The Lion's Whiskers and Other Ethiopian Tales: Revised Edition [Hardcover]

Brent K. Asbabranner (Author), Brent K. Ashabranner (Editor), Russell G. Davis (Editor), Helen Siegl (Illustrator)

Book Description

A collection of folktales from the nine tribes of Ethiopia, along with two stories from Ethiopia's religious traditions.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7. The earlier title by the same name (Little, Brown, 1959; o.p.) had 31 stories divided by region and accompanied by background material on the culture of each place. The present edition culls 16 of the favorite stories from that book and provides striking woodcut illustrations, making the tales more accessible to younger audiences. Some of the stories have clear morals and give messages about love, honor, courage, and wisdom. Others, in the way of oral tradition, end abruptly with the storyteller asking listeners to provide their own conclusions or leave the ending open for an additional tale. The characters are people of various regions and faiths; animals such as lions, hyenas, baboons, and turtles; kings and commoners; and even a thumb-sized character who could be compared to the Western Thumbelina. The diversity of cultures in this nation is revealed by selections that come out of the Christian tradition and Old Testament stories told by the Jews who live there. Each story is framed by a short introduction to the teller and the circumstances in which it was heard, thus providing some understanding of the story tradition in Ethiopia and a connection to the previous tale. An introduction provides background to the book and an afterword updates it to show the historical changes in Ethiopia since the first book was published. A selection worth acquiring for folktale collections or to supplement African studies.?Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Linnet Books; Revised edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208024298
• ISBN-13: 978-0208024299
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,650,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)