Gr 2-5-Troll has added to its Legends of the World series with four appealing African-American legends. All of the folktales are retold by Janet R. Johnson, and the books are illustrated by Charles Reasoner. Peter Thomas competently narrates three of the stories, while an unidentified female reads Keelboat Annie with a very slight, sometimes Southern accent and rousing throatiness. The adaptation featuring Annie Christmas, which will be new to many young readers, is the most engaging tale. Annie punches bullies and makes a necklace of their teeth while becoming an impressive and respected keelboat operator. In Lucky Jack and the Giant, Lucky Jack sets forth in the world. An old woman directs him to the home of the evil Long Beard, who sets forth impossible tasks that Jack accomplishes with the assistance of Long Beard's daughter Julie's magic. Jack and Julie eventually escape. How Mr. Dog Got Tame features a starving dog and a starving wolf. During a bad winter, Mr. Dog summons the courage to approach the home of Mr. Man and Mrs. Woman, where he and his descendants have remained ever since. Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby is the story of Brer Fox making the sticky tar baby to trap Brer Rabbit. All tapes (and books) conclude with a different one page lesson in African-American history. Teachers guides provide background information, discussion questions, and project suggestions. Unobstrusive music and sound effects are peppered throughout the tape which make for entertaining listening with or without the accompanying books.
Fritz Mitnick, Shaler North Hills Library, Glenshaw, PA
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