Mythical Mufferaw: More Adventures of Joe Mufferaw and His Friends Fast Eagle, Broadaxe the Moose, Barrum the Frog, and Bucky the Bea

Margaret Bunel Edwards writes novels for young adults. She is the author
of Little Stitch and The Ocean Between.

This collection of 10 tall tales has Joe Mufferaw and his cronies at its
centre. The book opens with an introduction to Joe and the other
“Shanty Lads,” who get together to pass the time telling “good
yarns.”

One example is “The Contest Between Joe Mufferaw and Paul Bunyan,”
in which Bunyan lifts railway cars and Mufferaw swims up the Rideau
River pulling a long string of heavy timbers. This contest of strength
leads to a bet over which one can deepen the river by 10 feet along its
full length. One starts in Ottawa and the other in Kingston; both work
furiously, pitching mud, stones, and trees, until they both arrive at
Smiths Falls at the same time.

These stories are best when read a few at a time—the feats of
strength and daring and outrageous situations are more enjoyable in
small doses. Black-and-white line sketches appear liberally throughout
the book, illustrating the high points in the different myths, and the
bright cover is attention-getting. Recommended.