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55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Transcends Age, Time and Culture, Superb Audio Story Telling - Review Updated With Links To 2 More In The Series, June 9, 2007
This review is from: Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World (Audio CD)
This review refers to "Tell Me A Story: Timeless Folktales from Around The World"(CD)
So, one of the really cool things about writing reviews at Amazon is that every once in a while, I will receive a book from an Author or publisher in hopes of a review. I don't review every single one I receive, but every once in a while I get one that I not only can't wait to share with Amazon book shoppers, but as in this case, one that I can share with my entire family. I received this one from producer of this fine CD, Amy Friedman, and I'd like to say thanks so much, for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I took this one with me on my errands outing the other day, and popped it in my CD player. First off all I became so enthralled with these marvelous stories that I was glad I was alone and didn't have anyone with me chit chatting as I listened.Although I am sure any listener would be under it's spell as well. The other thing is that my errands took much longer then anticipated as at each stop, I couldn't get out of my car until I finished the story I was listening to.
The title says much about this book. The readers are professional), will tell you the stories and you cannot help but to fall into a trance by their lulling and often animated voices. These great folktales take place in all different parts of the world and the readers capture the personalities of the people or animals, the accents, the fun and the lessons learned exquisitely. The stories each are not only a joy to listen to, but will leave you with some kind of moral or life lesson learned in a entertaining way. These tales transcend age and time, and offer a glimpse into various countries and cultures that will leave the reader a little more enriched.
There are 8 tales ranging from about 5 to 13 minutes. Well over an hour to get lost in. Although this is classified as a children's book. I have to say that whatever your age, you will enjoy these stories. I even think, the very young will get something out of these tales. Only one,"The Boatman's Howling Daughter", an American folktale may not be suitable for the very very young, as there is some violence(think something akin to Peter Pan and the Pirates). Among some of the other tales, I really enjoyed "A`Sense of Theft". A delightful tale of a poor woman on trial for "stealing" the wonderful smells from the Baker's shop. How will the judge handle this case. Also included is "Rabbit on the Moon", an excellent learning lesson, "The Selkie Bride", what will we do for love?, "Anansi and Turtle's Feast", "Searching For Fear", "The Clever Girl", and "Two Frogs From Japan", a tale that might make one think about where to find happiness.
The CD quality itself is excellent, with some great music to set the mood of the tales as well. It includes a booklet, with story synopsis and great illustrations and bios of the narrators.
Highly recommended. Take it in your car the next time you are chauffeuring the kids around. For once, the ride will be peaceful as the kids(and you), get swept away to far away lands and olden times. Makes a great gift as well, one that could be passed down from generation to generation, that is if anyone can actually part with it.
Hopefully this will be the start of a long line of the CDs, with more lovely tales to come....Enjoy the read.....Laurie
Reviewer's Update 12/22/09 - As you can see by the other reviews, I am not alone in my rave review of this fabulous children's CD, and I am happy to report that my hope that this one would be the start of a series has come true. There are 2 more CDs in this series now available and I would recommend them as enthusiastically as I do this one.See my reviews for themes and details of the new ones. Here are the links: Tell Me A Story 2: Animal Magic and Tell Me A Story 3: Women of Wonder
also recommended: Side By Side: poems to read together
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Collection of Multicultural Folktales - Audiobook, April 17, 2007
This review is from: Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World (Audio CD)
"Tell Me a Story" is a beautiful gift to the world. This playful journey includes beautiful, classic multicultural folktales from around the world. They include:
A Sense of Theft - A woman falls in love with baked goods and a baker accuses her of stealing the warm scent of baked bread.
Anansi and Turtle's Feast - A story of two friends who visit each other's homes for dinner.
The Selkie Bride - A Scottish fisherman falls in love with a seal woman who he discovers on the shore.
Searching for Fear - A tale of a raccoon who is fearless and goes on a journey to find out what it feels like to be afraid.
Two Frogs from Japan - A tale adapted from an original Japanese Folktale.
The Clever Girl - A tale adapted from a Czechoslovakian folktale called Clever Manka.
The Rabbit on the Moon - An Indian story from the Jataka Tales.
The Boatman's Howling Daughter - A girl with seven pet bear cubs goes on an adventure and escapes from danger.
The stories are read by Lori Ada Jaroslow, Rick Hall, Lauren Tom, Charlayne Wood-ard, Jack McGee, William Thomas, Poppy Champlin and Kathleen Wilhoite. The titles are adorably read by Eva Hall and Ruthie Hall giving this CD an angelic quality.
Each story has its own personality, humor and wit. The stories are carefully performed and are beautifully written in a way that begs for them to be read to an audience of eager listeners. You can almost imagine these tales being told around a campfire.
I especially loved the story of the raccoons and the story of the Selkie woman is quite beautiful. Pianist Laura Hall weaves her musical magic through the stories to enhance the exciting stories with an ethereal beauty. This is a CD for any age and can be enjoyed in the afternoon, evening or anytime you need to escape from the world.
A Rare Discovery!
~The Rebecca Review
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Folktales, limericks and word play, July 31, 2008
This review is from: Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World (Audio CD)
This is a charming collection of eight folktales from around the world, which can be enjoyed by anyone above the age of three. Written by Amy Friedman, and produced by Friedman and Lori Ada Jaroslow, the background music was composed by Laura Hall of "Who's Line is it Anyway?" fame.
1. A Sense of Theft
Narrated by Lori Ada Jaroslow, Broadway Performer
Setting: Eastern Europe
There was a young lady named Zena
Who worked every day as a cleana
Baked goods she'd inhale
Without closing the sale
Which was thought to be a misdemeana
2. Anansi and Turtle's Feast
Narrated by Rick Hall, Actor
Setting: Africa
There once was a spider, Anansi
Who'd trick you if it took his fanci
He hated to share
Any food that was there
Be it yams or buffet fanci schmanci
3. The Selkie Bride
Narrated by Lauren Tom, Actress
Setting: Scotland
A fisherman once caught a seal
Who turned out to be quite unreal
As shedding the skin
Showed a woman within
Though she got the raw end of the deal
4. Two Frogs from Japan
Narrated by Jack McGee, Actor
Setting: Japan
There once was a frog from Kyoto
Who sought other places to go to
His friend from Osaka
Was on the same tracka
Both wishing for a telephoto
5. The Clever Girl
Narrated by Charlayne Woodard, Actress
Setting: Former Czechoslovakia
A farmer once had a fine daughter
Who was smarter by far than she oughter
The magistrate tried
To suppress his bride
But he found that his rules held no water
6. Searching for Fear
Narrated by Poppy Champlin, Comedienne
Setting: North America, but has Turkish origins
There once was a fearless raccoon
Who marched to a different toon
He hunted for fear
With never a scare
Until faced with the time opportoon
7. Rabbit on the Moon
Narrated by William Thomas Jnr., Broadway Performer/Actor
Setting: India
Here, Buddha's disguised as a Brahmin
Seeking animals willin' and charmin'
When instead of some rice
A supreme sacrifice
Turns out to be somewhat disarmin'
8. The Boatman's Howling Daughter
Narrated by Kathleen Wilhoite, Actress
Setting: North America
There once was a girl named Sal Fink
Who was tougher by far than you'd think
When HER temper flares
She wrestles with bears
And generally kicks up a stink
Note: Some tracks are not in the order they are listed on the CD.
Very entertaining, and skillfully narrated by a talented group of performers, this would be an age appropriate gift for a budding storyteller on your list.
Amanda Richards, July 31, 2008
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