The American folk tradition is a rich collection of literature that grew out of the oral tradition. These stories amaze, explain, teach, and amuse the reader of today just as they did the listener of generations ago. Following are the types of folk literature you will encounter in this unit: myths, folk tales, and tall tales. Check out the Additional Questions, Hot Links, Internet Activities, Reading Strategies, and Self-Tests for this unit using the navigation bar at the left.
Comparing Literary Works
José Griego y Maestas and Rudolfo A. Anaya	Chicoria	Mexican American Cuento	914
Jackie Torrence	Brer Possum's Dilemma	African American Tale	917
Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz	Coyote Steals the Sun and Moon	Native American Myth	920
Zora Neale Hurston	Why the Waves Have Whitecaps	African American Tale	923
Comparing Literary Works
Traditional	John Henry	Ballad	934
Harold W. Felton	Pecos Bill: The Cyclone	Tall Tale	938
Carl Sandburg	Paul Bunyan of the North Woods	Tall Tale	945
Davy Crockett	Davy Crockett's Dream	Tall Tale	948