Status
Available
Call number
Series
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Collection
Publication
Wisdom Tales (2014), Hardcover, 32 pages
Description
When Samuel's father, the grand vizier, hears Hamza call Samuel names and tells his son to make sure Hamza never speaks an unkind word to him again, Samuel knows he must obey but has a hard time finding the right means to do so. Includes information about Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid and the legend which inspired the story.
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Mass Import -- Pending Differentiation)
National Jewish Book Award (Finalist — Illustrated Children's Book — 2014)
Middle East Book Award (Honorable Mention — Picture Book — 2014)
Aesop Prize (Accolade — 2014)
Skipping Stones Honor Award (2015)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
A bright, inviting cover shows two middle-Eastern buys stubbornly facing away from each other. But something in the body language invites young readers to believe these two might become friends. And so begins Jacqueline Jules’ wise story, based on a Jewish tale from Medieval Spain. Illustrations
When a distracted young Samuel bumps into the tax collector’s son, Hamza responds with an insult. So, does an accident give one boy a right to call another one names? The vizier doesn’t think so, but, rather than punishing Hamza, he simply tells Samuel to make sure the other boy never says a mean word to him again. How can Samuel do this?
Young readers will be amused at Samuel’s ideas, while their parents take delight in a friendship born of youthful enthusiasm. The result is a short story with a great lesson, much to smile about, and plenty to keep both adults and children amused as they read together. A final author’s note provides background for the tale, adding depth and relevance for the present day. If only more of us could learn this pleasing way to make sure no mean words are repeated.
Artistically, linguistically, and culturally inviting, this is a book that anyone should delight to share with children. It teaches friendship, wisdom, and a fine no-bullying approach—highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
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by Durga Yael Bernhard match the story perfectly, blending simple images, beautiful designs, and wonderful facial expressions to carry children from page to page.When a distracted young Samuel bumps into the tax collector’s son, Hamza responds with an insult. So, does an accident give one boy a right to call another one names? The vizier doesn’t think so, but, rather than punishing Hamza, he simply tells Samuel to make sure the other boy never says a mean word to him again. How can Samuel do this?
Young readers will be amused at Samuel’s ideas, while their parents take delight in a friendship born of youthful enthusiasm. The result is a short story with a great lesson, much to smile about, and plenty to keep both adults and children amused as they read together. A final author’s note provides background for the tale, adding depth and relevance for the present day. If only more of us could learn this pleasing way to make sure no mean words are repeated.
Artistically, linguistically, and culturally inviting, this is a book that anyone should delight to share with children. It teaches friendship, wisdom, and a fine no-bullying approach—highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Miss_Annie_O
This classic Jewish/Muslim folktale describes the life a little boy who is the son of the grand vizier (a very important man). No one wanted to be his friend - especially not Hamza; the two boys had difficulties whenever they were in the same room together. Samuel would accidentally run into him or
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spill a drink all over his nice white tunic. Hamza said some very harsh words to Samuel after the spill, so Samuel decided to seek his fathers advice which was; "Make sure Hamza nevver says a mean word to you again." Samuel tried to think of all the things he could possibly do to keep his adversary's mouth shut and eventually determined that a very sour lemon would do the trick. However, once he got to the boys house, they found themselves playing catch with the lemon instead! Each day, Samuel tried to get Hamza to tell his father that he would never say a mean word to him again, but found himself playing again! They drew pictures, played chess, had a water fight in the lake, and eventually became accustomed to one another... They became friends. After the many days of playing with Hamza, he gave Samuel a gift, at which point the grand vizier walked up and Samuel realized that because he became friends with Hamza, he would never say a mean word about him again. Show Less
ISBN
193778620X / 9781937786205