Solomon and the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590783077 ISBN 13: 9781590783078

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2006

Synopsis

A treasure trove of forty-three religious, wisdom, riddle, and trickster Jewish folktales that have been told near the hearth, at the table, and in the synagogue for centuries. Sheldon Oberman, a master storyteller, retells the tales with simplicity and grace, making them perfect for performing and reading aloud. Peninnah Schram, herself an acclaimed storyteller and folklorist, provides lively notes and commentary that examine the meaning of each tale and its place in history.

About this title

About the Author:

Sheldon Oberman wrote two Sydney Taylor Honor Award-winning books--The Wisdom Bird and The Always Prayer Shawl, which also won a National Jewish Book Award. He taught at Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the Sheldon Oberman Writing Award has been established in his honor.

Peninnah Schram is a recipient of the Covenant Award for Outstanding Educator, awarded by The Covenant Foundation, and winner of the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network. Ms. Schram also has been awarded the National Storytellers Network Lifetime Achievement Award for "sustained and exemplary contributions to storytelling in America." She lives in New York City.

Review:

"The stories, wonderful for storytelling and sharing, are accessible even to listeners younger than the target audience, and the notes and commentary will provide older children with context and history." --Booklist

"A gold mine for storytellers and educators alike." --School Library Journal

"Storytellers, librarians, teachers, parents, writers, and illustrators - rejoice! . . . In an introduction that alone is worth the price of the book, Peninnah Schram discusses the characteristics of Jewish folklore and calls this book, Oberman's last one, his legacy. Everything that a collection of folklore should have is here. Before each story, there are brief introductory remarks that supply background, historical setting, or thematic content. The stories themselves are fairly short, from a paragraph to a few pages, and they beg to be told to children. . . . Following each story is a note by Oberman, additional commentary written by Schram, plus sources and variants, and motif numbers from the Israel Folktale Archives (IFA). These sections are invaluable resources for adults, whose understanding of each story and Jewish folklore in general will be increased by reading them. . . . The fact that many of these stories have not been retold and illustrated for children should be an inspiration to writers and illustrators! . . . This book is [Oberman's] crowning achievement and indeed, a legacy to everyone who cherishes Jewish stories." --Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter

About this edition

• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1590783077
• ISBN 13: 9781590783078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 168