The Woman in the Moon (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Angela Barrett (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up An appealing anthology of folk tales for those who are tired of the endless stream of meek, passive and gentle heroines who inhabit many folk tales. Assembled from all parts of the world, these 13 tales feature women who are intelligent, clever, strong and/or brave. The stories are written in a flowing narrative style ideally suited for storytelling or reading aloud. The engravings which accompany each tale are realistic, intricately detailed and perfect for the tales. This collection is a welcome addition to the existing body of similar collections, of which Phelps' Tatterhood and Other Tales (Feminist Pr, 1978), and The Maid of the North (Holt, 1981) and Lurie's Clever Gretchen & Other Forgotten Folktale Heroines (Crowell, 1980) are the best known. The lack of complete sources for the folk tales is the only fault in this much-needed collection. Denise A. Anton, Corn Belt Library System, Normal, Ill.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

A collection of traditional tales from around the world each of whose main character is female.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 88 pages
• Publisher: Hutchinson (October 8, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0091567602
• ISBN-13: 978-0091567606
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,556,604 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Time Favorite Book, January 16, 2003

By	Heroine Librarian (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Woman in the Moon and Other Tales of Forgotten Heroines (Hardcover)

I think I was eight the first time I read these stories. Over the years I read again and again, before lending the book to a friend and never seeing it again. It took me eight more years to track down a used copy, a search that encompassed two continants, countless used bookstores, and finally, a very good out of print book service. Every minute spent on that search was well worth the effort. The copy I have now sits in the place of pride on my bookshelf. I still haunt used book stores looking for copies to give to friends with daughters.

This book opened so many doors to new ideas for me. It dispelled the notion that women could only be beautiful, helpless prizes for men (like Cinderella) or evil, ugly, vicious adversaries (like her stepmother). That is, after all, the stated objective of the book. But it also taught me that the stories our culture tells are not the stories every culture tells. It opened my eyes to a world full of rich and varied literary traditions.

Beautifully writen, marvelously illustrated, this book belongs in the collection of every young girl -- and boy. Buy it for any child you care about -- you never know what sort of ideas it might give her, or him.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every little girl -- and boy, November 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Alex Driving South (Hardcover)

My grandmother gave me this book when I was 10 years old, and I loved the exotic stories that went way beyond the typical Cinderella fairytales I was used to. I've passed on my well-read copy to my 10-year-old little sister and, just like me, she couldn't put it down. I still occasionally reread these stories, not only because they're well-written, but because they take me to another place and time where women warriors rule, young girls can fly and married women are anything but "the wife." I recommend giving this to any young person you know and love.