Second Cousins

Here is another fantastic anthology from Virginia Hamilton, the award-winning author of "House of Dies Drear" and "The People Could Fly". This volume, also featuring the wonderful illustrations of Leo & Diane Dillon, is an eye-opener for those only familiar with European folktales. Hamilton's book is divided into five sections: (1) Her Animal Tales, (2) Her Fairy Tales, (3) Her Supernatural, (4) Her Folkways and Legends, and (5) Her True Tales. Each section contains an average of four stories, accompanied by informative and entertaining background historical data. Young readers will love the author's prose and the illustrators' beautiful paintings. Older readers and parents will gain a greater appreciation for a culture that has been too long ignored. These stories are as valid and fanciful as any of their more familiar European counterparts. The book ends with a list of valuable resources where one can find other examples of African-American folklore.

I had the pleasure of buying the book "Herstories" from the author herself. It is a "Must Have" book if you've read any of her earlier books. Ms. Hamilton told me that many of the stories in this book came handed down to her. As you may already know, Virginia Hamilton died on February 19, 2002. "Herstories" is the perfet gift for those who want to keep her memories alive. The art work that Leo and Diane Dillon bring to the pages of "Herstories" is like nothing that you've ever seen in a childrens book - they make the stories come alive on the pages! Readers note: Please note that spell-check was not avalible to me as I was writing this review!

Although I am an adult, I really enjoyed this book. As Cammy and Elodie are learning to deal with the death of their cousin, Patty Ann, two new cousins come into the picture. Cammy starts to feel betrayed because Elodie likes to be around Jahnina and Gigi. Cammy envy's Jahnina and wishes that she could be more like her with her city ways and computer skills. While Cammy is dealing with her cousins she also starts to wish that her divorced mom and dad will get back together. All of a sudden, Cammy becomes angered when she realizes that Jahnina is not her cousin but her father's second daughter through an afair with another woman. Cammy eventually accepts her sister and realizes that adults are not human and they make mistakes. She also redeems her relationship with her mourning aunt (Patty Ann's mother) who helps her to realize that everyone is not perfect.

The first time I met Virginia Hamiliton was when I read "Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush." I thought, this author rivals Toni Morrison with her vivid language, but she writes for children. How wonderful! "Her Stories : African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales" is a illustrated collection of folk stories that any child would enjoy. Parents could read the tales to a young child to introduce Hamilton's work. Then later the child could begin to read some of the easier Virginia Hamilton stories such as "Cousins." Virginia Hamilton has written books that appeal to elementary, middle, and high school students. A student who finds her early will have a fine author to befriend him/her from kindergarten to high school.

In "Her Stories," African American women tell their tales of magic, supernatural and real life, while emphasizing their strength and imaginations. The Cleverness and determination of African American women is shown.