About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels small in a world of giants or needs to see that cleverness and persistence are more powerful than brute strength. This collection of Appalachian folktales features Jack, a trickster hero who navigates a world of kings, giants, and magical creatures using his wits and a healthy dose of mountain grit. The stories celebrate the underdog and the power of common sense in the face of impossible odds. These tales offer a bridge to American cultural history and oral storytelling traditions. While some stories contain mild cartoonish violence or dark elements typical of traditional fairy tales, the overall tone is humorous and empowering for elementary and middle school readers. It is an excellent choice for a family read aloud, as the rhythmic mountain dialect is designed to be spoken and shared.
