The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales told by Virginia Hamilton

 

Hamilton, Virginia; illustrated by Dillion, Diane and Dillion, Leo. The People Could Fly. Alfred A. Knopf, 1985. Ages 4-8. 

    This collection opens with an introduction that contextualizes the background of the included black folktales. This collection aims to educate and share the historic folktales with modern audiences. This collection is comprised of 4 sections and a total of 24 folktales. The 4 sections in which these folktales are grouped are "Animal Tales", "Tales of the Real, Extravagant, and Fanciful", "Tales of the Supernatural", and "Slave Tales of Freedom". The folktales included are written in Gullah English, a black English dialect, and include a note at the end of each folktale giving more insight into the meaning. 

    The collection was created by Virginia Hamilton, a celebrated children's author who won every major children's literature award and classified her work as "liberation literature." The illustrators are husband and wife duo Leo and Dianne Dillon, two-time Caldecott winners. The accolades received by the author and illustrator highlight their authority. Furthermore, they make sure to credit their inspiration by including a bibliography, notes after every story, and an introduction with context. As sources of authority, the author maintains the linguistic style of the folktales. Because of the irregularities in the text, reading out loud makes it easier to understand. 
    
    The stories could be read individually or in a classroom to accompany a lesson. The stories have a good balance of folktales that appeal to kids and adults, even providing opportunities to incorporate some of these folktales into educational environments. The themes that are addressed through these folktales include slavery, desire for freedom, and other hardships. The illustrations are minimal and appear in black and white. They are stylized and beautifully detailed to help the readers visualize the story. The Illustrations are sprinkled throughout the collection and, while minimal, match the tone of the folktales.  

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