This small treasury of tales is just 50 pages long, but what a treasure it is! Kira Van Deusen has the advantage of having visited Tuva, which gives the stories a sense of place that they would not otherwise have. In her introduction she describes being lost on the steppes trying to find the yurts (domed tents) of her hosts, struggling like the characters in the stories. Some of these traditional tales are familiar from Western European tradition, while others are unique to Tuva. The trickster- hero Oskus-ool appears in a colorful Tuvan version of "Puss-in-Boots," with the fox Dilgizhek taking the place of the cat. In other stories Oskus-ool faces the more esoteric Tuvan villian, Karaty-khan, and of course defeats him and wins the Golden Princess (who he met as a golden fish). The exotic stories have a unique flavor, and are delightful for readers and tellers of any age.
Book Description
The eight colorful tales in this book come from Tuva, a small republic located at the geographic center of Asia. Tuvans are traditionally master horsemen, caring for large herds of cattle, sheep, yaks and camels in the steppes of Central Asia. Their history is long and their culture rich in story and music. Shyaan Am! is suitable for children 7 and up and for adults. A great storytellers resource. With introduction, black and white illustrations, and glossary.
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