cover image African-American Folktales for Young Readers: Including Favorite Stories from African and African-American Storytellers

African-American Folktales for Young Readers: Including Favorite Stories from African and African-American Storytellers

Richard Young. August House Publishers, $18.95 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-87483-308-9

Well-sourced and well-told, the 30-plus tales in this lively collection are welcome indeed. Broad headings (e.g., ``Animal Fables,'' ``Brother Rabbit Today'') provide for topical arrangement, and entries range from such favorites as ``Wylie and the Hairy Man'' and ``John Henry'' to lesser-known trickster tales. The Youngs' vivid language begs even a moderately skilled youngster to read these works aloud and memorize them for retelling. Each entry is preceded by a note explaining the story's origins and defining any unusual material, while short introductions to each section identify overall themes. Ellis's introduction and the Youngs' brief essay, ``Languages of Africa,'' seem aimed at soliciting adult participation; accordingly, this book will work best when shared. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (May)