Solomon And the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales [Hardcover]

Sheldon Oberman (Author), Peninnah Schram (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Jewish folk literature contains a rich repertoire of tales that have been told near the hearth, at the table, and in the synagogue for centuries. Some tales address life's problems. Others offer insight into human behavior. Even when the stories make us laugh, they often give us something to think about.
This treasure trove of forth-three folktales includes religious, wisdom, riddle, and trickster tales. In these pages, you will meet King Solomon, who demonstrates his wisdom and learns valuable lessons from birds and ants. The prophet Elijah makes an appearance, with dire consequences for a greedy husband and wife. The hapless citizens of Chilm are here, too. In addition, there are bakers and beggars and rabbis. There are mice and lions and wolves. Taken together, their tales form a colorful mosaic of the Jewish storytelling tradition.

Sheldon Oberman, a master storyteller, retells the tales with simplicity and grace, making them perfect for performing and reading aloud. Peninnah Schram, herself and acclaimed storyteller and folklorist, provides lively commentary that examines the meaning of each tale and its place in history. These enduring stories entertain us today just as they entertained people who heard them told centuries ago.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up–An unusually varied and useful collection of 44 folktales ranging from legends involving the ethical dilemmas of King Solomon to stories of the Prophet Elijah to wisdom tales of ancient rabbis to universal stories given a Jewish slant and selections from near-modern times. The inspiration for Obermans retellings stems from many cultures and continents, yet his direct, relatively unadorned language manages to convey the time and atmosphere of each setting. Sometimes reverent, sometimes jocular, each of the stories has something to teach. Oberman appends explanatory notes and source information to each folktale. Penninah Schram, who completed the editing after Obermans death, has augmented the commentaries. Scholars will appreciate the notes indicating folkloric motifs and variants as well as the full bibliography. This is a gold mine for storytellers and educators alike.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Told in the relaxed, informal voice of someone totally at home with the material, this collection of 43 traditional Jewish stories is authoritative as well as immensely entertaining. Before his recent death, scholar-storyteller Oberman collected and retold the folktales, providing brief introductions to each along with endnotes about culture and sources. His colleague Penninah Schram has added a fine general introduction and contributed some of the commentary. The stories, from both Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions, are arranged more or less chronologically--from biblical days through the talmudic period to more contemporary times. There are legends, medieval fables, trickster tales, and more. As Oberman points out, the fun is not in the kick at the end of the stories, but in the telling and the wry sense of recognition. The stories, wonderful for storytelling and sharing, are accessible even to listeners younger than the target audience, and the notes and commentary will provide older children with context and history. For more stories to share with children, look to Isaac Bashevis Singer's Gimpel the Fool: And Other Stories (1957). Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 165 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (January 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590783077
• ISBN-13: 978-1590783078
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,027 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 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOLOMON AND THE ANT: AND OTHER JEWISH FOLKTALES, October 4, 2006

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solomon And the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales (Hardcover)

Much heart has gone into the creation of this handsome book, where 43 gently humorous, Jewish teaching folktales call to be shared aloud. Selections include religious stories, fables, and wisdom, trickster, and riddle tales, warmly retold by the late Sheldon Oberman, of The Always Prayer Shawl fame, and lovingly wrapped with expert commentary by Peninnah Schram, who prepared the manuscript for publication at his request. Lively dialogue refreshes traditional favorites and introduces many new tales less likely to be found in other modern collections. Character resourcefulness abounds. A merchant tricks a farmer into returning stolen money by letting him think he will be able to steal more. A girl learns how to face a bully by first collecting three hairs from a frightening dog. A discontented man comes to accept his own problems when he sees what is happening in other houses. Maimon wins a poisoning contest without using any real poison at all. King Solomon learns humility from an ant. Stories, some given new settings, take place through time in Holland, Morocco, America, and England, as well as Eastern Europe and Biblical lands. Oberman's notes set historical context for the tales, and Schram's expand what a particular story reveals about Jewish traditions and values. Both generously slide in other stories and delectable tidbits. Classic origins for the tales, along with selected sources and variants and motifs, complete each entry. The book ends with a glossary and comprehensive bibliography of approximately one hundred folklore collections. There is so much here. Attracted by Lloyd Bloom's arresting jacket art, readers will want to stay. Highly recommended for ages 8 and up. Reviewed by Sharon Elswit

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 2007 Sydney Taylor Honor Award Winner for Older Readers, January 28, 2007

By 

Rachel Kamin "Chair, Sydney Taylor Book Award... (West Bloomfield, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Solomon And the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales (Hardcover)

From simple stories, to valuable lessons, to an idea of what life was like in Rambam's time or how a holiday was celebrated in Russia, these folktales are brilliant in their simplicity. They can be read straight through, compared and contrasted, embellished upon, or edited for educational purposes. While younger readers may be daunted by the size of the book and the lack of pictures, they will enjoy being read these tales. While middle grade and juvenile readers may be put off by the idea of a folktale, they will find wisdom, humor and even intrigue in the stories. Adults will be enchanted by the brilliant ideas conveyed from these "simple" stories. REVIEWED BY KATHE PINCHUCK (BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY - BLOOMFIELD, NJ)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The entire family can discuss and enjoy, April 10, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Solomon And the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales (Hardcover)

Perfect for read-alouds by parents is Sheldon Oberman's retellings of Jewish folktales in Solomon And The Ant And Other Jewish Folktales. Peninnah Schram introduces and provides commentary to these rich stories of over forty religious, wisdom and puzzle tales, each of which demonstrates wisdom and understanding as King Solomon learns lessons from birds and ants, and other protagonists receive valued wisdom. While large print will lend to reading for those who already have skills, it's the read-aloud experience which is so highly recommended here: the entire family can discuss and enjoy.