Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up
From China to Burma, Afghanistan to America, this collection of fourteen familiar and little-known stories tells the tales of sons, brothers, kings, and trolls--men and boys united by a common heroism that comes from strength of character, wisdom, and compassion. These stories show that brains trump brawn every time. Renowned storyteller Jane Yolen has created an exciting companion book to her Book Sense 76 Pick Not One Damsel in Distress. An inspired collection of dramatic tales, Mightier Than the Sword will inspire boys and girls alike.
Gr. 4-8. This collection of 14 folktales from around the world, retold by Jane Yolen, feature male protagonists using cleverness, imagination, and intelligence to solve problems, conveying the message that strength does not have to be synonymous with force: there is strength in compassion, kindness, and wisdom. Included in the collection are stories that will be familiar, such as "The Magic Brocade" from China, the African American tale "Knee-High Man, and the Brothers Grimm tale "Jack and His Companion." Less familiar stories are here, too: "Hired Hands" from Afghanistan; "The Young Man Protected from the River" from Angola; and "The Fisherman and the Chamberlain" from Burma. Each story is accompanied by a full-page illustration depicting a scene in the tale. Yolen explains the background of each story and how she went about adapting it for the collection. Free of didacticism, these diverse stories give readers something to think about. Sources are provided. Ed Sullivan (Booklist - Ed Sullivan )
Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Folktales for Boys & Others!, October 15, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys (Hardcover)
This is a great collection of folktales specifically selected for the author's sons and grandson. The stories are interesting and exciting - they'll hold the attention of the most reluctant reader. Disguised under the fun tales are great lessons of character and integrity that boys today need so desperately to hear. I highly recommend it to parents, teachers, and kids!
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This review is from: Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys (Hardcover)
This is an excellent collection of folktales featuring heroes who overcome adversity using their wits rather than brute force. My six-year-old son absolutely loves this book, his favourite story is The Devil with Three Golden Hairs, but he loves them all. I enjoy reading most of the stories to him myself, though I admit I found a couple of them a little dull, but most of them are wonderful. The stories come from many different cultures, but all feature clever, likeable heroes .This book should appeal to any boy with imagination.
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This review is from: Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys (Hardcover)
I really enjoyed this selection of stories about smart, strong boys and give it as a gift every chance I get. I finally had to admit that it's more suitable for the 9-year-old than the 3-year-old.
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