The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales

Illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon.

This major contribution to children’s literature brings the fascinating range of American Black folktales and humor to all children.

In this treasury, we hear the voice of Virginia Hamilton – a voice that echoes the slaves and fugitives from her own American black ancestry as she tells the stories that keep the culture alive. Here are the spirited trickster tales where the wily Bruh Rabbit outwits larger and stronger animals; robust tall tales filled with riddles and laughter; spine-chilling ghost and devil tales; and finally the moving tales of freedom, including true slave narratives as well as fantasy escapes exemplified by the hauntingly beautiful title story, “The People Could Fly.”