Book details
Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales
Description
Brer Rabbit is causing trouble again for his fellow creatures Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and the rest--this time in an omnibus edition that brings together all the stories from Tales of Uncle Remus, More Tales of Uncle Remus, Further Tales of Uncle Remus, and Last Tales of Uncle Remus.The Uncle Remus tales, originally written down by Joel Chandler Harris, were first published over a hundred years ago, and serve as the largest collection of African-American folklore. In this four-book series, Julius Lester masterfully retains the flavor of the tales, while dropping the heavy dialect of the Harris originals and adding contemporary language and references-- ensuring that the stories will be understood and enjoyed by new generations of readers. And, of course, the stories are beautifully illuminated by the slyly humorous full-color and black-and-white art of Jerry Pinkney. The result is a treasure of a volume that will delight all ages and belongs on every shelf.
Age
8-12
Text complexity
beginner
Length
696 pages
Book in series
#1
Why to read
- Cultural Significance: 'Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales' by Julius Lester offers readers a comprehensive collection of African American folktales that have played a significant role in the cultural history of the United States. These stories, which include the famous Brer Rabbit tales, provide insight into the oral storytelling traditions of the African American community and their influence on American literature and folklore.
- Moral Lessons: The tales of Uncle Remus are more than just entertaining stories; they are imbued with moral lessons and wisdom. Through the clever and often humorous adventures of characters like Brer Rabbit, readers can learn about human nature, the importance of intelligence and cunning over brute strength, and the value of resilience.
- Linguistic Richness: Julius Lester's retelling of the Uncle Remus tales preserves the unique linguistic style of the original stories, offering readers an authentic experience of the dialect and speech patterns of the time. This linguistic richness adds depth to the narratives and serves as an important aspect of cultural preservation.
- Modern Retelling: While the original Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris have been criticized for their portrayal of African Americans and their use of dialect, Julius Lester's retelling addresses these concerns by providing a modern interpretation that is respectful and sensitive to the cultural context. Lester's version makes the tales more accessible to contemporary readers while maintaining the integrity and spirit of the original stories.