Seven-year old Roberta is sent to her grandparents’ home in North Carolina when her pregnant mother is put on bed rest. This sensitive story captures an earlier time and the honest emotion of a childhood fears and joys.
Songs often tell stories. African American lullabies sung during slavery were a part of the author’s life, and are retold here with a storyteller’s love of sound. Quilts illustrate the lyrics with a note from McGill whose rich voice is included on a music CD as part of this absorbing package.
Alice McGill retells the tales she heard growing up in North Carolina with the verve and informality of a storyteller. Some are familiar, others are less well known, but all involve Bruh (Brer) Rabbit and his companions from the lore of the southern United States.