BRER TIGER AND THE BIG WIND

Faulkner (1891-1987) heard this story in the style of Uncle Remus from a former slave who worked on his mother's farm. It's a dry summer, and there's no food anywhere except for a big pear tree — but Brer Tiger won't let any of the other animals near it. When Brer Rabbit learns of this, he has the other animals assemble in the woods and make a big noise. Brer Tiger wakes up and asks what's going on. Brer Rabbit replies: "Oh, Lord, oh, Lord, there's a great big wind that's a-coming through the woods, and it's going to blow all the people off the earth!" Brer Tiger then persuades Brer Rabbit to tie him to a tree, whereby the other animals gain access to his supplies. Faulkner's text demonstrates the work of a consummate storyteller. His narrative — richly ornamented with comic touches, full of turns of phrase that instantly define a character — displays a perfect certainty of touch. Attending to every blade of grass and to every hair on Bret Bear, Wilson imbues her illustrations with a measured peace that brings resonance to the almost mythical atmosphere. This is a peculiar world of talking animals, painted in glowing oranges and browns; the book is not only an example of great storytelling, but a minor work of art.