The Clever Boy And the Terrible Dangerous Animal [Paperback]

Idries Shah (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Described by the author as a key to the entire corpus of his work, The Commanding Self describes the mixture of primitive and conditioned responses, common to everyone, that inhibits and distorts human progress and understanding. This book is designed to offer a way to transcend the limits imposed by this "commanding self."

While complete in itself as an anthology of hitherto unpublished work, the book serves to illustrate and amplify Idries Shah's preceding books on the Sufi Way. Based on tales, lectures, letters, and interviews, it offers both an introduction to Sufi thought and further study for those already acquainted with Shah's writings.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-This entertaining folktale is part of an oral tradition from the Middle East and Central Asia. A boy visits a neighboring village where he discovers a frightened crowd pointing to "a dangerous animal" in one of their fields. The youngster soon realizes that the large and terrifying object is a "MELON!" He proceeds to show the villagers that it can be eaten, and then they are fearful of him. He laughs at their silliness and their fear of the unknown, and convinces them that they can also plant its seeds and grow their own fruit. The strangers take his advice and soon their town is called Melon Village. The satisfying ending includes an illustration of the boy looking out onto fields full of melons. The colorful and humorously rendered illustrations bring this story to life. A great choice for anyone looking for a fun folktale with a positive message.
Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"... the meanings will linger in young minds, helping children understand their own and others' actions." -- Denise Nessel, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education

"Enjoy ... new bright collections featuring different illustrators ... fine stories!" -- REVIEWER'S CHOICE, The Children's Bookwatch --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hoopoe Books (June 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883536510
• ISBN-13: 978-1883536510
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,163,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever book, July 8, 2006

By 

Roger L. Schultz (Loveland, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal/El Muchachito Listo y El Terrible y Peligroso Animal (Hardcover)

One of a series of children's picture books by Idries Shah, this one includes a Spanish version along side the English. It contains all the elements of a favorite children's book: Lavish illustrations, frequently repeated phrases and a child hero. But adults will enjoy the surprises, too, as the protagonist frightens those he's trying to help and other developments. The costumes tell the adults it's a tale from the Middle East, and the lesson is clear in these post 9/11 days. There may be help from sources we are afraid to investigate.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal, August 2, 2001

By 

David S. Sobel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal [With CD] (Hardcover)

The children in our preschool love books with big bold images, lots of strong colors, and a big surprise in the middle. This one is a perfect example. The children especially seem to delight in the idea of a little boy taking what the big people see as brave action in the face of their silly fear that only the little boy can see through. I highly recommend this one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Childrens books by Idries Shah build mental agility, July 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal [With CD] (Hardcover)

Tragedies like Columbine are a wake-up call. It's clear that we need to provide our kids - especially boys - with tools to counter the violence and knee-jerk aggression ubiquitous in popular culture. These children's stories by Idries Shah are just this kind of tool. They're not preachy. They don't offer simplistic lessons or moral platitudes. They're more like exercises for "mental muscle groups" grossly underdeveloped in this culture: A strong sense of one's own value. Empathy. Flexibility in thinking and responding. Appreciating that not everyone is the same, not every outcome is predictable. Seeing that there are more than two sides to a situation. A sense that patience and perseverance can pay off, sometimes in unexpected ways. Not demanding easy answers. A sense that things are not always as they seem, that the viewpoint of "experts" - or even the whole community - is not always right. The experience of seeing something that even adults don't see, of creating clever solutions. The sense that taking positive action is possible and rewarding-even when one has to buck the tide. That help can come from where and when we least expect it. The sense that life has interesting "loose ends" for us to reflect on. And so much more. At least one of these books should be on every child's book shelf.