About This Book
When a parent wants to share the rich tradition of African American oral storytelling through a modern lens, this collection is an essential choice. Julius Lester breathes new life into the Brer Rabbit legends, stripping away the problematic dialect of older versions to center the cleverness, wit, and resilience of the characters. These tales focus on how a small, seemingly vulnerable rabbit uses his intellect and creativity to outsmart much larger and more powerful adversaries. Appropriate for elementary-aged children, the stories are filled with humor and legendary tricks that keep young readers engaged. Beyond the entertainment, the book serves as a powerful testament to the importance of quick thinking and the survival of a culture's voice. Parents will find this an excellent bridge for discussing how stories can be reclaimed and retold with dignity and joy.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of these tales. While Lester's voice is contemporary, the stories originated within the enslaved African American community as a way to code messages of resistance and survival. Parents may want to explain that these stories were created by enslaved people who used Brer Rabbit’s wit as a metaphor for surviving and outsmarting a system of systemic oppression. Additionally, some stories involve mild cartoonish violence (animals trying to catch or eat one another).
Ideal Reader
A child who loves trickster myths, such as Anansi the Spider, or a student interested in how folklore changes over time. It is perfect for a child who feels 'small' in a world of 'big' adults and wants to see a hero succeed through brains rather than brawn.
Parent Prep
It is helpful to read Lester's introduction to understand his approach to reclaiming these stories from the Joel Chandler Harris versions. Read Lester’s introduction to better explain to your child how these stories were reclaimed from older, problematic versions that used harmful caricatures. A child might be upset by the predatory nature of some characters (animals trying to eat one another).
Age Experience
Younger children (6-8) will enjoy the slapstick humor and the 'animal vs. animal' antics. Older children (9-12) will appreciate the sophisticated voice of the narrator and can engage with the deeper themes of cultural preservation.
What Makes It Special
Lester's voice is the key. He inserts himself into the narrative with a conversational, modern tone that makes these old stories feel immediate and relevant, removing the barrier of difficult-to-read phonetic dialect.
Read plot summary
This is the third volume in Julius Lester's celebrated retelling of the Uncle Remus stories. It features various animal characters, primarily Brer Rabbit, in a series of episodic adventures where the protagonist must use his cunning to escape traps or secure food from his rivals. The setting is a reimagined American South where animals talk and live alongside humans.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Brer Rabbit is much smaller than Brer Bear or Brer Wolf. Why do you think he is able to win most of their fights?
2
Julius Lester talks to the reader directly in these stories. How does his voice change the way you feel about the characters?
3
Is Brer Rabbit always 'good,' or is he just 'smart'? Is there a difference between the two?
4
Which of Brer Rabbit's tricks was your favorite, and why do you think it worked so well?
5
If you were Brer Fox, what would you do differently to keep from being tricked next time?
