Stockings of Buttermilk: American Folktales [Hardcover]

Neil Philip (Author), Jacqueline Mair (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This handsome volume brings together eighteen American stories from eleven states, all of which are based on traditional tales of the European cultures that had the earliest influence on this country-the British Isles, France, Spain, and Germany. Some stories are variants of familiar favorites like "Snow White" ("A Stepchild That Was Treated Mighty Bad"), while others, like "The Little Bull with the Golden Horns," are less well known; some are funny, some poignant. All share a characteristic freshness, energy, and informality that mark them as purely American. Vividly colored illustrations in the style of American folk art add humor and charm to this collection of lively, colloquial tales-tales that just beg to be read aloud. An authoritative introduction and notes place each in its folkloric context.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-Philip's collection of tales is characteristically eclectic: none are well-known versions, but all are familiar in their motifs. The selections focus on stories of European origins that have found roots in places such as Missouri, New Mexico, or Michigan. Included are "Snow White" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" variants from Kentucky, but other retellings have less widely recognized locales. As indicated in the source notes, the editor has made limited changes to most of the tales, and since some are virtually word-for-word dictations of different storytellers, there is no unifying voice. However, the front and end matter and the consistency of the artwork bind this collection. An introduction, notes, a list for further reading, and acknowledgments provide context while the notes will be most useful for adults (particularly for scholars or professional storytellers) as they refer to the Aarne-Thompson international tale type numbers for readers interested in finding "other versions of the same basic story." The full-page, spot, and border color illustrations in a bright folk-art style assemble images and patterns, often with lines resembling stitch marks, that give the impression of a quilt or applique pieces. Overall, a useful addition with unique selections.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

A collection with a difference. Drawn from rare sources, these 18 stories and anecdotes, rooted in Europe but harvested in America, and often from African American tellers, are nearly all surprising variants on familiar folktales: Jack climbs the beanstalk in a righteous bid to reclaim items stolen from him and his mother; Tyll Eulenspiegel jumps the Atlantic to Pennsylvania Dutch country as trickster/fool Eileschpijjel; an Appalachian "Snow White" suddenly becomes a "good sister/bad sister" tale in which the vile stepmother ends up with an ever-full basket of snakes and toad-frogs. Philip generally lays editorial hands on the tales lightly, if at all, learnedly discusses tale types and other matters in appended notes, and caps the lot with a real find, retelling from an obscure Joel Chandler Harris collection an engaging tale of a disguised king who courts a skeptical shoemaker's daughter. Jacqueline Mair's small paintings add atmosphere by mimicking folk art patchwork and embroidery patterns. Stand this up next to Cohn's From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs (1993) or Philip's own American Fairy Tales, from Rip Van Winkle to the Rootabaga Stories (1996) and watch storytellers and other students of American folklore in search of fresh material fall on it with glad cries. John Peters

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (September 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395849802
• ISBN-13: 978-0395849804
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,128,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic takes in American settings, May 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Stockings of Buttermilk: American Folktales (Hardcover)

Fun to see classic tales like Snow White retold in an American setting. Most of inspired by classic fairly tales but have an American foldk feel