Reviews for Mythical beasts

The average rating for Mythical beasts based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-07-08 00:00:00 Brian Dunbar The oral tradition of storytelling is one of the oldest forms of performing in the world. Tales passed down through the generations were intended not only to entertain the listeners but to educate and enlighten and keep memories of bygone eras alive. Nowadays, we have photos, newspapers, movies, historical novels and the internet. Therefore, such a book as this one is a charming window into another world and time. These tales are funny or sobering, sage and amusing. Intertwined with them are the details of the day-to-day life of an old-fashioned bubbe and her attentive granddaughter. The author paints the inside of grandmother's home, brimming with carefully maintained furniture, tchotchkes and traditional kosher food. It is spotless with cleaning, cared for with scrupulous attention by a woman who knows the value of a clean home. Shining through it all is the love of a little girl for her wise and generous grandmother, who throws a pulsing cord of tradition that links and anchors them both into a sold unbreakable chain extending back for generations. Many of the stories deal with women so the matrilineal framework of the storytelling'from one female ancestor to a succeeding one'makes sense. This anthology would be great for all children yet I feel it to be of particular significance for little girls. In any case, read these stories aloud.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-10-29 00:00:00 Josh Lyman A wonderful collection of 10 traditional, Jewish folk tales. Spending time with her grandmother is something that the young girl of the collection enjoys. She takes pleasure in exploring the grand home and the hidden treasures in the kitchen, the bedrooms and the balcony.Whenever she can, she always encourages from her grandmother a story or two to share. Stories of wise men, foolish ones, Rabbi's who listen to the wisdom of their wives and quiet reflection. Geras finds a pitch-perfect balance between the customs and times of the present and the rich heritage that she inherits through the stories that she listens to. A gently, engaging balance can be found in the narrative as we seemlessly slip between the present and the past. I loved how well Geras has planned events around the stories that she wanted to share. When something happens in the present, Grandmother has a story that ties it to the past; these connections never feel forced or out of sync. It saddens me to know that the sharing of stories from our own cultures are steadily being lost to many children today. Maybe they can gain something from seeing it practiced so well in this beautifully executed collection.