The Feather Merchants: And Other Tales of the Fools of Chelm [Library Binding]

Steve Sanfield (Author), Mikhail Magaril (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

Thirteen traditional Eastern European Jewish tales of the town of Chelm and its silly citizens.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- From the delightfully brief and flavorful foreword ("Enjoy! We'll talk later") to the very moving afterword, this collection of 13 tales of the people of Chelm begs to be read aloud. The lively pace captures the antics of these lovable fools who go on with their lives believing they are wise indeed. Among the several traditional selections--including a variety of versions of how the Chelmites all ended up in one town--are those that appear neither in Let's Steal the Moon (Shapolsky, 1987) by Serwer-Bernstein nor Singer's The Fools of Chelm and Their History (Farrar, 1973). Throughout, both children and adults will appreciate the ironic humor of how these townspeople solve problems with their own hilarious, indisputable sense of logic. Black-and-white illustrations have the look of rough woodcuts, and convey the atmosphere of the Eastern European setting. Excellent material for storytellers. . . so. . . enjoy. --Micki S. Nevett, Temple Beth Emeth Lib . , Albany, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

The author of The Adventures of High John the Conqueror (1989) turns to his Jewish heritage for an entertaining collection of nonsense stories, organized into a sort of history of Chelm and an introduction to its foolish residents. Sanfield weaves tales of varying length into a continuous narrative, divided into sections centered on people or local institutions. He begins with a cordial invitation (``ENJOY! We'll talk later'') and ends with an ``Afterword'' about the stories' personal meaning for him and his bittersweet visit to Eastern Europe to research them. Written in an informally discursive style, the stories themselves vary from anecdote to fully realized folktale, all melded into a satisfying whole. Magaril, a Russian illustrator whose work will be new to Americans, uses pen drawings in a bold, sophisticated, woodcut-like style that preserves the folkloric feel. A satisfying accompaniment to I. B. Singer's fine stories about Chelm. Glossary; excellent bibliography. (Folklore. 8+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 102 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531085589
• ISBN-13: 978-0531085585
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,632,569 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

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fools of Chelm, December 21, 1999

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Feather Merchants: And Other Tales of the Fools of Chelm (Library Binding)

Those familiar with The Wise Men of Helm and More Wise Men of Helm will be delighted with this collection of Chelm stories. Those who don't will be introduced to the wonderfully funny characters.

According to Jewish folk lore, when the angels flew over earth depositing people, the bag of fools tore open and they all dropped out in Chelm. You can imagine the rest, but don't. Get this book.

---Alyssa A. Lappen