Nights With Uncle Remus

About this book

Nights With Uncle Remus is a collection of animal tales told in the voice of the legendary storyteller Uncle Remus, a figure associated with Georgia plantation life and African‑American folklore. The book opens on a rainy night, with the old man nursing his pipe while a curious little boy asks whether geese sleep standing on one leg. Their conversation drifts into a lively recounting of Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit’s mischief, setting the stage for a succession of numbered stories that feature familiar critters, fox, rabbit, lion, terrapin, engaged in clever tricks, moral lessons, and occasional ghostly encounters. The contents list alone, with over thirty chapters, signals a rich anthology rather than a single narrative, and the introductory note explains that this edition has been trimmed of a scholarly foreword to appeal directly to children.

The language is rendered in a dialect that mirrors the oral tradition of the Southern Black community at the turn of the twentieth century, preserving the rhythm and humor of the original folklore while remaining accessible to modern readers. The storytelling is vivid, humorous, and episodic, making it ideal for youngsters who enjoy fast‑moving animal fables, as well as for adults interested in the cultural heritage of African‑American oral literature. Fans of classic trickster tales, folklore enthusiasts, and readers who appreciate richly illustrated, period‑authentic narratives will find this book a rewarding glimpse into the world of Uncle Remus.