Old Dry Frye

by Paul Brett Johnson

One man's obsession with fried chicken causes him to go to great lengths to get every tasty morsel out of his favorite meal, in a humorous retelling of an Appalachian folktale. Reprint.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Paul Brett was a painter and children’s book writer/illustrator who grew up in the small town of Mousie, Kentucky, in Knott County. He was asked once in an interview to locate Mousie. He said: “Mousie is over there around Onion Blade, Dismal, Possum Trot, Sassafras, and Right and Left Beaver. But, if you haven’t been to Knott County, you may not be able to locate those places, either.”
That response was quintessential Paul Brett Johnson, a man of deep humor, good will, and immense artistic talent who honored his mountain upbringing in his work. Because he showed talent as a young child, his parents secured art lessons for him, and he made drawing and painting his life’s work.
After nearly a decade of trying to break through in the children’s book market, he finally saw success in 1993 with the release of The Cow Who Wouldn’t Come Down, a School Library Journal Best Book, an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and one of the New York Public Library's "One Hundred Books for Reading and Sharing." He eventually produced two companion books of these funny, outrageous tales of a farm woman and her adventurous animals, The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff, and The Pig Who Ran a Red Light. His art was whimsical, colorful, and full of motion that delighted children and adults alike. He was most fond of giving animals a sly (and hilarious) sense of humor and keen intelligence—traits that often matched his own. Eventually he wrote and illustrated over 20 books for children and served as illustrator for several other children’s book writers including George Ella Lyon, James Still, and Margaret Hodges.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 7 year old read at school and couldn’t stop talking about it. A funny little southern USA story about a preacher who really likes fried chicken but dies. Each person worries they killed the preacher so they hide the body. Not the greatest of messages but it was funny. Good colourful illustrations.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books to read aloud to my kids-- I do a mighty fine Southern drawl. ;)

[Anna W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious tall tale about an accidental death that several different people attempt to "pass off" on others as being their fault.

I would not read this if you are offended by death or do not like "hick-ish" accents.

I, however, read this story in the most hick-like accent I could, and I had the teachers and students laughing away. I thought the story was funny and it is, of course, meant to be so. It's like a murder-mystery without the scary suspense or actual murder.

The moral of the story, according to students is:
Don't eat chicken too fast.
Don't lie.
Don't hide a body, just bury it.
Don't hit someone if you don't know who they are.
If you want to kill a possum, make sure you're aiming at a possum.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m kind of amazed this got published. I could see lots of parents complaining. It’s like weekend at Bernie's for kids. Old Dry Frye was a chicken lovin’ preacher. One day at a farm house he choked on chicken and died. Not wanting to be blamed for his death, the farmer put the body in the neighbors chicken coop. The story rolls down hill from there, with each next person moving the body. It was a fun book, but man would my library get complaints if it was in the collection.

[Erin Mae Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Appalachian children's story

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Beverly's suggestion I bought this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the southern slang and the funny pictures. My girls really enjoyed it, too.

[Adam Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

That poor old guy just wanted some chicken, then you just gotta figure out what to do with the body.

[Tristan Doane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of humor and fun, this a great read for the young ones who need a laugh. But it also teaches us that it is wrong to steal, and that nothing good comes after stealing.

[Virginia Brace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta know your audience when you read this tall tale to a group! The slap stick comedy in this tall tale is wonderful, but some might object to the dead body of the preacher being lugged around from place to place. Really a hoot!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a good, humorous tale!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny tall tale from the South.

[Beth Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I thought this was funny. And then I read it to my daughter and realized I was reading a story up people trying to hide a dead body (of a minister no less) and have given this away.

[Valinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun to read out loud; cute pictures.

[Lisa Delaine Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

folktales
Appalachian