Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit

by David Borgenicht (Retold by), Don Daily (Illustrator), Joel Chandler Harris (Based on)

Follow the adventures of crafty B'rer Rabbit and his friends in seven playful folktales with roots in traditional African stories. Told and retold for hundreds of years, this young-reader's version of these folktales retains the original humor and wisdom, com- plemented by spirited, full-color illustrations by Don Daily.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Classics, Fiction, Animals, Short Stories, Literature

56 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

David Borgenicht is the creator and co-author of the best-selling WORST CASE SCENARIO SURVIVAL HANDBOOK series. He is also the author of dozens of other books, including THE STAR TREK BOOK OF OPPOSITES and HOW TO CON YOUR KID. He is the president and publisher of Quirk Books (www.quirkbooks.com), Philadelphia-based publishers of entertaining, informative, and amusing fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[babyhippoface · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Brer Rabbit. Song of the South was re-released in theaters when I was 6 years old and I fell in love with him. We had a book of Joel Chandler Harris’ stories at home and my mother read for me with what I remember as great enthusiasm (although she was probably exhausted). I also had a book and record of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby. So between those three sources, I have learned that there are some things about Brer Rabbit that are integral to the stories, the very heart of them, that should remain unchanged in any retellings. I have been trying to find updated versions of Harris’ stories for my library because I want to share Brer Rabbit with these kids.

I will admit that personally, I am partial to the Disney versions, and when I read Brer Rabbit’s words and Brer Fox’s words and Brer Bear’s words, I hear the Disney voices in my head, but I don’t want to buy the Disney versions for my library. Some of the versions I’ve seen lack charm in the storytelling. Those original stories were full of so much charm that it needs to transfer over into any retelling. This one had good reviews so I bought it for school, sight unseen. I’m halfway regretting it now. Although the illustrations are fine there are a few small details in the storytelling that are impossible for me to overlook. A nagging feeling tells me there were a couple of things I noticed in the earlier stories of the book, but I did not make notations and I can’t remember them now. Since I can’t remember them, maybe they’re not that big of a deal. But these two are a big deal to me and they both are in the story about the Tar-Baby, my favorite.

As Brer Fox is lying in wait for Brer Rabbit to come down the road and meet the Tar-Baby, he thinks to himself,” He’s just as sassy as a jailbird.” Now, I grew up hearing “sassy as a jaybird,” but never once in my life have I heard “sassy as a jailbird”. I asked my 86 year-old mother if she had ever heard that phrase before and she had never heard it. You can even google the phrase “sassy as a jailbird,” and you will get one response only-- a link to this book on google books. How do you get that phrase wrong? How does it go through editors and yet nobody picks up on that? That’s a big mistake to me. That phrase in that form is not part of the culture and doesn’t fit in a book of folklore.

The other thing that I just cannot get past comes at the very end of the Tar-Baby story, after Brer fox has flung Brer Rabbit into the briar patch. Brer Rabbit emerges from the briar patch completely unharmed and with a giant smile on his face. And anyone who is very familiar with the story at all knows what Brer Rabbit says to Brer Fox: “I was bred and born in the briar patch!”* Not here. Here, he tells Brer Fox, “I told you not to throw me in there …maybe next time you’ll listen.” Then he hops home. No, no, no… all wrong. That line is essential to the story. As my daughters would say: Epic Fail.

*Note: The exact phrase Uncle Remus uses is, "Bred en bawn in a brier-patch, Brer Fox, bred en bawn in a brier-patch!" This last part of the Tar-Baby tale is told in the story “How Mr. Rabbit was Too Sharp for Mr. Fox.”

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loooove these stories!
They remind me of the trip to Grandma's house when I was little.
The parables and life lessons are so cleverly taught and keep you hooked with the wit and humour. Artwork is cozy and well done as well. Definitely one of my favourite children's books.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read this a part of Sonlight's P4/5 curriculum. I was excited to share these classic American stories with my son. He didn't quite "get" them at first. I think he wasn't used to the main character of a story being the "bad guy." Once we discussed that Brer Rabbit, and most of the other characters, shouldn't be acting like that he started to enjoy the stories. The humor of it really clicked for him and this book quickly became a favorite. He shakes his head after reading and says, "Silly Brer Rabbit!" He likes to discuss what the characters should have done after we read. This edition is very fun to read aloud and the illustrations are beautiful and complement the stories well. The larger picture book size also showcases the artwork perfectly. I think it makes it easier for preschool age children to follow along. The dialect and vivid language make the stories very enjoyable.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't find Borgenicht's retellings to be anything special, except I think he may have made Joel Chandler Harris' vernacular easier for kids to understand. The illustrations, however, really made this book-- bright, colorful animals wearing human clothing (except for Mr. Dog, interestingly). Don Daily's style reminded me of Jerry Pinkney, though he doesn't use Pinkney's same art technique. The larger than normal size of the book makes the illustrations an especial feast for the eye. This would make a great readaloud. Recommended!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dive into the lively world of B'rer Rabbit and his clever companions as they embark on a series of playful adventures rooted in traditional African folktales. Passed down through generations, these timeless stories are brought to life in this young-reader's edition, capturing their original humor and wisdom. Accompanied by vibrant, full-color illustrations by Don Daily, these enchanting tales offer entertainment and insight for readers of all ages.

[Brandee Shafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second Brer Rabbit collection I've read to my 7yo, the first being Giant Treasury of Brer Rabbit, retold by Anne Hessey. I preferred this collection over the other mostly because I enjoyed the selections more; they're the best of the best. The other collection includes 3.5x as many stories, but some of them are not worth reading, imo. The Borgenicht retelling is better, and while the Rountree/Bull illustrations in the other collection are delightful, the Daily illustrations in this collection are magical and stunning.

[Jordan Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute classic! One of my all time favorites. It seems childish, but I would read the stories to my middle schoolers. Brer Rabbit's stories always have incredible moral gumption. They are wonderful at helping children understand the difference between right and wrong even in 8th grade. One story in particular, puts Brer Rabbit in a bit of a dilemma with one of his friends. The moral of the story teaches the reader that blackmailing your friends is not okay. Great book to use in any social studies setting.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book at bedtime over the course of a week. It was the highlight of bedtime for my son and my daughter did listen most of the time. This is an modernized version of the Classic stories and I found a few sloppy editing errors throughout, which does bother me in a book that was supposed to be a keepsake for my children. But, errors or not, I'm sure we'll be reading this book of quarreling animals and trickery in the Brer and again in the years to come.

[Jana Henderson (Reviews from the Stacks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'm at that stage of life which C.S. Lewis disparages as 'too old for fairy tales, and not yet old enough to pick them up again' (approximate quotation). I just don't see the appeal here. Why are these good stories to tell anyone, especially children? All the animals are obnoxious, and the stories aren't fun. The illustrations in this edition are impressive in their detail and quality, but even they aren't all that enjoyable to look at. Everyone looks mean. I just don't get it.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven tales about a rabbit and his friends filled with wisdom and humor.

Classroom library shelves for 2nd through 3rd grade. Book can be used with a writer's workshop of retelling or adapting fairy tales or traditional tales. Book can also be used as a read-aloud to lead discussions on choices made.

[Karista · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent retelling of the Uncle Remus stories for a modern audience. This book has a fabulous way of capturing the heart of these tales, while making them acceptable. I enjoyed reading this book out loud to my middle-schoolers during our study of Civil War America.

[EJ Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Borgenichet offers up a personally serviceable iteration of the Uncle Remus stories, but the cadence and feel of the work is too modern to capture the timeless brilliance of Joel Chandler Harris. The illustrations by Don Daily are charming, but feel strangely sterile at times.

[Kristi Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Wanted to share some of the Uncle Remus stories with my kids so I got some from the library. We started with this one and we like the illustrations and the stories that are a little easier to understand. Loved these stories growing up.

[sb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations - very cozy.

The stories were not my favorite. Brer Rabbit was mean to all his friends throughout the entire collection. The tar-baby story was scary, I wouldn’t think kids would like this book but maybe it’s a good way to teach them what not to do.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, I'm 31 years old and I still don't know WTF a "Brer" is (Brother???) and I don't know anyone who does...but flipping to that page with the possum resting on his banjo filled my little heart with joy and I don't really care what else is in this volume. That was the gold right there, for me <3

[Carolyn Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read this book and remember listening to the stories when I was a child. When one can remember stories from their childhood, it shows that the stories were well written and made an impression!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book as a read aloud with my boys. The stories make for great discussions on life lessons.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice illustrations.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The typos in this book were annoying, but otherwise it was cute and my kids liked the stories.

[Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A million stars!

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, modern language.

[Revaldo Hercules]

I have the book in real life

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really loved the beautiful pictures and the tales found in this book. This is an important part of American history and the tales teach lessons in creative ways.

[Yvonne Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandparents got me this me

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brer Rabbit is an asshole

[Susan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Fun stories.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

#11 read aloud
Sonlight PreK Book List

[Ruth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stories, but the illustrations are the real highlight of this book.

[Mike Mcmonagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this out-of-print book for the illustrations. I wasn't disappointed. They capture something from my fifties childhood.

[Tony Otero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations are incredible