Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories (Jewish Storyteller) [Hardcover]

Peninnah Schram (Author), Jeffrey Allon (Illustrator), Jonathan Rosen (Foreword)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Jewish Storyteller

The stories in this book have become part of the legacy that links both the written tradition (The Torah) and the oral tradition (the Talmud) to the Jewish people.

Each story concludes with a "Now Consider This" section designed to enrich your child's learning experience.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Schram (Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another) retells 10 well-known stories from the Torah and the Talmud in this anthology. Stories such as "The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars" and "Honi the Rainmaker" capture the drama of creation and the powerful providence of God. Schram points up the humor and irony of human weakness and the wisdom of Rabbis Hillel and Shammai in "Teach Me on One Foot." A set of questions follows each story and helps reinforce its moral. Allon's detailed watercolors vividly capture the emotions of Honi, Abraham and Miriam. Allon's lifelike portraits and Schram's engaging prose ensure that families will return to these familiar tales again and again. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-The 10 tales told here are drawn from the Talmud (Aggadah) and Midrash. "Drop by Drop by Drop" demonstrates the value of perseverance and the nobility of a good wife. "Miriam's Well" honors a woman who remains optimistic during a tragic time and saves the life of her infant brother. In "The Idol Smasher," a boy demonstrates to his father, a seller of idols, that clay figures have no power. Argument and reconciliation are the themes in "The Stone Pillow," "Aaron the Peacemaker," "The Power of the Tongue," and "The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars." "Honi the Rainmaker" shows a man of faith arguing with God, while "The Bitter and the Sweet," a humorous twist on the Elijah/Passover story, explains that after the bitter, there is happiness. In "Teach Me on One Foot," Rabbi Hillel encapsulates the sum of all Jewish belief to an arrogant young man: "Don't do to other people anything you don't want them to do to you." The simple narratives feature plenty of dialogue. The language, while dignified, is contemporary and on a level that young children will understand. Each selection is followed by three questions, some of which demand knowledge of additional Jewish teachings. Lavish full-page watercolors use dramatic close-ups and innovative perspectives to lend movement and action to the stories. A solid choice for group sharing and storytelling.
Marcia W. Posner, Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center of Nassau County, Glen Cove, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 45 pages
• Publisher: Simcha Media Group (NJ) (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943706963
• ISBN-13: 978-0943706962
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,133,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent retelling of classic tales, reinforcing values, December 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories (Jewish Storyteller) (Hardcover)

Schram, a master of Jewish storytelling, and leader of the Jewish storytelling movement in the USA, retells ten classic Jewish folktales from the Talmud, Aggadah, and Torah Midrash. Each story is followed by questions which help the readers and listeners to think more deeply about the lessons of the tales and reinforce its Jewish values. For example, in the Talmudic tale about why the Sun is large, the moon is small, and the stars seem even smaller, we learn about complaining and jealousy, and how you have to be careful what you wish for. Jeffrey Alon's watercolors help to capture the essence of the tales. My favorite tale was that of Honi, the Rainmaker, as retold from the Gemara. During a drought, the people of Jerusalem ask Honi to intercede for them and pray for rain. Then they complain that it is raining too little, and then too much. Once again, you have to be careful what you ask for, I guess.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational anthology, July 26, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories (Paperback)

Compiled and retold by Peninnah Schram, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories presents ten classic stories of Jewish and Biblical history. Each tale is presented in a few pages and enhanced with brilliant and powerful color illustrations by Jeffrey Allon. Each individual story is also marked with points to consider, such as "How does this story show us that Miriam gave the Jewish people the strength to go on?" for the tale of Miriam the Wise. An inspirational anthology, deeply respectful of the holy scriptures from which it presents its tales, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories is enthusiastically recommended for young readers.