Answered Prayer: And Other Yemenite Folktales [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Sharlya Gold (Author), Mishael Maswari Caspi (Author), Marjory Wunsch (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1990 | Age Level: 7 and up

A collection of traditional tales from the Jewish communities in Yemen.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-- This collection of folklore reflects the beliefs and traditions of the Yemenite Jews. While the stories provide a glimpse of a lifestyle that is both exotic and unusual, the themes are traditional and appear in other Jewish folklore and in Bible stories. God intervenes indirectly in man's affairs to save threatened communities; prayers are answered in unusual and unexpected ways. Miserliness is punished, while charitable acts are recognized and rewarded. Clever answers to challenges or questions prove or establish legitimacy of claims. The stories will appeal to children, but they vary greatly in quality of writing. Some are well told; others are lackluster and marred by heavyhanded humor and/or moralizing. Each story is accompanied by one black-and-white woodblock-style illustration; these lack subtlety and sophistication and do little to enhance the text. A collection to be sampled and enjoyed selectively by those interested in this unique segment of the Jewish population. --Susan Kaminow, Arlington County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A valuable addition to Jewish Kid Lit and good reading for the whole family."—Ottawa Jewish Bulletin

(Ottawa Jewish Bulletin ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 65 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Pubn Society; 1st edition (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827603541
• ISBN-13: 978-0827603547
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,924,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stories for Orthodox children, December 24, 2008

By 

Karen B. Armel "gourmet foodie" (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Answered Prayer: And Other Yemenite Folktales (Paperback)

I bought this book for nieces and nephews who live in a strictly orthodox family in Israel. It is always dicey to make good selections for them as I am not of their sect. This book, however, was well received by the parents and loved by the children.

5.0 out of 5 stars Yemenite stories, August 16, 2006

By 

Abigail Yasgur "M.L.S." (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Answered Prayer: And Other Yemenite Folktales (Paperback)

compiled by Shari Gold and Mishael Caspi are warm, fun stories and expose the reader to a world of Yemenite folklore, names and customs. The story The Answered Prayer was selected to be included in the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles public radio production "One People Many Stories: Jewish Stories from Around the World." The incomparable Mike Burstyn reads The answered Prayer on the Library's CD, "One People, Many Stories."

5.0 out of 5 stars A compilation of twelve Yeminite Jewish stories, September 13, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Answered Prayer: And Other Yemenite Folktales (Paperback)

The Answered Prayer And Other Yemenite Folktales is a compilation of twelve Yeminite Jewish stories selected from Mishael Maswari Caspi's extenstive collection of hundreds of such tales, and translated into English when they were adapted by Sharlya Gold for young readers. Nicely illustrated in black and white byMarjory Wunsch, these Yeminite Jewish folktales include: The Wanderer; Ovediah's Fortune; The King's Three Questions; The dreamers; Moshe the Miser; The Nagging Wife; The Purchase; The Woodcutter; Ya'ish and the Protector; Elijah's Mercy; The Three Wise Acts; and the title story, The Answered Prayer. This wonderfully presented and highly recommended collection is enhanced for young readers (as well as their parents and teachers) with a glossary of yemenitie words and phrases, and a pronunciation guide to Yemenite names.