The Stories Julian Tells (1981)

This book contains six stories all revolving around the protagonist Julian. Throughout each story Julian demonstrates some excellent qualities but the most predominant one he displays is a wealth of imagination. Whether he is dreaming up fantastical ideas such as catalog cats or putting his wishes and dreams on the tail of a kite Julian shows the whimsical nature of childhood and is a reflection of all childhood imaginations. If children enjoy this book there are also other books in the series and even a spinoff of stories about his little brother Huey. ( )

Publishers Weekly
Julian's stories are magnificent, but they aren't always the truth, and they cause him some trouble. Ages 5-9. ( )

It's been awhile since I read this, but I remember it being delightful, real, sweet, clever, and easy to read. ( )

This series of short stories can be read from start to finish or one chapter at a time. The main characters of Julian and his younger brother Huey appear in each story; they are believable and students aged 7-9 will relate to them easily. Cameron's plots are funny and engaging for students, especially "Pudding like a night on the sea" and "Catalog Cats." This is a great book to give confidence to early independent readers-- especially boys. ( )

The Stories Julian Tells (ages 7-8) is a collection of short stories in chapters by Ann Cameron that can be read alone or sequentially to tell the story of two brothers, big brother Julian and little brother Hughie, and their imaginative escapades. In every chapter, the brothers' parents, father or less frequently mother, play an important role in guiding their adventures with lemon puddings, catalog cats, caveman teeth, and their labors in gardening. The intra-familial relationships are realistically portrayed and timeless, as are the consequences of the boys' behavior. Readers will in particular enjoy the double entendre of the father's discipline for disobeying directions. The African American familial dynamics are represented honestly and without stereotyping. Nonetheless, the Stories Julian Tells is a book for all children about siblings, storytelling, and flights of fancy. ( )