Books with title Mountain Jack Tales

Jack is the universal folk hero and adventurer. Tales of Jack’s adventures are as timeless as bedrock but as fresh as dawn in the Appalachian Mountains. Whether besting ogres, outsmarting flatland card sharps, wrestling with ornery witches, or even taking on Old Man Death himself, the plainspoken hero’s common sense, goodness and hill-country humor help him come out on top every time. “In a lucid, vibrant voice, Caldecott Medalist Haley recounts stories that originate in the rugged North Carolina Mountain country ... Haley’s use of metaphor, hyperbole and dialect captures the playful spirit of mountain lore. Her emotive, elaborate wood engravings, as well as her afterwords about the stories, the art and language itself, enrich this boyant anthology.” —Publishers Weekly Haley’s “spirited retellings are salted with backwoods language ... and illustrated with wood engravings that are full of energy, comedy and magical creatures.” —Kirkus Reviews

Jack is the universal folk hero and adventurer. Tales of Jack's adventures are as timeless as bedrock but as fresh as dawn in the Appalachian hills. Whether Jack is outsmarting ogres, besting card sharks, wrestling with ornery witches, or even taking on Old Man Death himself, the plainspoken hero's common sense, goodness, and hill-country humor help him come out on top every time. Gail Haley is an author, award-winning illustrator, puppeteer, and storyteller. She has written and illustrated over forty books for children. She is the only North Carolinian to have won the Caldecott Medal and is the only person world-wide to have won both The Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenway Medal. In addition, she won the Kadai Tosho Award in Japan. Parent's Choice Award for The Green Man and the Kerlan Award for Lifetime Achievement. She was a storyteller in residence at Appalachian State University for fifteen years and has lectured extensively in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and South Africa.

Learning and sharing continue to be a fulfilling part of my life. I have taught in elementary and high schools. As a professor of Communication in the University System of New Hampshire, I had the opportunity of initiating a program of international education for college students as well as international teacher exchanges. Through years of international service I had the privilege of meeting and working with children, parents, a number of community leaders and educators in England, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Nepal, Turkey, Switzerland as well as the United States. The universal themes of Tara's Tales are the result of learning and sharing with people throughout the world. Tara Stuart I am a graphic designer/illustrator; I have an Associate's Degree in Art, from the Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta Georgia. I have been working as a graphic designer since 1983. My task with Tara's fables was to design a platform to visually pull you into Tara's thoughts and vision. I loved working with Tara on this and many of her other fables, and would suggest you read all of her works. Philip Thomsen Tara Stuart has worked and played with children of all ages in many parts of the world, and is co-author of "I Always Knew I Was Different", concerning the study and case histories of gifted and highly gifted children. She has taught in elementary and secondary schools. In 2005, after a number of years teaching at Keene State College in New Hampshire, USA. Tara was named Professor of Communication Emeritus. Extensive travel, work and study in Europe, Asia, Africa and America have deeply influenced the universal theme of Tara's Tales. The encouragement of joy and wonder in children provided the inspiration. "Mountain is the second Tara's Tale to share with children of all ages. Earth's vision and power to change the land is related to the impact which change brings not only to the land, but to the many animal friends of Hill. As Hill evolves into Mountain, he seemingly loses his friends and has to face loneliness. "In Mountain, Tara Stuart has created food for the mind, heart, and soul, as she does so well. As a mother and teacher, I have always read and discussed meaningful stories with my children and pupils. And now - my great grandchildren, once hearing the thought provoking fable of Mountain, are saying, 'Please read it again." Judy Hall Mother and School Teacher in New Hampshire