Explains how a botched mission by two angels created the town of fools known as Chelm
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Grade 1-3?Anecdotal episodes of life in the fabled village of Chelm are told in one and two sentence paragraphs using modern language that retains no Yiddish flavoring or inflection. What was a barrel of borsht in Solomon Simon's The Wise Men of Helm (Behrman, 1942) becomes a water barrel. The humorous ponderings and discussions of the village elders, so elemental to Eastern European Jewish life and so much a part of Isaac Bashevis Singer's stories, are nowhere in evidence. In fact, one is barely aware that these are Jewish stories beyond the author's note and the mention of the Grand Rabbi. The origin of the town is the connecting thread between the title and the beginning and end of the story, but by simplifying the tales to reach a picture-book audience, the details and descriptions of daily life are lost. There is a subtle difference between calling Chelmites fools and calling them stupid. Fools, as depicted by Simon and Singer, just can't seem to make a sensible decision even though their hearts are in the right place while stupid, as used so often in this book, connotes a lack of intelligence. The gouache paintings are colorful but too indistinct to establish a proper sense of place.?Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The team behind Dybbuk (1996) have collaborated on a winsome story set in the legendary town of Chelm, charting its origins to the angel carrying a bag of ``stupid souls'' and mistakenly spilling them all in one town. Prose recounts many of the exploits in which ``the wise men and women . . . put their brilliant minds together and solve their problems.'' Whether it's going barefoot in the snow to keep their shoes from getting wet or wearing their hats upside down to keep them dry, the people of Chelm are full of ideas. A need to light up the night leads the townspeople to set a fire and to then call upon the firemen who smother the flames with logs. The town burns down and the fools of Chelm are disbursed, just as ``the angels had intended.'' Podwal's sly yet strikingly beautiful gouache and colored-pencil paintings, using impressionistic brush strokes and skewed perspectives to render the travails of the fools, are a perfect foil for Prose's understated, humorous narrative. Families will find this is a savory treat for sharing. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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Condition: Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00064131250
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Seller: Goodwill of Colorado, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). This item is in overall acceptable condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have heavy wear including creases, bends, edge wear, curled corners or minor tears as well as stickers or sticker-residue. Pages are intact but may have minor curls, bends or moderate to considerable highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have heavy wear. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. A well-read copy overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!. Seller Inventory # 466SUS001ST1
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). 1st. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5757320-6
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Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP96095306
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Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP95791443
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP96095306
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001750410
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Hardcover. Illustrated by Mark Podwal (illustrator). 9 x 11 1/4" Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 49816
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Hardbound. Condition: Very Good. Podwal, Mark H. (illustrator). First Edition. Quarto in dust jacket, 24 pp., color illustrations throughout by Mark Podwal. Seller Inventory # 9084
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Seller: Betty Mittendorf /Tiffany Power BKSLINEN, Ralston, NE, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Mark Podwal (illustrator). 1st Edition. Color illustration on cover and dj. Dj in mylar wrap. Int. good. Color illustrations. Usual library markings and flaws. Seller Inventory # 147496B
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