Book cover photo source: Barnes and Noble, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mightier-Than-the-Sword/Jane-Yolen/e/9780152163914/?itm=5, accessed September 30, 2008.Bibliography
Yolen, Jane, Trans. 2003. MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: World Folktales for Strong Boys. Ill. By Raul Colon. New York: Harcourt Books. ISBN 0152163913
Yolen, Jane, Trans. 2003. MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: World Folktales for Strong Boys. Ill. By Raul Colon. New York: Harcourt Books. ISBN 0152163913
Plot Summary
In this collection of fourteen familiar and unfamiliar stories from Russia to Afghanistan, Norway to Angola, and everywhere in-between, Jane Yolen tells us the tales of brothers, sons, kings and Shepard’s, whose heroism comes from intelligence, judgment, character, and sympathy for others. The men and boys in these stories teach us that “brains trump brawn almost every time”, and that being a hero “is about being clever, learning from your mistakes, being kind and compassionate, and finding good friends.”
Critical Analysis
Jane Yolen introduces us to these fourteen wonderful tales with an open letter to her sons and grandson. The way she talks about why she chose to write these stories, “I think that the true heroes are the ones who solve their problems-and the problems of the world-without ever having to resort to force. The tongue is mightier than the sword,” should make us all sit up and take notice.
In “The Magic Brocade”, three brothers must make the right choices in order to save their dying mother. Two of the brothers are too afraid of the journey that they are asked to take and too greedy with the money they are given to help her. These two end up lonely and poor at the end of the tale. But the youngest brother, the compassionate son, faces the challenge head-on, thus bringing health and happiness to his mother and himself for the rest of their days.
There are thirteen other stories in this collection of tales, all teaching the value of strength without force. Some such as the Irish “Jack and His Companions,” which favors “The Bremen Town Musicians” will be familiar to readers, while others such as the Israeli tale, “And Who Cured the Princess?” will be less so. Raul Colon’s black and white pen and ink drawings complement the text beautifully. They are scattered about the book with one drawing for each story including a stunning book cover done in muted tones of black, gold and blue.
Review Excerpt(s)
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Yolen, an undisputable queen of storytelling, shines with these retellings. A stellar read-aloud volume as well as just right for independent readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “While she is particularly interested in reaching boys with this message, these 14 folktales will appeal equally well to girls. Her versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point.”
Critical Analysis
Jane Yolen introduces us to these fourteen wonderful tales with an open letter to her sons and grandson. The way she talks about why she chose to write these stories, “I think that the true heroes are the ones who solve their problems-and the problems of the world-without ever having to resort to force. The tongue is mightier than the sword,” should make us all sit up and take notice.
In “The Magic Brocade”, three brothers must make the right choices in order to save their dying mother. Two of the brothers are too afraid of the journey that they are asked to take and too greedy with the money they are given to help her. These two end up lonely and poor at the end of the tale. But the youngest brother, the compassionate son, faces the challenge head-on, thus bringing health and happiness to his mother and himself for the rest of their days.
There are thirteen other stories in this collection of tales, all teaching the value of strength without force. Some such as the Irish “Jack and His Companions,” which favors “The Bremen Town Musicians” will be familiar to readers, while others such as the Israeli tale, “And Who Cured the Princess?” will be less so. Raul Colon’s black and white pen and ink drawings complement the text beautifully. They are scattered about the book with one drawing for each story including a stunning book cover done in muted tones of black, gold and blue.
Review Excerpt(s)
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Yolen, an undisputable queen of storytelling, shines with these retellings. A stellar read-aloud volume as well as just right for independent readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “While she is particularly interested in reaching boys with this message, these 14 folktales will appeal equally well to girls. Her versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point.”
Connections
In the back of the book Yolen tells the history behind each of these stories. Students could research the original stories and compare and contrast the new to the old. This would also be a great lesson on geography where in pairs, the students could be given one of the different countries that the stories came from and do a study on its culture and how it fits into the tale.
Other traditional tales by Jane Yolen:
Sleeping Ugly ISBN 0698115600
Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth ISBN 0060591358
The Emperor and the Kite ISBN 0698116445
Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls ISBN 0512020470
In the back of the book Yolen tells the history behind each of these stories. Students could research the original stories and compare and contrast the new to the old. This would also be a great lesson on geography where in pairs, the students could be given one of the different countries that the stories came from and do a study on its culture and how it fits into the tale.
Other traditional tales by Jane Yolen:
Sleeping Ugly ISBN 0698115600
Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth ISBN 0060591358
The Emperor and the Kite ISBN 0698116445
Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls ISBN 0512020470
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