While Standing on One Foot: Puzzle Stories and Wisdom Tales from the Jewish Tradition

by Nina Jaffe, Steve Zeitlin, John Segal (Illustrator)

Here are eighteen stories from the Jewish tradition that challenge you to answer a question or solve a puzzle. When you've done your best, the authors give you answers that have come down through time. Can you outthink the sages, or will they help you out of a tight spot?

Genres: Jewish, Religion, Judaism, Judaica, Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, Folklore

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost as good as The Cow of No Color: Riddle Stories and Justice Tales from Around the World but suffered a bit by not having tales from diverse traditions. Some were easy; for some I figured out a solution that I like better.

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read a book like this. The formatting and simple storytelling brought back some fond memories. :)

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A delightful collection of Jewish stories of wit and humor. Each of the stories is well-told and I enjoyed the format. There is a short introduction to each story that discusses the time period it is set in and details of its origins. There is a break before the resolution of the story and the reader is encouraged to think up their own solution to the problem. This was a really fun and engaging setup.

A nice mix of stories. Some I was familiar with such as "The Grand Inquisitor" and some I had not heard before. The illustrations added a fun touch.

At the back is a glossary of terms used and a short blurb about each of the stories included. There is also a bibliography of further resources and versions of Jewish tales.

An interesting and engaging collection. I really enjoyed this one.

[Yingfang · Rating 4 out of 5]

智慧小故事
两难的选择：guilty/not guilty:吃掉其中一个纸条
狐狸的心留在岸上
煮熟的鸡蛋和豆子，赔钱
Last wish: old age 老死
最珍贵的东西:不是珠宝，是人
True:hung;false:beheaded, today I will beheaded
Look for question behind the question
The wise fools:beard: you are after your mother. Imaginary fool of Chelm
To pull a man out of the mud, sometimes a friend must set foot into mud
A bird in your hand: the answer us in your hands.
Do onto others as you would have them do onto you, 己所不欲 勿施于人。

同样的故事，那时的prayer， Fire， even the place in the wood都不在了， 一代接一代还在讲

[ashes ➷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so cute! found it lying in my brother's room and was instantly interested; really enjoyed the retellings and found them very accurate to what i'd heard in the past. overall great little book; the formatting of the stories was great.

[Rona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories that I knew, and some I didn't know. This is a worthwhile book to engage children in Jewish stories. Aimed for grade school, maybe 6-10 year olds.
As an adult, my husband read this out loud to me. It was a pleasant way to spend an evening.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little Jewish folktale puzzles. I like Jewish folktales because I’m Jewish. Sadly, I suck at puzzles, but that didn’t affect how much I loved this book. I was glad to have more Jewish culture after reading this book.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had lots of stories. It was fun because I liked the stories.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

You could learn a lot about Jewish history by reading these fables and riddles in chronological order. Let's keep it simple and just say "You could learn a lot," period. Lovely little book.

[Amal Adrioueche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sympa pour les plus jeunes

[A. Housewife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grabbed this off the shelf of the house I'm staying at and just bought a copy to read aloud with one of my kids. I have heard just about all of these stories before (some set in different eras) but I think it gives a very enjoyable slice of portrayal of Jewish history of how Jews have had to rely on their wits in many different historical eras due to oppression and it is inspiring how that quickness of wit is passed down as a methodology of handling when dealing with regimes who are trying to wipe you out.

[Judy Lindow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bite sized folktale snacks, in the Jewish Tradition. You'll want to savor them!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stories. Some I'd heard before. Most were new. I got this book for the patient library at the hospital I work at. I think it's perfect for that setting.