The Man With Bad Manners / El Hombre Maleducado (English and Spanish Edition) - Hardcover

Shah, Idries

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1933779659 ISBN 13: 9781933779652

Publisher: Hoopoe Books

Synopsis

An Afghan tale set in the West, this story is about a badly behaved man and how a young boy initiates a plan to change his behavior and, with the help of all the villagers, succeeds. It will bring laughter to young children and at the same time teach them valuable lessons about conflict resolution, initiative and cooperation.

About this title

About the Author

Idries Shah spent much of his life collecting Sufi classical narratives and teaching stories from oral and written sources in the Middle East and Central Asia and publishing them in book form. The eleven tales he wrote especially for children are published by Hoopoe as beautifully illustrated books, all of which have been commended by Western educators and psychologists, the Library of Congress, National Public Radio and other media for their unique ability to foster social-emotional development, thinking skills and perception in children and adults alike. Told for centuries, these stories express universal themes and a positive representation of important but often misunderstood cultures, showing how much we have in common and what we can learn from each other. They acknowledge a child’s individuality and uniqueness and encourage a sense of confidence, responsibility and purpose.

Review

This Afghani folktale has been recast in a modern Western setting, though Santiago's brilliantly hued, naive paintings give it a timeless quality. In a quaint village with well-cultivated gardens, everyone is courteous except for one man. He babbles "blah, blah, blah" in response to others' greetings, and in the night, bangs cans loudly. Everyone is happy when he leaves to visit friends in another village. A clever boy points out, though, that their problems aren't over yet, since the man will return. He has an idea that may make the rude fellow change his ways. This ingenious plan, carried out with the villagers' full cooperation, results in a happy ending for one and all. The tale's mild didacticism is leavened by Shah's gentle retelling and Santiago's artfully lighthearted illustrations. The artist has created a whimsically idyllic village of chunky houses surrounded by sunflowers and small gardens. Her delightfully childlike figures, with their comically exaggerated expressions, are perfectly cast to carry out this story's message of peaceful conflict resolution. - School Library Journal Afghan writer Shah tells of a badly behaved man who refuses to greet people properly, instead saying "blah blah blah" and "blee blee blee." He also bangs loudly on tin cans at night, so the villagers decide to teach the rude fellow a lesson. Narrator Michael Ashcraft has a great deal of fun with the sound effects--his BLEEs and BLAHs are hearty, and his BANG BANG BANGS are appropriately loud and irritating. Young children will enjoy following along and will especially be pleased by the bright illustrations that complement Ashcraft's lively narration. Although this story is from another culture, its themes (the value of manners in helping people get along) are universal. - AudioFile

Edition details

• Publisher: Hoopoe Books
• ISBN 10: 1933779659
• ISBN 13: 9781933779652
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Illustrator: Santiago Rose Mary