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Werke von Naomi Adler

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Gebräuchlichste Namensform
Adler, Naomi
Geschlecht
female
Geburtsort
Israel
Berufe
Montessori teacher
Children's Theater Producer
Storyteller
Children's Author
Kurzbiographie
Naomi Adler is a teacher, storyteller, theater worker and children's author. Born in Israel, she trained to be a Montessori teacher, and joined the Polka Theatre for Children in 1980, where she ran workshops on drama, storytelling, movement, dance, puppet- and mask-making. She has spent much of the past twenty-five years running workshops for special needs people in hospitals, day centers, special schools and community centers. Adler travels extensively, and has recently worked in Russia, the Ukraine and the USA. Her strong commitment to the art of storytelling is inspired by her belief in the value of stories to us all.

(source: Barefoot Books)

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Rezensionen

An engaging collection of animal folktales, taken from a diverse range of traditions the world over, The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales (also published as The Dial Book of Animal Tales) presents nine stories that young folklore enthusiasts are sure to love. With the exception of The Musicians of Bremen and Sedna and King Gull, humans do not enter these tales, which are devoted to the doings of the "animal nations." But although humans are rarely to be seen, it is clear - as is so often the case with folklore - that they are meant to learn a lesson. The tales include:

Grandmother Spider, a Cherokee story in which a group of animals hope to bring light to their part of the world, and dispatch first Brother Possum and then Brother Buzzard. When they have no luck, tiny Grandmother Spider volunteers... I like that this was both a porquoi tale, explaining the appearance of possums and buzzards, and a morality tale, emphasizing the fact that small and elderly members of the community have an important contribution to make, and should be respected.

The Rabbit and the Moon, a Buddhist fable from India, in which a saintly, self-sacrificing rabbit, whose virtue influences all the forest animals around her, is rewarded by a "great heavenly spirit," who places her in the moon, so that she might serve as an example to all. I was charmed at the idea of a "Rabbit in the Moon," rather than an old man, but felt somewhat ambiguous about the moral message of this tale. I'm not sure that I agree that self-abnegation is the highest virtue, and I was struck by the fact that Rabbit's self-sacrifice, rather than being actuated by a desire to save the spirit, who already had food to eat, was motivated by a desire to be self-sacrificing.

The Dragon and the Cockerel, a Chinese tale in which lowly Dragon convinces the Cockerel to loan him his antlers for the Celestial Spirit's New Year celebration, and, being so happy at the unprecedented honor and attention he receives, refuses to return them. Here again, I had rather ambiguous feelings about the ethics of the story. I found it rather odd that the dragon, which is so revered in China, would be rewarded for breaking his word. The story seems to invite us to sympathize with him, because Cockerel is so vain and unpleasant, but I find it difficult to believe that the original storyteller meant to teach that we should only keep our word to those we like...

The Greedy Frog, an Aboriginal story from Australia, in which the massive frog Tiddalick sucks up all the water in the land, causing a severe drought. The other animals, on the brink of death, first plead with Tiddalick to return the life-giving moisture, and then try to make him laugh, causing him to release the missing water. Like Grandmother Spider, this story about the Dreamtime emphasizes the fact that the small and humble (in this case, the eel) have a role to play, and explains a natural phenomenon: the fact that frogs fill themselves with water and bury themselves in the ground when a drought is coming.

Adler attributes this tale to an Aboriginal storyteller named Wendy Watson, whom she met at an exhibition of Aboriginal painting in London, the same woman she credits for Didgeridoo Magic, a tale included in her other collection, Play Me a Story. Australia is a big place though, and I find myself wishing that Adler had indicated to which Aboriginal nation Ms. Watson belongs.

The Musicians of Bremen, a German tale about a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a cock, who all run away from the humans who no longer want them, eventually driving a band of thieves from their den, and finding a new home. This tale has always struck me as being both humorous and melancholy. On the one hand, the animals succeed through a hilarious set of misunderstandings, in which the thieves believe that a terrible monster has taken up residence in their home. On the other hand, there is no denying the sense of sadness implicit in the idea of faithful animal friends being abandoned when they become old.

Never Trust a Pelican, a Thai story in which a clever pelican conceives of a way to keep himself fed without having to work at it. His terrible story of a coming drought convinces the fish to jump right into his bill, in the belief that he will transport them to a new home. Only wise old crab suspects that all is not as it seems... Tales in which animals learn not to trust those who usually prey upon them are common in the folk traditions of the world. This story also seems to teach that it is not wise to always take things at face value.

The Monkey's Heart, a Kenyan tale in which generous Monkey shares the fruit of the mango tree with all his friends, including crocodile, only to find himself in trouble when crocodile's chief decides he must have monkey heart to eat... Here again is a fable about not trusting those with a penchant for eating your kind.

Sedna and King Gull, an Inuit tale from Canada, in which a young woman falls in love with and is married to King Gull, creating the creatures of the sea from his body, when he is killed by hunters. Although I haven't read a great deal of Inuit mythology, I know that Sedna is an incredibly important figure - the deity of marine animals, that vital source of life for the peoples of the far north. Reading this tale reminded me that I have been meaning to investigate her mythology in more depth.

And finally, Magic in the Rain Forest, an indigenous Brazilian tale in which Snake steals Jaguar's eyes through magic, and Harpy Eagle wins them back. This is another porquoi tale, which explains the jaguar's excellent sight, and the fact that he leaves part of kill for the harpy eagle. Here again I wish Adler had mentioned from which indigenous culture the original storyteller came.

All in all, I found this an enjoyable collection. Some of the stories were already familiar to me, but most were completely new. I like to read themed collections of international folklore upon occasion, because it reminds me of the connections between seemingly distant cultures. Amanda Hall's watercolor and crayon illustrations were a charming accompaniment.
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AbigailAdams26 | 1 weitere Rezension | Jul 11, 2013 |
An international collection of folktales involving the enchantment of music, Play Me a Story presents nine stories taken from a rich diversity of cultures. From Mongolia to South Africa, the American Southwest to Germany, each of these selections emphasizes the significance of music and musicians in the traditions from which they spring. Here the reader will encounter:

The Pied Piper of Hamelin, that well-known German tale in which a stranger's magical fluting saves the city, only to be used to bring tragedy to its people when the mayor refuses to keep his word.

The Horse-Head Fiddle, a Mongolian tale in which an impoverished young herdsman named Suho wins the heart of the Khan's daughter, with the help of his beloved horse and his beautiful singing and playing. This story explains why Mongolian fiddles are decorated with a carved horse's head.

Fairy Music, an Irish tale in which a young man named Jack trades all three of his cows for a magical cricket and mouse, and a bumblebee with harp, who dance and play when he whistles a tune. Another tale in which the seeming simpleton triumphs, this time by winning the hand of the princess by making her laugh.

The Dancing Corn Maidens, a Hopi tale which explains how the three Corn Maidens came to the first people, teaching them how to grow and use corn, how they disappeared when they were no longer appreciated, and how they were convinced to return through song and ritual.

The Singing Drum, a South African tale in which a tiny young woman named Cuulu is kidnapped by a jealous failed suitor, and forced into his drum. This explanation for the "talking drum" can be seen in many African tales, and reminded me of Verna Aardem'a picture book, Bimwili & the Zimwi.

The Singer and the Dolphin, a Greek myth involving the famed lyre player Arion, who is saved by his good friend the dolphin when dishonest sailors who want to steal his treasure throw him overboard.

The Bewitched Snake Charmer, an Indian tale in which a gentle young princess named Sumitra marries an ugly, deformed man who makes the most beautiful music, eventually freeing him from a terrible curse.

Didgeridoo Magic, an Aboriginal tale from Australia, in which two young boys escape from the horrific evil spirit Ngarri, inventing the didgeridoo in the process.

And finally, The Painted Balalaika, a Russian tale in which Mashenka, the youngest and most virtuous of three sisters, is given a magic balalaika by her father, murdered by her sisters, revived through magic, and eventually married to the Tsar.

I enjoy themed folklore collections, and this was no exception. Some of the stories here were familiar, some new to me. I did wonder a little about their authenticity, particularly as Adler's sources (listed at the back) were all storytellers like herself. I was troubled by the fact that her source for the Hopi tale was a "Mayan" storyteller. I don't know enough about Hopi culture to judge this specific case, but I do know that there is a significant problem with "plastic medicine men" who coopt and distort Native American cultures for non-Native audiences, and I had to wonder if this "Floating Eagle Feather" was in that category.
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AbigailAdams26 | Jul 11, 2013 |
This book was ok. The German story was long and actually boring. The ending was blah. The pictures are pleasant, but nothing amazing.
 
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justineaylward | 1 weitere Rezension | Dec 7, 2008 |

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Statistikseite

Werke
2
Mitglieder
148
Beliebtheit
#140,180
Bewertung
½ 3.5
Rezensionen
3
ISBNs
19
Sprachen
4

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