Stories of Hope and Spirit [Hardcover]

Dan Keding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Throughout history, eastern Europe has been a battlefield, a crossroads, a place of conflict, and a place of resolution. The folk stories in this collection are reflective of the region. Each talks about challenges as well as the strength, wit, hope, and courage necessary to face them.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

The author's grandmother brought to this country the folktales from her native Croatia and from other Eastern European countries. "Noni" told the same stories to Keding as a way of entertaining him; of keeping the tales alive; and of teaching, guiding, and perpetuating the values that have strengthened and sustained families and communities throughout centuries of conflicts. The tales, which reflect the flavors of the countries of origin, illustrate how we must act toward one another-how evil begets evil, and, conversely, how kindness begets kindness. Some stories are variations of familiar tales ("Nail Soup" for "Stone Soup"), and the heroes, princesses, monsters, and sorcerers behave in ways that lead predictably to satisfying, or unsatisfying, outcomes. Many of Keding's tales are easy to read and ready to tell just as they are written, while others require more time to learn, especially those that contain a tale within a tale. Here are stories for teachers, clergy, parents, and friends to do what Noni did-teach, guide, and entertain. Listeners of any age will hear the messages of hope and spirit woven into these selections, each of which provides a road map to a better world.-Judy Sokoll, Florida Storytelling Association, Naples
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: August House (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874837278
• ISBN-13: 978-0874837278
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully presented anthology of thirteen folktales, June 14, 2005

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

This review is from: Stories of Hope and Spirit (Hardcover)

Compiled and edited by musician, storyteller, and recording artist Dan Keding, Stories Of Hope And Spirit: Folktales From Eastern Europe is a wonderfully presented and enthusiastically recommended anthology of thirteen folktales drawn from the countries and cultures of eastern Europe. The include: The Best Wish (Croatia); The Most Precious Gift (Turkey/Croatia); The First Story (Republic of Georgia); The King's Ears (Serbia); Strawberries in Winter (Slovakia); The Prince Who Married a Frog (Croatia); The Three Brothers and the Pot of Gold (Moldavia); One Man's Trouble (Latvia); The Enhanced Princess (Russia); The Old Traveler (Estonia); How the Rich Man Learned a Lesson (Chechnia); and Nail Soup (Croatia). In addition to an informative Introduction, Stories Of Hope And Spirit is also enhanced with the inclusion of "Telling the Stories" and a bibliography.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, February 10, 2005

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Marketing Goddess (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stories of Hope and Spirit (Hardcover)

What a great collection. My kids love it. The stories are so rich and vivid.