The Jack Tales — Richard Chase

From climbing beanstalks to confronting beasts, the classic collection of “lively, entertaining stories . . . a valuable contribution to American folklore” (The New York Times).
 
These rollicking folk tales from the southern Appalachians center on the many adventures of the irrepressible Jack, and showcase the wit and wisdom passed down from generation to generation through the oral tradition. It provides hours of delight for children -- as well as an enjoyable and enlightening read for students of folklore and storytelling.
 
“Humor, freshness, colorful American background, and the use of one character as a central figure in the cycle mark these eighteen folk tales, told here in the dialect of the mountain country of North Carolina.” -- Booklist
 
“Filled from cover to cover with good, rousing, exciting stories.” -- Saturday Review of Literature
 
“An appendix of sources and parallel themes to be found in other folklore is a scholarly and fascinating contribution . . . I'm glad it is placed at the end so that children will not be deterred from reading the stories for sheer fun.” -- Kirkus Reviews