In a companion volume to The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales (Knopf, 1985), Hamilton retells 19 tales with female protagonists which have been passed down from generation to generation by African-American women. The tales are divided into five sections: animal stories; fairy tales; the supernatural; folkways and legends; and true tales. Each section is introduced by an author's note and includes three or four stories. Each tale is told in a distinctive voice and followed by commentary that places the story in a historical and cultural context. Leo and Diane Dillon's distinguished color paintings add to the overall elegance of this beautifully designed volume. (Ages 7-14)

Gracefully told by Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton, this collection of 19 stories focuses on the magical lore and wondrous imaginings of Black women.

Vibrant paintings by Caldecott Medallists Leo and Diane Dillon glow with the drama and mystery of each tale while reflecting the warmth and beauty of the people who first told them.