Rachel the Clever and Other Jewish Folktales » (1st ed)

Although the 46 tales in this collection are as varied as the countries or regions from which they come Poland, central Asia, and Morocco, for example nearly all of them have been carried and 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, an emphasis on doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness and on the need for keeping ....

Library Journal

Sherman, author of A Sampler of Jewish-American Folklore (August House, 1992), has brought together a treasure of stories--46 tales from places as disparate as Poland, central Asia, and Morocco. All are one or two pages in length (perfect for reading aloud) and have been passed on by immigrants to their children. The stories are meant for children, but their freshness and clarity will find them an adult audience as well. The Jewish emphasis on doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness, and on maintaining a good sense of humor at all costs is seen throughout the collection. There are magical tales, such as ``The Sorcerer's Apprentice'' and ``The Dancing Demons,'' clever tales such as ``The Slave Who Was a Dectective,'' and the title story, where Rachel the Clever outwits the the king. Sherman's retelling is masterful, making these delightful stories available to a new generation. Highly recommended.-- Molly Abromowitz, Silver Spring, Md.