Big Jabe Book

I really enjoyed this tall tale set in the South on a plantation. When Addy is sent to catch fish for her master's supper, she finds a boy floating in a basket. Jabe is his name and he calls to the fish and they jump out of the river and into Addy's wagon. As time goes on, Jabe grows tall and can finish work faster than the whole plantation slaves combined. He can weed a field of soybeans before sunup and is as strong as fifty men. But his most amazing feat is he can make slaves vanish to freedom.

I enjoy tall tales and this original tall tale is no exception. I did wish it contained an author's note to give further information about slavery, if this tall tale is based on any folklore from that era/region or is completely original, etc.

And, of course, the illustrations by Kadir Nelson are just as wonderful as I have come to expect from his work.