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Wise...
and Not So
Wise
Ten
Tales
from the Rabbis
designed and illustrated
by Alexa Ginsburg
Jewish
Publication Society,
200
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*Jewish
Book Month
Selection, 2004
*National
Jewish Book
Award Runner-up for Jewish Family Literature, 2005
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| From
the
book jacket: |
Fanciful stories of wonder and magic fill the pages of Phillis
Gershator’s charming collection of tales derived from talmudic and
midrashic folklore.
Inspired by stories recounted by her late
father-in-law, a rabbi, Gershator assembles in this volume 10 of her
favorites--the ones that made her laugh or touched her with their
messages and miracles. Taking spiritual and folkloric elements from the
ancient teachings of the sages, she blends in her own humor, magic, and
wisdom to put a unique spin on tales that have endured for generations.
In talmudic fashion, the stories teach moral
lessons and truths while sprinkling jokes, surprises, and happy endings
throughout. Tales of flying rabbis, miraculous loaves of bread, wise
women, muscle-bound angels, and goats that carry bears on their heads
will delight children of all ages.
Alexa Ginsburg’s lighthearted illustrations
capture the enchantment of these timeless legends.
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| A little
about the book: |
My late father-in-law introduced me to
talmudic tales, one of which I retold in Honi’s Circle of Trees,
also
published by JPS. I found myself adapting others, and Bruce Black,
formerly the Children’s Editor at JPS, suggested I collect them into a
book. So I dedicated it to him, and to Janet Greenstein Potter, the
incredible editor who reviewed every word and every idea with me and
even compiled a glossary for the book, and to David Gershator, my
Reader, Advisor, and Constant Collaborator.
When I saw the book’s design, I loved the concept. Alexa’s pages
have the look of a contemporary scroll, with the exception of one
story, “Goats for Chickens.” That one looks more like an illuminated
manuscript, decorated, appropriately enough, with flying chickens and a
few loose feathers!
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| From the reviews: |
“Gershator retells 10 stories plucked from the Jewish Talmud and
Mishnah, which, in traditional fashion, open the way for discussion of
behavior, miracles, and morality. Dialogue enlivens the often comical
stories, and the format is designed for essy access, with stylized,
monochomatic art wrapped around well-spaced text. Some [tales] are
fairly straightforward. Many, however, are more veiled in meaning.
Notes and questions about the stories that conclude each telling will
steer kids in the right direction....” Booklist
“An appealing collection of tales...written in simple yet efffective
language that preserves their richness and charm without becoming
didactic....Each selection ends with a commentary designed to engage
readers in the great talmudic tradition of asking and answering
questions....The pleasingly flat grayscale illustrations featuring
simple graphic themes have a gentle quality that complements and frames
the text.” School Library Journal
“Many of Gershator’s questions are weighty and require reflection: At
the end of ‘Hanina’s Stone,’ for example, Gershator poses the
question, ‘Is it foolish to dream and then work to make the dream come
true, however impractical that dream may be?’ Following another story,
the author asks, ‘No matter how wise someone may be, can any one person
know what’s right for everyone else?’” The Forward
“This delightful collection of stories adapted from the Talmud and
Midrash blends wisdom with humor....every one of these stories begs to
be read aloud....the illustrations and inviting format join with the
stories to comprise one outstanding package!” Jewish Book World
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