Big Jabe

Kadir Nelson's beautiful, realistic, vivid human illustrations capture the period, the setting, the wonder and the magic of Big Jabe. With his feats, Big Jabe also reminds one of Krishna as a boy. The powerful antislavery message could not have a better children's fiction spokesman than the giant-of-heart Big Jabe. Fiction, with its hyperboles and suspension of disbelief, often is truer than truth, and Big Jabe. rings with sincerity.

This story is a rather original tall tale that revolves around the lives of slaves who live on a plantation. You will never look at another pear tree the same way after your read this story! It will remind you, somewhat, of the tale of Paul Bunyan.

Big Jabe is the story of how a child found floating down the river becomes a hero and savior of his people during the time of slavery. Jabe is found by Addy as she is out fishing at the river for her master. When Addy shows kindness to him, he rewards her by giving her the biggest catch of fish she has ever had. Not only does Jabe help Addy, but within a season's time, the boy Jabe grows to be a full gtown man who can do the work of twenty. He assists all the slaves in doing their tasks and before long, the master's slaves suddenly begin to disappear. In this tall tale Nolen has weaved examples from Biblical stories and other legendary tall tales like Johnny Appleseed and John Henry. The bright watercolor paintings done by the illustrator enhance the story's beauty and brings all of the characters in Nolen's Big Jabe to life. Once again, Nolen has a winner on her hands!