There are many heroic figures in American Tall Tales that are perfect for storytime, from Paul Bunyan to Thunder Rose. For a craft project, make these paper puppets of Paul Bunyan and his Ox.
Flora, James. THE DAY THE COW SNEEZED. Originally published in 1957, this rollicking slapstick tale involves a mouse, cat, goat and a steamroller!
Hester, Denia. GRANDMA LENA’S BIG OL’ TURNIP. In this tall tale version of the folktale, it takes everyone on the farm to pull up this vegetable. Act out the story with volunteers from the audience.
Isaacs, Anne. SWAMP ANGEL. The title character wrestles a bear to save the winter supplies.
Kellogg, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN. Check out any of Kellogg’s delightful adaptations of tall tales, illustrated with his signature color cartoons.
Miller, Bobbi. MISS SALLY ANN AND THE PANTHER. Davy Crockett’s friend Sally Ann wrestles a panther who tries to take her bear skin.
Nolen, Jerdine. THUNDER ROSE. One of the few tales featuring an African-American female hero, Thunder Rose heads off a stampede and stops a tornado.
Osborne, Mary Pope. NEW YORK’S BRAVEST. One of the few tall tales set in the city, this features a firefighter of incredible strength.
Williams, Suzanne. LIBRARY LIL. A tough talking librarian motivates the whole town to read – even the motorcycle gang!
Wilson, Karma. WHOPPER CAKE. Grandpa makes grandma a huge birthday cake in this jolly rhyming story.
Wood, Audrey. THE BUNYANS. In this extension of the Paul Bunyan tale, he marries and has two children. The family creates many U.S. landmarks.