Kentucky Folktales

Published by University Press of Kentucky, 2012.

Twenty-six tales written as close as possible to how Mary retells them orally. Each tale followed by commentary about the art, process and practice of storytelling relevant to that particular story.  Tale source notes also included. 

"Hamilton's book is lively, convincing, unforgettable. This is a book tellers will read again and again, so rich and vivid is its approach."  Jo Radner, Past President, National Storytelling Network

"Lovers of story will find a lot to delight them in this book." Margaret Read MacDonald, author of Ten Traditional Tales

Spooky stories - 

• Sam'l (and the Graveyard Worm) - Sam'l is dead, but being dead is not as he expected!
• The Tailypo - A man eats a hairy tale, and then...
• Promises to Keep - Historical fiction set in the Civil War, based on a Kentucky-collected legend.
• The Beaded Bag - A Victorian retelling of a vanishing hitchhiker tale (also available on KET; select Video on this website to watch it)
• The Men in the Open Grave - When traveling in the dark, perhaps a graveyard shortcut isn't the best choice!
• Sop Doll - Jack, that Appalachian hero, encounters a town dealing with witches.
• Mr. Fox - When Lady Mary's beau end up being not the fellow she thought, she takes matters into her own hands.
• The Woman in Brown - A mysterious young woman visits a general store for a very compelling reason.

"Hamilton's vocal special effects are excellent. Her voice changes for different characters bring them to life. Her 'special sounds' (animals, groans, screeches, etc.) are spooky and fun."  School Library Journal review of "Haunting Tales"

 Eight stories – 

• The Bun - No doubt this tale will remind you of that long time classic Gingerbread Man. 
• Jack and the Wish Giver - A story of clever wishing.
• Coyote’s Tail - Coyote succeeds, or does he?
• The King and His Advisor - When a king imprisons his advisor, a surprise awaits.
• Drakestail - Sing along with Drakestail as he strives for an audience with the king.
• The Poor Man and the Rich Man’s Purse - Thankfully, a wise rabbi can solve a problem.
• 1000 Ideas - When a fox and a crane are both trapped, which one has a plan?
•  Rabbit and the Alligators - Ever-resourceful rabbit plays a trick that succeeds (mostly).

2010 Storytelling World Honor Title for Storytelling Recordings.

A variety of tales true to Kentucky's narrative traditions 

• The Farmer's Smart Daughter -  This tale of cleverness is a Kentucky version of a tale in the folklore of many European cultures.
• Lazy Jack - Jack, that long time Appalachian hero, finds his way with "help" from his mother.
• Some Dog - Set on the farm where I grew up, here's a tale of Some Dog's epic adventures.
• Stormwalker -  Here's a true ghostly tale.
• Jeff Rides the Rides - My youngest brother's adventure became family lore.
• Jump Rope Kingdom - Here's the true story of a girl hero from my 1st grade year.

 (Note: All except “Lazy Jack” are also printed in Mary’s book.) 

Tales of active heroines

• Kate Crackernuts - a folktale from Scotland featuring a step-sister's kindness 
• Three Sisters and the Troll - a folktale from Norway with an observant youngest sister - hooray for her! 
• Eleven Cinderellas - a unique multicultural mash up  -- one time through the Cinderella plot, while stopping off for details from traditional Cinderella stories in eleven different cultures

- 2006 Winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award

- 2007 Storytelling World Award Winner for Storytelling Recordings 

- Sisters All. . . and One Troll is an honored recipient of an iParenting Media Award.