmers, the Jack-like adventures of Ti-Jean, Pierre and his modern-day chainsaw, a beautiful princess conquering an evil witch, and family stories passed down from generation to generation. Meet Michael's grandfather, Honoré Fournier, who spoiled his grandchildren with kindly generosity, and Alexis Lacasse, Julien's grandfather, who didn't let a prank stop him from arriving to dinner on time. Life in Franco-American families revolved around two entities: family and church. The authors address these two important aspects and how they have influenced their stories. Olivier and Parent inherited their families' love of stories and continue that legacy by sharing their ancestry and heritage in this charming book. These medieval stories teach readers the importance of courage, resourcefulness and respect.

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's web? If their purpose is strictly to catch flies, why do spiders weave such beautiful, intricate webs? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder? Why is the sea salty? How did tigers get their stripes? In this collection of delightful tales from around the world and through the ages, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does.

More than 100 tales of the supernatural, drawn from Tidewater Virginia to the Lone Star State, are included in this collection. McNeil's introduction traces themes peculiar to the South, such as the screaming bridge and the levitating railroad light. Line drawings contribute to the mood of the stories; an index references various Southern localities by town and state.

Back by popular demand, these timeless, scary and spine-tingling thrillers are collected together for young readers.Collected by Richard and Judy Dockrey Young, the powerhouse couple whose scary stories showcase the height of horror, the dreadful tales within this book are organized by themes: "The Classic Urban Legends" - the most popular of the scary legends, unverified but repeated as is they were true, with contemporary settings and subject matter; "A Terror Tour of Our Nation" includes stories across, sideways, and up and down all of North America; "Jump!" stories that end with the teller yelling the final words; "Laugh Yourself to Death" to give ourselves a break of humor; and "Our Favorite Horror Tales" that highlight the fear of unnatural beings and events. Publishers Weekly wrote, "These snappy thrillers deliver the sheer shiver power that kids value most. Thanks to their brevity (only a few are longer than four pages) and the swift delivery of their delightfully creepy punch lines, these tales will hold particular appeal for reluctant readers."

Recognized as PLA/ALLS Best New Books for New Adult ReadersJim May writes the stories of his youth, growing up in the rural Midwest between the Truman and the JFK eras, where trading stories was as common as trading horses, and frequently required the same skills. Neighboring, as his mother called it, was part of the social fabric. These 18 poignant and humorous stories of life's joys and trials told with the freshness of youth, yet tempered with the wisdom of age evoke a simpler time in our nation's history without romanticizing the inherent hardships. These barnyard stories teach readers the importance of caring, citizenship and resourcefulness.