AMERICAN FOLKLORE
Folklore includes fairy tales, fables, myths, legends and tall tales that people told each other over the years. Later the stories were written down. The plot of a folk story may be old, but details are likely to change over time as it is told and retold.
TALL TALES
Tall Tale characters were born from various combinations of historical facts, the storytelling of ordinary people, and the imaginations of professional writers. Throughout history people have written and told stories about their heroes. Some stories were about real heroes such as Annie Oakley and Johnny Appleseed, some were make-believe such as Slue-Foot Sue and Pecos Bill.
A tall tale is a special kind of hero story because the heroes of tall tales are "larger than life". They are bigger or stronger than real people. They solve problems in ways that are hard to believe. Many of the elements of the story are exaggerated. This makes tall tales fun to read.
TALL TALE HEROES
Select one of the following tall tale heroes of your choice,and read about their history.
