Rachel The Clever

By Josepha Sherman

Book Overview

American Bookseller Pick of the ListsAlthough the 46 tales in this collection are as varied as their origins, nearly all of these stories have been passed on by immigrants to America. As a result, this collection is a world tour between two covers, but not at the expense of the unifying element common to these stories: their uniquely Jewish flavor of "...doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness and on the need for keeping a good sense of humor." Sherman's collection includes magical tales; stories about clever folks; tales of ghosts, gilguls, and other strange things; fables that deal with doing the right thing; and stories about the delightfully silly Wise Men of Chelm. Entertaining and illuminating story notes give additional information on the origins and different versions of the tales.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874833078
• ISBN13: 9780874833072
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 171 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 9 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 4 and higher

Customer Reviews

Great stories for 3-8 yeear olds

Wonderful, very brief stories for young children. The reader can build an understandable moral from each of them. They are humorous, not frightening, and nicely illustrated in romantic pictures. After taking it from the library to read to my grandchildren, I ordered three copies so each could have one in their own homes and there would still be one when they visited with me. The stories can be read over and over because they have so much to say, even tho' they are short.

Great book of Jewish wisdom tales

This along with Solomon and the Ant, is a great example of Jewish Wisdom Tales. I bought this to read to my daughter but you can read this to anyone who is interested in reading a good story with a moral.

Enthusiastically recommended for readers 9 to 90!

Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales is a wonderful collection of forty-six outstanding, multicultural tales drawn from the Jewish communities of Poland, Spain, Morocco, Yemen, and Central Asia. Entertaining, illuminating, showcasing Jewish wit, wisdom and humor, Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales and the other memorable stories are enhanced for the modern reader with notes providing additional information on the origins and different versions of the stories, as well as the characters and creatures that populate them. Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales is enthusiastically recommended reading for ages 9 to 90!