The Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan

July 1, 2010
K-Gr 3—-lassic American tales are retold with energetic, cartoon depictions meant to emphasize the outrageous entertainment elements. Both books are summary compilations of many storiess, stripped to their essence, and they feel a little short because of it, with "Pecos Bill"feeling the most choppy and episodic. By replacing the traditional purple, shaggy-dog prose with over-the-top illustrations, each volume does successfully recapture the bombastic scope of the original stories, but the content remains slim. And while both books end with a glossary, discussion questions, and other educational filler, children might have simply wanted more or fuller tales. Of particular note is that in addition to the frenetic artwork in "Paul Bunyan" the book is complemented by excellent design work that mixes advertising tropes with frontier photographic elements to help reinforce the legendary quality of the myth.—"Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH"

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