A MIllion Fish... More or Less By: Patricia C. McKissach

Multi-Cultural/ International Literature: 
"A Million Fish... More or Less" by Patricia C. Mckissach


             "A Million Fish... More or Less" by Patricia C. McKissach is a tale about a young boy's adventure through the Bayou Clapateaux. Hugh, the young boy, starts his day by running into his father and another male figure in his life at the edge of the Bayou. The two men tell Hugh a story of finding treasure in the Bayou and having to give it up because of all of the elements of the Bayou turning on them. Hugh dismisses this story as a tall tale and leaves them to go fishing. One can say that he is having a good day, seeing as he caught nearly 1 million fish. The story really gets interesting when the creatures of the Bayou decide they are more deserving of the fish than Hugh. When he returns home, no one believes his story, seeing as he only came home with 3 fish. Was Hugh a victim of the Bayou, or a really good story teller like his father and uncle? 

             This would be a very interesting book to read in close connection with learning American History. This book is a very good example of French influence and African-American culture in the South. I think this book is a great representation of the time period and cultures it represents. The language and dialogue that the author uses is very realistic to the people who lived on the Bayou at the time of the setting. The author and illustrator also do a good job of including common motifs that are important to the African American culture in this part of the country. This book would also be a good read when teaching children the archetypical characteristics of a tall tale. There are two possible tall tales in this story. A good activity would be for the children to write there own tall tale about what would happen if they went on an adventure in the "closest" wilderness to them.