Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales

by Julius Lester (Adapter), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Brer Rabbit is causing trouble again for his fellow creatures Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and the rest--this time in an omnibus edition that brings together all the stories from Tales of Uncle Remus, More Tales of Uncle Remus, Further Tales of Uncle Remus, and Last Tales of Uncle Remus.The Uncle Remus tales, originally written down by Joel Chandler Harris, were first published over a hundred years ago, and serve as the largest collection of African-American folklore. In this four-book series, Julius Lester masterfully retains the flavor of the tales, while dropping the heavy dialect of the Harris originals and adding contemporary language and references-- ensuring that the stories will be understood and enjoyed by new generations of readers. And, of course, the stories are beautifully illuminated by the slyly humorous full-color and black-and-white art of Jerry Pinkney. The result is a treasure of a volume that will delight all ages and belongs on every shelf.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Childrens, Folk Tales, Fantasy, Juvenile, Folklore

696 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1881

About the author

Julius Lester was an American writer of books for children and adults. He was an academic who taught for 32 years (1971–2003) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was also a photographer, as well as a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs.

Reviews

[RK Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

cue: ol Dirty Bastard rapping “let’s take it back to ‘79!”

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, I'm reading this one with Cole...anyway, I love this team of author/illustrator. Julius Lester's writing style is a pleasure to read aloud, and Jerry Pinkney's watercolor paintings are delightful. We own "Sam and the Tigers," our introduction to these two, and I knew that we were in for a treat when I saw "The Tales of Uncle Remus" at the library. So far, we have not been disappointed!

We had to return this to the library before we could finish it---lots of stories in this book! Both boys liked all the ones we read, and I really enjoyed reading them aloud. One note of caution---it's a good idea to skim these before you read them to young kids, as a few of them are pretty violent (like one in which Brer Wolf boils his young son in the soup pot---also Brer Rabbit kills several characters).

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critically acclaimed author Julius Lester some years ago took on the task of retelling the Uncle Remus tales in four separate books, all beautifully illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. These retold stories won awards for their masterful presentation of the well-loved tales first written down by Joel Chandler Harris over 100 years ago, arguably the largest collection of African-American folklore available. This book is a compilation of the four books. Purists may resent the modernization of these lovely, old stories, but many have and will appreciate the more contemporary language, without the heavy dialect, making them more easily understood.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t say I wasn’t warned! I read Julius Lester’s forward stating these stories were made up for the entertainment of adults. After so many stories of tricking friends and neighbors into beatings and death, I felt a bit jaded. All together it wasn’t as diverting as perhaps maybe just one story a year might be? I can see why as a cultural collection of tales they might be beloved. I also thought the original collection of tales were better at capturing authentic vernacular than Lester’s seemingly forced poor grammar.

[Dahlia Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I laughed SO hard and Brer Rabbit is my favorite character and I can’t find many good words for this book except for old fashioned, amazing, and trickster-y.

[Barbara]

"Uncle Remus"

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird childhood thing: I had these books as a kid, a retelling of the Uncle Remus stories by a black (and Jewish) activist author who was attempting to bring the stories back closer to their folklore roots, and remove the uncomfortable framing device. I have no idea how this holds up in 2020, but as a kid I loved it because hey, animals! So now whenever I hear reviews or essays on Song of the South I always, always have to do a double-take to remember that these aren’t the Brer Rabbit stories I’m familiar with.

[R. Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good even if some of the stories were changed to meet the times. Example: In the story where rabbit races turtle, I don't think the original had rabbit wearing a jogging suit, head band and "Adidas". Still the stories retain their moral lessons. Very entertaining. I read this book between books. since it is a book without a main plot. Now reading a collection of Uncle Remus, written in its original dialect. This will take some time.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed Lester's revamping, although I didn't totally like the modernization of these tales. These aren't the same ones your grandma read to you. But, saying that, I would still pick out some to read to kids and go over Uncle Remus.

[Raelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read about half the stories but enjoyed what I did.

[Lauren R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmother used to read this too me when I was growing up.

[Amz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this to the kids before bed or before naps. They can't seem to get enough

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great- Brer Rabbit sure has fun with the other animals!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester's adaptation captures the flavor of the original folk tales while making it far easier to actually read aloud. My boys (ages 9, 7, and 5) loved this as a read-aloud, and so did I!

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful for this version, because I'm not trying to give support to a racist.

[Magdalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are classic fables that I enjoy and my daughter enjoys as well.