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Sally Pomme Clayton

Tales Told in Tents: Stories from Central Asia Hardcover – Bargain Price, November 18, 2004

by Sally Pomme Clayton (Author), Sophie Herxheimer (Illustrator)

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Why are some carpets magic? What is a wish tree? And where can the fountain of eternal life be found? Internationally acclaimed storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton provides the answers to these and many other intriguing questions in this enchanted journey through Central Asia. Traveling through the region herself, she accumulated a wealth of folklore and knowledge of nomadic cultures. Now, retracing her steps through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, the author recounts 12 exotic tales that were shared with her in storytelling tents.

Sophie Herxheimer's brilliantly patterned artwork, together with a glossary and brief notes, add to the collection to reveal the richness of these little-known, faraway lands.

Print length

64 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication date

November 18, 2004
Dimensions

10.94 x 8.52 x 0.08 inches
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Sally Pomme Clayton
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Hardcover
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In this unusual collection, tales involving magical beings and flying carpets appear alongside prosaic explanations for the invention of felt and a legend about the origins of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. There is a story about the Kazakhstan trickster Aldar-Kose and there are riddles from Uzbekistan to test the wits of young readers, such as "One eye and a sharp tooth" (answer: a needle). The selections are illustrated with primitive, full-color paintings done with a thick and exuberant brush. The cover art employs especially brilliant colors in its depiction of a rapt family seated around a samovar while an elderly man regales them with stories. By opening a window to folkloric traditions not previously explored in American children's books, Clayton provides much material to tantalize storytellers, listeners, and readers alike.-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. In 12 traditional stories from the nomadic cultures of Central Asia, folklorist Clayton retells myth and folklore she heard in Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. The lively tales include epic creation myths, rhyming riddles, trickster tales, songs, and stories of magic carpets and music. The large picture book is illustrated with richly colored line-and-watercolor paintings that evoke Central Asian traditional culture, with settings ranging from deserts and mountains to rivers and cities. In "Zarina's Orchard" from Tadjikistan, the longest and one of the best stories, a bold, brave young woman fights the Dev, a demon with one red eye and a long black tongue. The backmatter includes a map, a glossary, and informal notes about each story and its connections. A rich resource, even for older readers, this anthology has stories that travel across the world. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002N2XF1O
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Frances Lincoln Children's Books (November 18, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.94 x 8.52 x 0.08 inches

Customer Reviews:
17 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Claudia Reder

A wonderful collection of tales

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2014

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A wonderful collection of tales. One of them, Carpet of Dreams, is a favorite of storytellers. These tales, collected by a storyteller, are great for common core in schools. However, the reason to read these tales are because they are wonderful stories.

One person found this helpful

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Yorgos

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015

Amazing!

stories as chronicles of history and knowledge

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2011

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A really fantastic book for insights into Central Asian culture, for young and old. Really great additional comments from the author and brilliant 'sayings' as well as richly coloured illustrations.

One person found this helpful

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Terra

Compelling and varied stories

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2019

When my 9-year-old asked to learn about Kazakhstan, I was a little concerned that there wouldn't be many resources available. I found this book at the local library and I was so impressed with it, that it's stuck with me a month after we finished reading. I love that each story is attributed to a specific area (or in some cases, to all of Central Asia), the author's notes brought the stories into today and the stories were told at a fast-enough clip to entertain but weren't flat and stripped of meaning (we read a lot of folk tales, you'd be surprised how many collections are either way too complicated or alternately really meaningless). The riddles set in the center of the book were excellent and funny, and I appreciated the references to reoccurring characters from this region (so did kiddo-- he requested more stories about Aldar Kose!)

Really it was just a lovely book that I imagine is not something people might normally pick up-- a hidden gem!

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2011

Pair this with "The Silk Road" by John S. Major. This book includes tales, legends, creation myths, poem songs, and riddles - all of them with an Oriental flavor and the kind of illustrations that set the scene for something very different. Beautiful map.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Ikula Nappa

Beautiful illustrations, beautiful stories.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2011

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I purchased this book as a starting point for our primary school topic. The only problem is...I don't know where to begin! there are folk stories, a personal account from the author, proverbs and sayings, riddles and insights into life on the steppes of Central Asia (all the 'stans'!), all topped off with beautiful illustrations. No wonder it was chosen as one of the Best Kids' Books of 2005 by The Washington Post.

One person found this helpful

PJP

Tales Told In Tents

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

Book arrived promptly and in perfect condition THANK YOU.
Havent read it yet but looks interesting.
Sorry I cant think of anything else to say at this time.

Debbie A. Barton

Super service! Super book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very pleased with the book. Good to know it has been used and is being used again not thrown away. Super condition. Lovely book. Would look to use the seller again.

D. Mcbride

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2016

Verified Purchase

Grateful to have some children's literature from Asia, lovely illustrations and map

lindiana

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2014

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I began telling the tales yesterday!