Mike Fink

Mike fink is a larger than life fold hero. This humorously written and illustrated book tells a tale of Mike Fink, who in this story, left home at 2 days old and landed in the American frontier. throughout his life through a series of daring exploits, he eventually became the "King of the Keelboat men."
Kneel boat men were much in need before the steam ship technology arrived and began an entire new way of transporting goods throughout the river system.

This lushly illustrated book depicts Mike Fink as he wrestles bear, wrestles other kings of the kneel boats to become the best of the best, as he took down man eating alligators, pushed boats uphill against mighty waves, and continued to be a rouwdy challenge to the frontier way of life.

I show more liked this book. It made me laugh and smile. And, the illustrations were highly visual and active. show less

I liked this book for two reasons. First, I enjoyed the constant acton within the story. There is never a dull moment between Mike Fink wrestling bears or boats exploding. The second reason I liked this book was because of the illustrations. They are very detailed and give a great visual to the story. My favorite illustration was the bears lifting the rock dumbbells. The creative pictures made the story come to life and helped the reader broaden their imagination. The message in this story is that you can do anything that you put your mind to no matter who doubts you.

I was not a fan of this book. It sounded like a parody of the story of Paul Bunyan. I honestly am not sure which story came first, but it may be that one influenced the other. The story was easy to follow and slightly entertaining. I really loved how Baby Mike ran away from home. The illustrations matched perfectly and brought the story more to life for me. I especially like the illustrations of the steam boat and row boat fight. All in all, the book was good, just not my favorite. The main point of the story was to show that children of settlers had to be strong to survive. I can see this story being told to small children to inspire them to be strong and to warn them away from becoming keelboat operators.

This was the second time I had read this version of the tale of Mike Fink, and I enjoyed it even more now than when I read it ten years ago. The watercolor-type illustrations are paired perfectly with the story, showing exaggeration of the events that make this tale a tall one. Mike Fink could supposedly wrestle crocodiles into submission and other such feats of strength practically from the time he was a baby, and although he was challenged many times by other river men in the southeastern United States of long ago, he never lost his ranking as the strongest. Although it is filled with exaggeration, students will appreciate it for its illustrations and for its loose history and descriptions of southeastern culture of about 100 years show more ago, as well as for its entertaining story. The themes of determination, loyalty, positivity, and perseverance could also be explored during the reading of this story. show less

In zesty prose and exuberant pictures, Steven Kellogg captures all the fun and adventure from Mike's beginning as a runaway, when he was two days old, until he was King of the Keelboatmen. Mike Fink, the larger-than-life hero of American folklore, was the most daring and rugged frontiersman on any American river.

Mike Fink is another tall tale enhanced and brought to life by Steven Kellogg's colorful and detailed illustrations! Thanks to the retelling of this story and the accompanying illustrations of life along the Mississippi and keelboating, I want to pick up a Mark Twain book!

Mike Fink was king of the keelboatmen -- the strongest, rowdiest bunch of fellows ever to work on the Mississippi. Mike was a whole lot more than a keelboater -- yes, sir! He was a crack shot and the best grizzly and gator wrestler on the river. They don't make 'em like Mike these days, now do they?