HAILSTONES & HOOP SNAKES: TALL TALES FROM THE GENERAL STORE Ted Stone. Saskatoon, SK: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1984. 125pp., paper, $9.95. ISBN 0-88833-137-1. CIP. Subject Headings: Tall tales-Prairie Provinces. Legends-Prairie Provinces. Grades 7 and up / Ages 12 and up Reviewed by Janet Goldack. Volume 13 Number 2 1985 March In twenty-four tall tales of Canada's past, a mythical prairie community (Deer River) and fictitious characters (Pete, Sparky and Jake) are brought to life by Ted Stone, a skillful and imaginative writer, and weekly columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press. These three real characters, who, in "just plain good conversation," tell whoppers with straight faces and ultimate sincerity, fill typical prairie meeting places, such as the coffee shop, general store and post office, with the warmth of "authentic" oral history. Black and white illustrations only add to the hilarity of these Canadian style Paul Bunyan tales, in which the reader feels a grain of truth may exist somewhere - but where? The author attempts to teach about storytelling in two chapters: "Something about Storytelling" and "Epilogue: How to Tell a Story", which help to give insight into this literary form and into the author's perspective of life. This publication is typical prairie humour, polished and performed for all of Canada to enjoy. Janet E. Goldack, Grant Park S.S., Winnipeg, MB.