We read Homer Price as a family a while back, and when I heard about Centerburg Tales, I decided we ought to read this one, too—it sounded just as fun. This collection of stories feels a lot more off-the-wall than the first one, but still delightfully playful and engaging. I doubt I’ll ever forget Sparrow Courthouse or the giant ragweeds. We had a lot of laughs as we read these tall tales. It made for a fun read-aloud. ( )

A collection of short stories surrounding the strange citizens of the town of Centerburg. ( )

Grandpa Hercules ?á(tall tales)
?á ?á ?áThe Hide-a-Ride (too silly to be racist against Indian braves")
?á ?á ?áSparrow Courthouse (clock hands subject to weight of birds)
?á ?á ?áLooking for Gold (Hopper adds his nuggets to pouches tied to his waist... then takes of his clothes to bathe....)
?á ?á ?áThe Gravitty-Bitties (a cereal salesman is inspired by the previous story)
Experiment 13 (a tax on ragweed seeds?)
Ever So Much More So (a 'snake oil' salesman)
Pie and Punch and You-Know-Whats (oh that poor library)" ( )

It's been decades since I read Centerburg Tales, but the three stories included here are apparently taken from that larger book... which I do plan to reread soonish. ?áHere we enjoy the antics of the simple folks of this tiny mid-century town in Experiment 13," "Ever So Much More So," and "Pie and Punch and You-Know-Whats." ?áDelightful, but I'll reserve the higher rating for the full collection of stories." ( )

Great collection of feel-good stories - including the old favorites, "Ever So Much More So", "The Gravitty-Bitties", and "Pie and Punch and You-Know-Whats" (about the song you just can't get out of your head). ( )