In HONEY ON THE PAGE: A Treasury of Yiddish Children’s Literature, Miriam Udel has compiled
an exemplary collection of Yiddish children’s literature.
Drawing on works from
Europe as well as North and South America, she has edited and translated poems
and stories from the original Yiddish that offer readers not only the pleasure
of the storytelling, but also a glimpse into Jewish history and culture. Udel
is clearly a scholar, providing a depth of understanding in her Introduction,
Notes to Young Readers and the succinct biographies that precede each author’s
story. But don’t imagine for a moment that there is anything dry or stiff in
this notable assembly of work. The stories and poems are charming and engaging and beautifully complimented by imaginative illustrations.
The tone is delightfully conversational.
The book is divided
into eight thematic areas:
Jewish Holidays,
History and Heroes
Folktales, Fairy
Tales, Wonder Tales
Wise Fools
Allegories,
Parables, and Fables
School Days
In Life’s Classroom
Jewish Families,
Here and There
In her note TO THE
YOUNG READER, Udel explains that her goal was to share stories that were
appealing, but also teach readers about different cultures, places, and times. Her
work takes the stories a step farther by also identifying shared ideas and
experiences that readers would find relatable.
A comprehensive
Introduction provides a thoughtful discussion of Udel’s inspiration and
methodology in selecting materials. She also takes care to ground the reader in
the historic tradition of Jewish storytelling.
HONEY ON THE PAGE is
an excellent resource for family reading because it will appeal to a broad
audience from preschool to teenager to adult. Young readers will find enjoyable
stories read by grownups. Independent
readers will find an immediate connection to some stories and, as they grow,
have the opportunity to develop appreciation for others. Parents and librarians
will discover a charming collection of new stories to share. Adults looking to widen
their cultural experience or seeking to deepen their understanding of the rich tradition
of Yiddish literature will find a well-researched resource here.
