Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories

Compiled and retold by Peninnah Schram, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories presents ten classic stories of Jewish and Biblical history. Each tale is presented in a few pages and enhanced with brilliant and powerful color illustrations by Jeffrey Allon. Each individual story is also marked with points to consider, such as "How does this story show us that Miriam gave the Jewish people the strength to go on?" for the tale of Miriam the Wise. An inspirational anthology, deeply respectful of the holy scriptures from which it presents its tales, Ten Classic Jewish Children's Stories is enthusiastically recommended for young readers.

Schram, a master of Jewish storytelling, and leader of the Jewish storytelling movement in the USA, retells ten classic Jewish folktales from the Talmud, Aggadah, and Torah Midrash. Each story is followed by questions which help the readers and listeners to think more deeply about the lessons of the tales and reinforce its Jewish values. For example, in the Talmudic tale about why the Sun is large, the moon is small, and the stars seem even smaller, we learn about complaining and jealousy, and how you have to be careful what you wish for. Jeffrey Alon's watercolors help to capture the essence of the tales. My favorite tale was that of Honi, the Rainmaker, as retold from the Gemara. During a drought, the people of Jerusalem ask Honi to intercede for them and pray for rain. Then they complain that it is raining too little, and then too much. Once again, you have to be careful what you ask for, I guess.