Mike Fink

With "Mike Fink," author and illustrator Steve Kellogg gathers up in one story all the classic elements of an American tall tale: rasslin' with bears, lifting boats over one's head, leaping across great divides, kicking out the slats in one's cradle, and more.

Mike Fink is a young man with a lot to prove and a good heart. Kellogg endows him with burly good looks and a great big smile, even as he has to twist a few arms to get attention paid to his exploits. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and boisterous, which perfectly suits the rhythm of the text. Lots of fun for any kid who enjoys tall tales (especially tall tales with a Mark Twainesque flavor, as this has rivers and steamboats a-plenty!).

MIke Fink is a story with lots of surprises and great pictures.Mike was able to do many things that seemed impossible. If you want to read about a boy who was determined to get what he wanted, this is the book for you.Our whole class really liked hearing this story.

It is clear that this is a tall tale as Mike runs away from home at age two days. The illustrations are very well done. BUT Mike Fink was a real person, and I would prefer a real story about the real character instead of this yarn. Kellogg could have made up a character and told the same story. It has nothing to do with the real Mike Fink.