Stories of Annie Christmas have been included in several collections of folktales from the Southern United States. Like John Henry, the character may have been based on a real person. She has been described as a female counterpart of the John Henry character, another supernaturally strong African American folklore character. I write for my enjoyment and theirs.Annie Christmas or flatboat Annie is a character in the folklore and tall tales of Louisiana, described as a 7 feet (2.1 m) tall, supernaturally strong African-American woman keelboat captain. “I write books for children and their older allies. The 1996 Honor Titles Storytelling World Award Together, stories, illustrations, and the author’s notes combine to create a remarkable book that honors our heritage while giving us hope and inspiration for the future.Ī “Hungry Mind Review” 1996 Children’s Book of Distinction Her Stories broadens our understanding of ourselves as well as others-our joys, fears, and wishes as individuals and as a community. Closing the book, three true autobiographical stories provide readers with intimate personal accounts of events in African American history, from slave times to the present. Annie Christmas, the notorious seven-foot-tall riverboat operator, shares the stage with Cat Woman, a New Orleans vampire tiny fairy folk make a rare appearance, and the unforgettable Catskinella, a strong-minded beauty, outwits her father and goes on to win her prince. Vibrant paintings by Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon glow with the drama and mystery of each tale while reflecting the warmth and beauty of the people who first told them.įrom lighthearted trickster tales such as “Little Girl and Buh Rabby” to the enchanted world of “Mary Belle and the Mermaid,” Her Stories presents a broad range of folktales, fairy tales, and legendary women. Gracefully told by Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton, the nineteen stories in this book focus on the magical lore and wondrous imaginings of African American women.

African American Folktales, Fairy Tales and True Talesĭedicated to our mothers and grandmothers, aunts and great-aunts, Her Stories is a spirited celebration of our strength, our dreams, and the precious gift of life and love from generation to generation.

Her stories african american folktales