Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review Whether humorous or frightening, the American black folktales in this collection are emotionally compelling. Barnes deftly handles the dialect in which the tales were written, though younger listeners may find the authentic speech patterns challenging. For the most part, Barnes brings many well-known characters to life imal, human, or spirit parting care and respect for their place in African American lore. However, there are a handful of characters (for example, John in "Better Wait Till Martin Comes") who come across as stereotypical. But the balance of the production remains strong. A particular highlight is Barnes' soulful telling of the painful yet hopeful "The People Could Fly." With intermittent harmonica, fiddle, and banjo licks, this audio maintains an intimate feel and is both entertaining and educational.

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 2-6 Some Africans flew on shiny black wings before their capture into slavery, and though they shed their plumes when forced to board the crowded slave ships, those people with the flying magic still had their special power. Hamilton's version of this old tale of longing and hope was the title story of her 1985 collection (Knopf); it has been read, anthologized, and told so often as to seem truly timeless. The Dillons add much to savor in this elegant picture-book rendering. A richly robed band of men, women, and children flying happily over an African landscape wraps around the book cover, rooting the story in early times. Black endpapers embossed with shiny feathers mark the loss of wings. Rich, deep-hued paintings decorate each spread, a smaller view on the left with a larger scene on the right. A simple framing scheme encases art and text in thick lines on three sides; the top remains open and draws the eye upward with the ascending figures. Early scenes of slave misery ground viewers with darkened tones. Sadly, not all of the people could fly. But those who couldn't continued to tell the marvelous tale, even in their eventual freedom. The book is a lovely tribute to Hamilton. Some of her original notes on the tale appear as preface and afterword. Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Horn Book (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

This title story from the late Virginia Hamilton's brilliant collection of American black folktales The People Could Fly is now reissued as a stand-alone picture book, handsomely illustrated in full color. The Dillons, who also illustrated the original collection, fill the book with powerful images.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This widely lauded anthology boasts stunning black-and-white artwork and stirringly told stories with such evocative titles as The Beautiful Girl of the Moon Tower'' andWiley, His Mama, and the Hairy Man.'' All ages. (Feb.)