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The Ogress and the Snake: and Other Stories from Somalia

The Ogress and the Snake: and Other Stories from Somalia

by Elizabeth Laird (Author), Shelley Fowles (Illustrator)

  • New

    Paperback 2009

    $6.38
Synopsis

For millennia, Somalia has been crossed and recrossed by camel caravans of merchants bringing stories with them. Elizabeth Laird heard most of these oral retellings in Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia's Somali region, in gardens, bars, small huts and beautiful old Harari houses. Some of them are written down here for the very first time. This wonderful collection of down-to-earth tales makes a perfect introduction to a fascinating and little-known country.

$6.38

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 96
 Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Published: 09 Apr 2009
ISBN 10: 1845078705
ISBN 13: 9781845078706
Children’s book age: 9-11 Years
 Book Overview: * Somalia is always a bubbling topic because of the many asylum-seekers coming to Europe. * Gives a true picture of traditional Somalia far removed from news headlines * Author is an award-winning novelist * Author's experience of travelling through Somalia gives authenticity to the collection * Other titles in the series include A Fistful of Pearls (Iraq) and The Dragon of Krakow (Poland) *Praise for A Fistful of Pearls: Elizabeth Laird's glittering collection of folk tales!A highly unusual and welcome collection sure to be of interest to schools - Carousel

Media Reviews
A wonderful collection of eight desert tales from Somalia. Wicked stepmothers, gold, snakes, why dogs are a man's best friend - it's all here in these beautifully retold stories. || If you thought Somalia had nothing to offer the world but piracy, you'll soon change your mind if you sample this wonderful selection from the country's colourful and unusual stories. The author collected them herself in the field from local oral tradition and has retold them in a splendidly accessible and entertaining style. Great for any child who enjoys fairy tales. || Told in a graceful light-hearted style, this unusual collection is perfect for reading aloud in the classroom. || A wonderful collection of eight desert tales from Somalia. Beautifully re-told stories. || The stories are perfectly complemented by Shelley Fowles light-hearted illustrations. These would be lovely short tales for bed-time, or at the end of a busy school day. || As well as being a delight in themselves, these tales will serve to emphasise to young readers that however different we may look and however differently we may live, nevertheless we share a common existence in which we all face the same basic uncertainties and fears. As ever, the underdog triumphs, and considerable humour (well expressed in Shelley Fowles' illustrations) leavens the magic and underscores the moral of each story. This is an immensely enjoyable and valuable collection for adult and child readers alike. || Provides an excellent introduction to the tradition of oral storytelling. Highly reminiscent of the classic Aesop's Fables, many of the tales feature anthropomorphic animals abd their relationship with man. These short, engaging stories are perfect to read aloud in class and raise plenty of thought-provoking topics for discussion. Expertly illustrated by Shelley Fowles, the evocative black and white drawings add further appeal to children reading by themselves. || Lively, fresh and entertaining, filled with wisdom and wit. While the stories' landscapes belong to the country, the characters and predicaments are, as with all traditional tales, universally recognisable.
Author Bio
Elizabeth Laird is the renowned author of Kiss the Dust, The Garbage King and A Little Piece of Ground. She has been shortlisted five times for the Carnegie Medal. She has a longstanding interest in Persian literature and has travelled extensively throughout the Middle East. Her other books for Frances Lincoln are Pea Boy: Stories from Iran, A Fistful of Pearls: Stories from Iraq, and The Ogress and the Snake: Stories from Somalia. Elizabeth divides her time between London and Edinburgh.

Shelley Fowles was born in South Africa. Her books include The Bachelor and the Bean, winner of the U.S. Maron Vannett Ridgway Honor Book Award 2004. She lives in east London.

To visit Shelley Fowles' website click here