 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales
- By Virginia Hamilton
- Genre: Folklore
Common Sense Media says
A spirited retelling of tales old and new.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the recurring theme of the worth of women make this a powerful and poignant read for anyone, but particularly for young African-American women.
What's the story?
A spirited retelling of tales old and new, this is part collection and part celebration of the lore of African-American women. All manner of females--fairies and witches, the brave and the meek, women magical or fundamentally strong--star in this compilation of stories that broaden girls' understanding of where they came from and where they are going.
Is it any good?
The oral history of African-American women has been passed on for centuries through spoken word, spirituals and lullabies, autobiographical musings, and nighttime tales. Virginia Hamilton has collected the best of these, presenting them in a beautiful book illustrated by intensely colorful paintings. The comments that accompany the stories, explaining their history, colloquial language, and imagery, are as fascinating as the stories themselves, and contribute greatly to the sense of self a girl develops when reading these accounts.
The final three stories are oral histories of three African-American women. It is this chapter -- when we meet real women speaking in their own voices -- that brings the rest of the book together, giving perspective and context to the folklore and fairy tales.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the different women in the stories. How are they connected? How are they different? Which ones do you admire most? Do any of them disappoint you?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
| Author: | Virginia Hamilton |
| Illustrators: | Diane Dillon, Leo Dillon |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Folklore |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1995 |
| Number of pages: | 114 |
| Hardcover price: | $0.00 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
vote now
Will you read Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales?
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
