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The Earth Shook: A Persian Tale
by
Donna Jo Napoli (Goodreads Author),
Gabi Swiatkowska
Little Parisa--Farsi for "like an angel"--goes to bed one night only to be shaken from sleep by an earthquake that rocks her home of Bam, Iran. Frightened and alone--the earthquake has left her town deserted--Parisa knocks on the doors of various animals, only to be rebuffed again and again. Boar accuses her of being a hunter; Owl blames her for taking his food a...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 18th 2009
by Hyperion Book CH
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Ok, I just didn't get this story at all. Didn't make any sense. It starts out with a little Iranian girl, Parisa, falling asleep and being awoken by an earthquake. Then she tries to find survivors, but all she encounters are animals who are mean and threatening. Are the animals supposed to stand for other people, each fighting to survive, every man for himself? Then she decides to, by herself, recreate culture, with music, dancing, cooking, and laughter. When she does so, the animals becom...more
This is a faniciful tale about a child orphaned after the 2003 earthquake in Iran. As she knocks on doors looking for other humans, she meets animals who have been wronged by humans or other animals in the past, and they threaten her. When she is at the end of her energy for fear, she begins to "do what humans do" and waters flowers, cooks food, etc. The animals gradually come to join her.
This book begins abruptly with the earthquake and the child being alone, then stays d...more
This book begins abruptly with the earthquake and the child being alone, then stays d...more
Jess Brown
rated it
Shelves:
childrens-lit,
animals,
elementary,
picture-book,
school-visit,
storytelling,
folktale,
iran
Donna Jo Napoli uses her gift of tale-telling in The Earth Shook: A Persian Tale complimented by gorgeous oil painting illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowski. The story tells of Parisa who dreams herself into a world where there are no humans. Shunned by different animals in turn, she uses what makes her human to connect with the animals. A story that could be adapted nicely for telling aloud, also a great read aloud thanks to the beautiful illustrations and simplicity and readability. It has some vi...more
This was a beautifully written and illustrated picture book. It was an amazing story and to have a tragedy told throught the voice and eyes of a child is a unique experience. My son was sad when I explained what an earthquake was but he was fascinated by the young girl's experience. Children need to be aware of our enviornment and of the natural disasters that can occur, but this book was wise to do it from a child's perspective.
This was just a bit bizarre. I understand there was an earthquake, and I get the idea that the animals come from folklore but the story was weird and unsatisfying. I read it, but I wasn't impressed. I hoped for a better narrative thread. I hoped for a narrative thread in general, and it just wasn't there.
A little girl survives the earthquake of 2003 in Iran, and must confront fears (depicted as animals) to learn resilience.
The animals seemed a little aggressive and frightening, but in the end they all come together and are friends.
The animals seemed a little aggressive and frightening, but in the end they all come together and are friends.
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This is a persian tale. It is interesting because the story is talking about survivor. A little girl is the only survivor from an earthquake. She is learning to be brave. As a teacher, teaching students about helping the less fortunate can help improve other people lives.
Beautiful pictures with lots of subtle details. Losses some connections to the recent history, but the traditional connections are wonderful
Cool book based on a Persian folktale about a girl who meets various animals after an earthquake hits her home. The art is styled like Persian art.
An interesting book with great illustrations telling a classic Iranian fairy tale. A blah story with above average pictures.
Igraine
marked it as auf-gar-keinen-fall
Ruth
marked it as to-read
Beka
marked it as to-read
Ashley Marie Holden
marked it as to-read
Cindi Kerr
marked it as to-read
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
Ilana Alazzeh
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From her website:
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction.
Donna Jo has five children. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden and bake bread.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked...more
More about Donna Jo Napoli...
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction.
Donna Jo has five children. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden and bake bread.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked...more
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