Wise and not so wise : ten tales from the rabbis / selected and retold by Phillis Gershator ; designed and illustrated by Alexa Ginsburg

Talmudic and midrashic folklore use the teachings of the ancient sages to answer questions and teach moral lessons, often with a dash of humor. In this delightful collection of stories, Phillis Gershator takes these spiritual and folkloric elements and weaves them together with her own unique humor and wisdom to create a very special version of the wondrous tales that have captivated readers for centuries. Gershator, inspired by hearing talmudic and midrashic tales from her late father-in-law (a rabbi), has assembled ten of her favorites in this volume. Stories of flying rabbis, miraculous loaves of bread, wise women, muscle-bound angels, and goats that carry bears on their heads will enchant children of all ages and those who read to them. From "Making It Rain," about a husband and wife who helped bring rain to a parched land, to "The Observant Cow," a religious cow who manages to convert a nonbeliever into an observant Jew, each story contains lessons, truths, jokes, surprises, and happy endings. Author's notes help readers understand the subtle meaning of each story.… (more)