Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria

Shadusa is strong. In fact, he figures he's the strongest man in the world. He tells his wife, Shettu, "From now on, just call me Master Man." But Shettu says, "Quit your foolish boasting. No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone stronger. And watch out, or someday you may meet him."

When Shadusa learns of someone else calling himself "Master Man," he goes out to set the man straight. But the trouble he gets into is far worse than he or even his wife could imagine.

Read this rollicking tall tale from West Africa to find out who's the real Master Man.

TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater.

David Wisniewski is the illustrator of the Caldecott Medal book "The Golem" and many more picture books. Before becoming an illustrator, he was a circus clown, and then a puppeteer. His experience in shadow puppetry led directly to his trademark illustrations in cut paper.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Starred review, The Horn Book
Starred review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred review, School Library Journal

"This tall tale of strength and size packs a double-whammy: while the fresh, funny, and perfectly paced narrative simply screams story hour, the hugely appealing visual presentation will easily win the most reluctant independent reader. With comic-book design and the attendant combination of humor and suspense, Master Man recounts the exploits of a boastful he-man who meets his match -- and then some. . . . The characters in Wisniewski's three-dimensional collage burst through the borders with great animation, and their exaggerated expressions are consistently dead-on. The story's original sources, taken from the Hausa in Nigeria, are documented in a detailed author's note; the unlikely choice of illustrative style for the traditional tale proves unbeatable." -- The Horn Book, Jan.-Feb 2001, starred review

"Caldecott Medalist Wisniewski is clearly the 'Master Man' of paper-cut illustration, powerfully demonstrated again with the delightful illustrations for this traditional tall tale from northern Nigeria. Shepard is a professional storyteller and Wisniewski a former clown and puppeteer, and both understand all the elements of holding an audience spellbound with a successful tall tale. . . . Pull this one out to read to a group of wiggly kids, and show them the power of a masterful picture book." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Part superhero legend and part pourquois tale, the lively, well-paced story finds wonderful expression in Wisniewski's cut-paper collages. . . . The characters' bold expressiveness extends the story's humor and farce and will leave kids giggling through repeated readings. Thorough source notes conclude." -- Gillian Engberg, Booklist

"Shepard and Wisniewski have created a book with wide appeal, and reluctant readers will take this title by storm." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An oversized good time. . . . People, backgrounds, even words spill over the boarders of this comic-strip styled layout in reckless abandon. . . . The pacing is excellent and the narrative is vigorous and humorous." -- Carol Ann Wilson, School Library Journal, Feb. 1, 2001, starred review

"A rollicking, raucous tale. . . . Aaron's prose is, as always, a gift to storytellers. His tales are clean, clear, lively." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Spring 2001

See above.