Pecos Bill

Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg

Pecos Bill is one of the more "different" Kellogg tall tales books. Bill's family had fled the east coast for a place less crowded. They were going to settle in Texas, but decided to leave when another family moved in. Alas, baby Bill got pulled out of the wagon by a fish. He was raised by animals and thought he was a wolf until another man showed up. He had strength to kill snakes and used one as a rope to help herd the untamable cattle. There were various crazy experiences about capturing a horse, raising cows on steep hills and having a bride that goes into orbit. Finally, he catches his bride and discovers his long-lost family.

Mike Fink

Mike Fink by Steven Kellogg (Author, Illustrator)

Mike Fink was a precocious child in early America. He was almost a perfect shot with a rifle and was strong, especially for his small size. He wanted to run keelboats down the Mississippi River. He challenged one gruff man, and was defeated, getting thrown to the rockies. There he trained by wrestling bears. In his rematch with the man, he won. He was then able to use his strength to run keelboats. He was the strongest of the boatman. However, steamers soon plied the river. He challenged them to a duel. The steam boat destroyed the keelboat, but fink was able to beat the steamboat captain. This is a legendary tale that I had heard before. The story is well told and illustrated in this story.