Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale

by Ehud Ben-Ezer, Uri Shulevitz (Illustrator)

Hosni is a shepherd who has always wanted to see the city across the desert. One day the sheik he works for asks Hosni to make the journey with him and other shepherds to sell his camels. Each shepherd is given one gold dinar, and Hosni spends his on a piece of wisdom. Everyone laughs at Hosni for squandering his small fortune, but his purchase soon saves his life--and changes it forever. Full color.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Middle East

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1997

About the author

Ehud Ben Ezer (Hebrew: אהוד בן עזר) is an Israeli writer, playwright, poet, editor, publicist, and biographer.

Reviews

[Abigail]

Israeli author Ehud Ben-Ezer and American illustrator Uri Shulevitz join forces in this entertaining picture book based on Arab folklore, as the eponymous shepherd dreams of the far-off places. Elated when he is able to accompany the sheikh who employs him on a journey to the city, Hosni keeps his eyes open, spending his single dinar on a single verse of poetry. Although mocked by his fellow shepherds, the wisdom of these words—"Don't cross the water until you know its depths"—saves his life, and introduces him to someone who will become a life-long companion...

I was well acquainted with Uri Shulevitz's work, when picking up Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale, having enjoyed a number of his other picture books, including his Caldecott Medal-winning The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship , the Caldecott Honor-winning Snow , and his adaptation of a Peretz tale, The Magician , which I loved as a girl. Ehud Ben-Ezer, on the other hand, was a new name for me, which was exciting, as I have been meaning to improve my familiarity with Israeli children's literature. That being said, I'm not sure this is a translation, as I see no information about an original edition, nor about any translator, in the book's colophon. Perhaps Ben-Ezer wrote the story here in English, intending it for American publication. However that may be, I found this one very enjoyable, appreciating both the story and the artwork. The text is well-written and engaging, drawing the reader into Hosni's story, while the artwork shines. The color scheme used here is suffused with light, and works perfectly for a story set in a desert locale. My only critique of the book would be that I wish some information about the original Arab folktale upon which the story was based had been included. It felt very familiar to me, as if I had read it in another form somewhere (not unlikely, given how much folklore I read), but I couldn't place it. Leaving that aside, this is one I would recommend to young folklore lovers. For my part, I intend to track down the only other children's book available in English from Ben-Ezer, the historical adventure, Riders on the Yarkon River .

[Karen GoatKeeper]

This is an Arabian tale. The illustrations made me think of the "Arabian Nights", the desert. The camels are superb.
Hosni is a shepherd for a sheikh. He is allowed to go to the city with the sheikh and others to sell camels. He has long dreamed of going to the city.
While there, with the money he is paid, he buys a verse, some advice, for which the others laugh at him. On the return trip, this advice is ignored by all, but Hosni.

[Rani]

#Desert #City #Travel #Shepherd #Arab #YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading Hosni, a keeper of #tradition, wishes to see the city. He spends his #treasure to seek #wisdom. The rewards were amazing!

[Kelly]

Enjoyable story.

[Sandy]

Beautiful illustrations. My child thought the ending was a bit sudden, and that the story might get too dark for young children, but overall enjoyed this Arabian tale.

[Robert Ellington]

Wonderful tale about respecting everyone!

[Jeani]

"There is defiance in being a dreamer" (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue)

[Terri Lynn]

This is a wonderful story with wonderful illustrations. The illustrations made me want to climb inside them!

This is the story of a shepherd named Hosni who worked for a sheikh tending his sheep all alone by day then shunning the company of the other shepherds at night in favor of joining the tribal elders in their tent to quietly listen to their stories of travel and adventures in faraway cities. Hosni had never traveled anywhere so this inspired exciting dreams so real he felt like he had been there. He told his sheep about the dreams and a shepherd overheard him and told the others which led them to make fun of him.

Hosni didn't care. He just waited for his first chance to go with his sheikh employer when he went to the city to sell some camels. At first, Hosni wasn't chosen for the trip but when another shepherd got sick, he was allowed to replace him.

The wadi- riverbed- was dry and empty when they crossed on the way to the city. Once the sheikh sold the camels, he gave each shepherd a gold dinar and allowed them the rest of the day off to enjoy the bazaar and the city. The other shepherds abandoned Hosni so he wandered alone thinking the city was like his dream and the elders' tales. He saw shiny pots, decorative plates, color cloth and robes and exotic carpets all for sale. There were delicious foods- couscous, kebabs, falafel, pilaf, and sweet halveh.

Hosni chose to spend his money in a small shop where one could buy a bit of wisdom for one gold dinar. Though the shepherds and the sheikh later made fun of him, the advice he got- Don't cross the water until you know its depth- turned out to save his life, unexpectedly lead to his freedom to travel, and gain him the heart and hand of a wonderful young woman. Do read this!!!! It is perfect from start to finish.

[Meltha]

The story follows a very traditional pattern: the person everyone makes fun of for thinking too much is the only one to know what to do in a dangerous situation, and he winds up with the girl. The illustrations were a little unusual, almost like caricatures at times, with a lot of golden tones to represent the desert. The deaths of the sheik and the rest of the workers, along with the girl's servant, are a little startling, but certainly not out of place for folklore. I wish there had been some notes with this, though. I'm not sure if this is a traditional Arabian tale or if Ben-Ezer created this himself. Either way, it's a serviceable story that captures some traditional storytelling conventions and could be used even to discuss bullying.

[Alice]

I read this book a few years ago. I remember that I liked it, but not sure why so I read it again! Why I like it. I good story. Almost a proverb, or tale handed down from generation to generation. Also, listen to wise people. Sometimes the simple instructions seems stupid and a waste of time, but then could save your life 3 years later this is a thumbs up for me!

[Bree]

Notes:
beautiful art
people suddenly die in a flash flood
ending is abrupt but story is still good
3.5 stars

[Karen]

This is a beautiful picture book, with a very good story. The story may not, however, be appropriate for the youngest of listeners, so you may want to pre-read and use your discretion.

[Blair]

i also got this from my parent's friend. it is a good lession about dreams.

[Tracy]

I think I like the illustrations, more than the narrative.

[Melissa]

Just fabulous!

[Sparrows at Home]

Hosni listens to the wise words of an old man and by doing so, he is spared and rewarded.