New York's Bravest

Title: New York’s Bravest

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrator: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

Publisher: Knoph Publishers http://knopf.knopfdoubleday.com/

Publication Date: 2002

Genre: Folk Tale, Picture Book

Audience: Gr. 3 – 5

Overview: New York’s Bravest is a little know American Tall Tale about a New York firefighter from the 1840s named Mose Humphrey. Over the years, legends about Mose’s strength grew out of proportion and this book tells a tale about a heroic firefighter who was eight feet tale and was able to swim the Hudson in two strokes. Mose was afraid of no fire. He led his team of firefights to any and every fire. One day Mose and his team went to put out the fire, and once the fire was out, Mose was gone. Mose never return, but many say he is always there. Mose Humphrey is the spirit of New York City.

Activity: This book could be paired with a lesson about tall tales inspired by real people. For example, Johnny Appleseed. You could have he children create a class tall tale that is collaboratively written.

Reviewer’s Name: Paige Martin