Follow the Drinking Gourd [Hardcover]

Bernardine Connelly (Author), Yvonne Buchanan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Based on the traditional American folk song "Follow the Drinking Gourd, " this story recounts the daring adventures of a young girl and her family as they escape slavery in the Deep South. Actor Morgan Freeman delivers a poignant and inspiring narration, and modern acoustic blues legend Taj Mahal provides the heartfelt musical accompaniment. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 6. The adventures of a young girl and her family as they escape slavery in the Deep South. Narrated by Morgan Freeman. Taj Mahal provides the musical accompaniment.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

Morgan Freeman dramatically reads the story of a slave family's escape to freedom by way of the Underground Railroad. With just the right amount of change in vocal pitch and pacing, he effectively transports listeners as the family travels northward and makes them feel the dangers of the journey. Taj Mahal provides vocal and instrumental accompaniment using guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin which add authenticity. The bluesy tunes will echo in listeners's memories and are repeated without narration on the second side. The telling of classic family stories in audio format just doesn't get any better than this. C.R.A. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Juv) (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689802420
• ISBN-13: 978-0689802423
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Primary Grades Resource, October 20, 2003

By 

JKerouacOPhile "jen jen jen" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Follow the Drinking Gourd (Audio Cassette)

This is an excellent story of escape from slavery using the Underground Railroad. It explains the song and its symbolism. It also explains the fears of families during slavery -- they might be sold and separated from one another. The accompanying CD or Cassette, narrated by Morgan Freeman with music by Taj Mahal, makes this book/CD unforgettable. Kids will be spellbound.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted!, April 5, 2008

By 

Belinda Foutz "Zookeeper" (Chesapeake, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Follow the Drinking Gourd: A Story of the Underground Railroad (Rabbit Ears: A Classic Tale (Spotlight)) (Library Binding)

I am a history teacher and wanted a story on the Underground Railroad that my students would enjoy. This book tells a wonderful story and has beautiful illustrations.