Get kids thinking
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Have you ever read a story that was too crazy to be true? Chances are it could be a tall tale!
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Ask kids if they've ever heard a tall tale. Are there any bigger-than-life characters they can
think of? Paul Bunyan? John Henry?
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Read some tall tales together. See a selected list of books on the
next page, or visit Start with a Book: Folktales, Fairy Tales and Myths
for more recommended books.
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Talk about the characteristics of tall tales — especially exaggeration
(also called hyperbole) and humor.
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Talk about the beginning, middle, and end of the tall tales you read together.
Writing activity
For this activity, kids will write an original tall tale about someone in their family or a close
family friend.
Individual: each child chooses a family member or family friend and works independently.
Small groups: Siblings can work collaboratively on their family tall tale.
Supplies
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Pencils, pens, and art supplies: colored pencils, markers, crayons
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Drawing paper or construction paper: 8-1/2 x 11 or larger (2 sheets per child)
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Construction paper or cardboard, felt, yarn, and other decorative materials
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Scotch tape, scissors, school glue
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Tall Tale brainstorming worksheet (included in packet)
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Tall Tale sentence frames worksheet (optional, included in packet)
2
Tall Tales
Let's get started
Ask kids to think about which family member they each want to write a funny “superhero”
kind of story about. Ask: Do you have an uncle who loves to tell stories about his great
adventures as a young man? Or a grandmother who really does seem to have superpowers?
Remind the kids that every tall tale has action and a problem (big or little) that needs to be
solved. What problem does your tall tale character have?
Show the kids how to use the Tale Tale brainstorming worksheet to jot down their
thoughts about the characters, setting (time and place where the tale happens), the
problem or obstacle that's in the way, and how the problem is solved.
Don't forget to include lots of exagerrated details and funny stu in that last column —
that's an important part of every tall tale! Adults may want to model how to use the
brainstorming worksheet with an example of their own family member.
With younger kids, you can guide them in using our Tall Tale sentence frames worksheet to
write out a simple story, and skip the brainstorming, draft, and revision stages. Younger kids
who aren't yet writing can dictate their stories to an adult.
Next, it's time to write the tall tale. Tell the kids to use their brainstorming ideas to write a
draft on a new sheet of plain paper. Suggest that they read their stories out loud and see if
they want to make any changes (revisions) before carefully writing out a nal version on a
new sheet of paper.
Option: We've provided a set of decorative templates that kids can use for the nal versions
of their tall tales. They are included at the end of this packet.
Remind the kids to use descriptive words and exagerration to bring their story to life. For
example, instead of, "My aunt had a really big frying pan ..." one could say "My aunt had an
enormous frying pan, wider than the Mississippi River ..."
Each child should give their tall tale a descriptive title. Kids can also include an original
drawing if they like.
5
Tall Tales
Sharing our work
Once the tall tales are nished, gather everyone together in a circle to read the stories out
loud. Kids can choose to memorize their stories and present them without notes — in
keeping with the oral storytelling tradition. Kids can be as dramatic as they like in sharing
their tall tales.
Tell kids to share their tall tale with family and friends. They can invite listeners by asking,
“Have you ever heard about the adventures of [insert character name]?”
Try this!
Perform It: Have kids make a simple prop out of paper, cardboard, or other found materials
that will help dramatize their tall tales when read out loud.
Record It: Help kids to record their tall tales on a smart phone (audio or video) and share
with their extended families.
Tall Tale Parade: Kids could also pick their favorite Tall Tale character from one of the books
you've read together and make a costume with props from everyday materials. If you have a
big enough group, put on a parade or "convention" where the characters get together and
share their stories orally.
For more reading, writing, and learning resources, visit www.StartWithABook.org
6
Tall Tales
Character What special characteristics does he or
she have?
Who is the hero
or heroine?
Setting What does the place look like?
Where and when
does your tall tale
take place?
Plot How does your character solve the
problem and overcome the obstacles?
What problem does
your hero or heroine
need to solve?
What obstacles need
to be overcome?
What adventures happen along the way?
Exaggerations & funny stu
Brainstorming!
My Tall Tale
To get started: think about the name of your hero and a second character who has a
problem that needs to be solved. Who are your two characters? What problem does your
hero need to solve?
_______________________________ was the _____________________________ man/woman in
(name of hero) (superlative adjective, such as fastest, smartest, wiliest ...)
the state of ____________________________. Everyone for_______________ miles around
(state’s name) (number of miles)
knew _________________________ and loved to tell and retell stories of his/her amazing feats.
(hero’s name)
Now one day __________________________ went to visit ____________________________.
(hero’s name) (2nd character’s name)
____________________________ had been having big problems with
(2nd character’s name)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(explain the 2nd character’s problem)
_____________________________ explained his/her problem. And that was all it took for
(2nd character’s name)
_____________________________ to spring into action!
(hero’s name)
My Tall Tale
Story Frame
Right away,
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Describe how your hero solved the 2nd character’s problem)
_____________________________ problem was solved, and the folks in _______________________
(2nd character’s name) (state)
now had a new tale to tell about _______________________________!
(hero’s name)
My Tall Tale
Story Frame
My Tall Tale
Title: ________________________________________________
Title: ________________________________________________
My Tall Tale
My Tall Tale
