Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN:978-1-937786-20-5 
Hardcover $16.95
Ages 4-8 ~ Wisdom Tales Press
About the book: No one ignores the grand vizier. The most important advisor in the royal court, he was considered the wisest man in the kingdom. He was also Samuel's father. Make sure Hamza never says a mean word to you again, he had ordered Samuel. What should Samuel do? He couldn't disobey his father. But how would he make sure that Hamza never insulted him again? Perhaps train a monkey to hold Hamza's lips closed, or give him some lemon juice to make his mouth pucker? Inspired by a powerful legend of conflict resolution in Muslim Spain, Never Say a Mean Word Again is the compelling story of a boy who is given permission to punish an enemy. What will he do?

My thoughts: In this re-telling of a Spanish tale, the young child encounters mixed cultures and learning to get along with others in an artistic rendering of a well-told story. A good read-to-me story or read-to-myself book, the text is large enough for young readers and the story flows in a gentle, easy style that entertains and engages the reader.

The illustrations of Durga Yael Bernhard are simple, yet intricate in colors soft but strongly invoking cultures they represent. The differences between the boys is shown quite distinctly by their head wear. The thick walls and arched doorways, abstract geometric designs, and colors represent well the Morrish designs of Medieval Spain. All this speaks of the lives of the wealthy in Spain during medieval times. The boyish thoughts of Samuel for keeping Hamza from saying mean things to him in the future are quite humorously pictured.

The tale begins with Samuel, son of the grand vizier, strolling along and totally engrossed in his own thoughts when he bumps into Hamza, the tax collector's son. Irate, Hamza verbally lashes out at Samuel..... and it doesn't end there. Accidents. Saying sorry. Things happen and apologies don't help. Hamza is upset!

Samuel's father helps him by encouraging him to do something (not telling him what that something was) to help Hamza never say a mean word again.

This story is inspired by the real-life actions of the Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid, who was also a vizier, the highest royal advisor in eleventh- century Muslim Spain.

The implications of this story can be far reaching and are certainly compelling. I think this would be a very good addition to elementary class libraries, school and public libraries everywhere.

GIVEAWAY
Begins October 4
ENDS October 25 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Press to facilitate this review. These are my own opinions and I was not compelled to give a positive review. Winner's copy will be graciously sent directly to the winner by Wisdom Tales Press.

50 comments:

  1. 1. Jacqueline Jules is a prolific writer of children’s books, a poet, a teacher, and a librarian.
    2. She has always wanted to be a writer.
    3. She became a writer because she likes to play with words.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. D. Yael Bernhard is a busy writer and illustrator of books on many subjects, primarily for children.
    2. She was raised in New York's Hudson Valley and she began painting at the age of 13.
    3. Most of Ms. Bernhard's artwork is painted in gouache (opaque watercolors that are prepared with a binding agent).

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1. Book to read - All Our Relatives: Traditional Native American Thoughts about Nature compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    2. Book to be reviewed - Children of the Tipi:
    Life in the Buffalo Days Edited by: Michael O. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  4. The three things I found to share on Jacqueline Jule's authtor page are
    1. One of her books won the 2010 National Council for the Social Studies list of Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
    2. She became a writer because she loved to play with words
    3. She has written over 20 books for children

    ReplyDelete
  5. The three things I learned from Durga Yael Bernhard's page are
    1. She is a writer and illustrator of books
    2. She lives in the Catskill Mountains of New York with her family
    3. She was a recipient of a 2014 Aesop Accolade

    ReplyDelete
  6. On Wisdom Tales website I found Princess Rosie’s Rainbows that I would like to read. I would like for you to review the book President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House

    ReplyDelete
  7. On Wisdom Tales website I found The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men that I would like to read. I would like for you to review the book Indian Boyhood: The True Story of a Sioux Upbringing

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. Book to read - The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men written and illustrated by: Isabelle Brent
    2. Book to review - Everyone Prays: Celebrating Faith Around the World by: Alexis York Lumbard
    illustrated by: Alireza Sadeghian

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like you to review the book Indian Boyhood: The True Story of a Sioux Upbringing
    I would like to get the book Whispers of the Wolf for me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. Book to read - Horse Raid: The Making of a Warrior told and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    2. Book to review - Indian Boyhood: The True Story of a Sioux Upbringing by: Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) edited & adapted by: Michael Oren Fitzgerald illustrated by: Heidi M. Rasch

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1) I learned that Ms. Jules is a teacher and a librarian.
    2) I learned that her mind is always thinking of ideas like fireflies on a soft, summer night, they dance in the darkness and dare me to chase them.
    3) I also learned that many hours of her childhood were spent playing with jigsaw puzzles

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. Book to read - Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree: Exploring Trees Around the World
    written & illustrated by: Durga Yael Bernhard
    2. Book to review - Living in Two Worlds: The American Indian Experience by Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jaqueline Jewels is a teacher like me!
    Jaqueline has always wanted to be a writer,
    Jaqueline also became a writer because she loves to play with words.
    j1man1r66@etex.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ms. Bernhard was raised in New York
    Ms. Bernhard began Painting at age 13,
    Ms. Bernhard is also a student and teacher of West African dance and drum,
    j1man1r66@etex.net

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would like the Thunder Egg from wisdom Tales Press for my girls
    I would like to see Living in Two Worlds:The American Indian Experience by Charles Eastman reviewed on Chat with Vera
    j1man1r66@etex.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. On Wisdom Tales website I found The Green Musician that I would like to read. I would like for you to review the book Feathers for Peacock

    ReplyDelete
  17. On Wisdom Tales website I found Saint Anthony the Great that I would like to read. I would like for you to review the book Princess Rosie’s Rainbows

    ReplyDelete
  18. 1. Book to read - Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence by: Manoj Jain illustrated by: Demi
    2. Book to be reviewed - Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way author: Thomas Yellowtail

    ReplyDelete
  19. 1. Book for me to read - The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Olive Tree

    ReplyDelete
  20. 1. Book to read - Pine and the Winter Sparrow retold by: Alexis York Lumbard
    illustrated by: Beatriz Vidal
    2. Book to review - Red Cloud’s War: Brave Eagle’s Account of the Fetterman Fight told and illustrated by: Paul Goble

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1. Book for me to read - Saint Anthony the Great
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Red Cloud’s War: Brave Eagle’s Account of the Fetterman Fight

    ReplyDelete
  22. Book to read - Saint Francis of Assisi author and artist: Demi
    Book to review - The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Lifeways, Edited and Illustrated author: George Bird Grinnell

    ReplyDelete
  23. I learned that 1. She is a librarian (like me!!). 2. She love/loved jigsaw puzzles and 3. She knew she wanted to be a writer in third grade. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I learned that 1. She started painting at 13 2. Her work has been on CD covers and 3. She likes yoga. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. 1. Book for me to read - Princess Rosie’s Rainbows
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable

    ReplyDelete
  26. This book looks great! I'd love to add it to our homeschool library! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  27. Certainly the title of this book is something we all need to strive for! I love how you differentiate with the terms "Read to me" or "read to myself."

    ReplyDelete
  28. 1. Book to read - When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Demi
    2. Book to review - Angels by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Flavia Weedn

    ReplyDelete
  29. 1. Book for me to read - The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Olive Tree

    ReplyDelete
  30. Book to read - The Boy & His Mud Horses compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    Book to review - The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men

    ReplyDelete
  31. 1. Book for me to read - The Thunder Egg
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Pandas and Their Chopsticks: and Other Animal Stories

    ReplyDelete
  32. Book to be read - The Conference of the Birds retold by: Alexis York Lumbard
    illustrated by: Demi
    Book to be reviewed - Custer’s Last Battle: Red Hawk’s Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn author & illustrator: Paul Goble

    ReplyDelete
  33. 1. Book for me to read - The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Living in Two Worlds: The American Indian Experience

    ReplyDelete
  34. Book to read - The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by: Martha Seif Simpson illustrated by: Durga Yael Bernhard
    Book to be reviewed - The Earth Made New compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble

    ReplyDelete
  35. 1. Book for me to read - The Sermon of all Creation: Christians on Nature
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader
    of Algeria

    ReplyDelete
  36. Book to read - The Fantastic Adventures of Krishna Written and illustrated by Demi
    Book to be reviewed - The Green Musician retold by:Mahvash Shahegh illustrated by: Claire Ewart

    ReplyDelete
  37. 1. Book for me to read - The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Lifeways
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Christian Spirit

    ReplyDelete
  38. Book to read - The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale retold by: Joseph Bruchac
    illustrated by: Bill Farnsworth
    Book to be reviewed - A King James Christmas: Biblical Selections with Illustrations from Around the World Edited by: Catherine Schuon and Michael O. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  39. Book to read - The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale retold by: Joseph Bruchac
    illustrated by: Bill Farnsworth
    Book to be reviewed - A King James Christmas: Biblical Selections with Illustrations from Around the World Edited by: Catherine Schuon and Michael O. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  40. 1. Book for me to read - The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader of Algeria
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Essential Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Book to read - The Knight, the Princess & the Magic Rock retold by: Sara Azizi
    illustrated by: Alireza Sadeghian
    Book to be reviewed - Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence by: Manoj Jain
    illustrated by: Demi

    ReplyDelete
  42. 1. Book for me to read - The Essential Sri Anandamayi Ma
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Gospel of the Redman: Commemorative Edition

    ReplyDelete
  43. Book to read - The Man Who Dreamed of Elk-Dogs: & Other Stories from the Tipi
    compiled and illlustrated by: Paul Goble
    Book to be reviewed - The Olive Tree by: Elsa Marston illustrated by: Claire Ewart

    ReplyDelete
  44. 1. Book for me to read - The Image Taker: The Selected Stories
    and Photographs of Edward S. Curtis
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - In the Heart of the Desert, Revised:
    The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

    ReplyDelete
  45. Book to read - The Otter, the Spotted Frog & the Great Flood: A Creek Indian Story
    Retold by: Gerald Hausman Illustrated by: Ramon Shiloh
    Book to be reviewed - The Pandas and Their Chopsticks: and Other Animal Stories
    Written and illustrated by: Demi

    ReplyDelete
  46. 1. Book for me to read - Indian Spirit: Revised and Enlarged
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji:
    The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima

    ReplyDelete
  47. Book to read - President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House Written and illustrated by Demi
    Book to be reviewed - Princess Rosie’s Rainbows written by: Bette Killion
    illustrated by: Kim Jacobs

    ReplyDelete
  48. 1. Book for me to read - Living in Two Worlds: The American Indian Experience
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Master of Zen: Extraordinary Teachings
    from Hui Neng’s Altar Sutra

    ReplyDelete
  49. 1. Book for me to read - Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Native Spirit & The Sun Dance Way

    ReplyDelete
  50. Book to be read - Saint Francis of Assisi author and artist: Demi
    Book to be reviewed - The Thunder Egg by: Tim J. Myers illustrated by: Winfield Coleman

    ReplyDelete

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