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The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster and other Jewish Stories
A Golem. a Chilli Champion. a Prince who thinks he's a Rooster? Find them all in this collection of traditional Jewish stories - lovingly treasured, retold and carried through countries as far apart as Poland, Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, Morocco, Russia and Germany. The tales feature a cast of eccentric princes, sharp-witted scholars, flustered tailors and brave soldiers. Seasoned with wit, humour and magic, Ann Jungman's retellings of stories familiar to Jewish readers are sure to delight a new, wider readership.
- GenresChildrens
87 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2008
About the author
Ann Jungman
148 books10 followersAnn Jungman was born in London, of German Jewish refugees. She grew up in North London, had a very ordinary childhood and there were certainly no signs of interest in, or particular ability at, writing. After studying law at Exeter University, she read for the Bar at Gray’s Inn. To get some money while studying Ann did some supply teaching. This seemed much more fun and challenging than law, so she decided to train to become a primary school teacher. She says the best bit about this was reading books to children.
Ann began to invent her own stories; the children liked them and she was encouraged enough to write them down. After some years she got one published, ‘Fang the Fiery Dragon’. When a friend invited her to go on a weeks holiday to Romania she found herself in Vampire Land - Transylvania - and there ‘Vlad the Drac’ was born. Vlad has been a huge success and in all six books have been written, translated into many languages, and broadcast on radio and television.
Ann has also written about wolves, witches, trolls, dragons and Frank N Stein’s Monster. “Monsters are fun!” she says, “You can do what you like with them, reality doesn’t have to be taken into account. Anyway, all my monsters turn out to be nice really.” Ann’s books range from picture books to full length novels and cover an age range of three to thirteen. Recent books include the much praised ‘The Most Magnificent Mosque’, and a trilogy about World War II, ‘Resistance’, ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Siege’. Ann is currently writing a novel about the Australian Gold Rush, as well as running her publishing company Barn Owl Books. Barn Owl Books is an independent publishing company that re-releases out-of-print children's books, publishing 8 books a year.
Ann began to invent her own stories; the children liked them and she was encouraged enough to write them down. After some years she got one published, ‘Fang the Fiery Dragon’. When a friend invited her to go on a weeks holiday to Romania she found herself in Vampire Land - Transylvania - and there ‘Vlad the Drac’ was born. Vlad has been a huge success and in all six books have been written, translated into many languages, and broadcast on radio and television.
Ann has also written about wolves, witches, trolls, dragons and Frank N Stein’s Monster. “Monsters are fun!” she says, “You can do what you like with them, reality doesn’t have to be taken into account. Anyway, all my monsters turn out to be nice really.” Ann’s books range from picture books to full length novels and cover an age range of three to thirteen. Recent books include the much praised ‘The Most Magnificent Mosque’, and a trilogy about World War II, ‘Resistance’, ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Siege’. Ann is currently writing a novel about the Australian Gold Rush, as well as running her publishing company Barn Owl Books. Barn Owl Books is an independent publishing company that re-releases out-of-print children's books, publishing 8 books a year.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2019
This second installment in a new series of folklore collections for children from the British publisher Frances Lincoln (see
Ghaddar the Ghoul and Other Palestinian Stories
for the first), contains ten stories taken from the Jewish traditions of Eastern Europe and Northern Africa. British-Australian author Ann Jungman gives many of these tales a fresh and contemporary narrative style.
The folktale enthusiast will encounter old favorites and new delights here, from the famous Golem of Prague to the less well-known Chilli Champion (of Morocco). Like many such tales, the stories in the Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster often provide the reader (or listener, once upon a time) with important moral and ethical lessons. A discontented couple in No Room to Swing a Cat discovers that things can always get worse, and that it is best to appreciate the blessings one has already been given. An old man learns at the end of The Coat of Memories that although physical possessions may eventually deteriorate, memory is eternal. And a king and prince discover that how you act is more important than who you are (or even who you THINK you are) in the eponymous The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster.
The ubiquitous "clever" hero can be seen in The Hundred Faces of the Tsar and The Silent Princess, as can the wise Rabbi in King for Three Days. The unavoidable centrality of luck in human existence is explored in How Does It Feel; and finally, the importance of honor and friendship is seen in the wonderful interfaith Friends for Life.
As with Ghaddar the Ghoul , I enjoyed this collection of tales, and was pleased to see the list of source notes at the back. The black and white illustrations by Sarah Adams were pleasant, if unremarkable. Unfortunately, I feel unable to award this the three stars I might otherwise have given it, due to the irritating absence of a single worthwhile female character in this collection. Given the wealth of clever and worthy women in the Jewish tradition, I find such an absence astonishing.
The folktale enthusiast will encounter old favorites and new delights here, from the famous Golem of Prague to the less well-known Chilli Champion (of Morocco). Like many such tales, the stories in the Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster often provide the reader (or listener, once upon a time) with important moral and ethical lessons. A discontented couple in No Room to Swing a Cat discovers that things can always get worse, and that it is best to appreciate the blessings one has already been given. An old man learns at the end of The Coat of Memories that although physical possessions may eventually deteriorate, memory is eternal. And a king and prince discover that how you act is more important than who you are (or even who you THINK you are) in the eponymous The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster.
The ubiquitous "clever" hero can be seen in The Hundred Faces of the Tsar and The Silent Princess, as can the wise Rabbi in King for Three Days. The unavoidable centrality of luck in human existence is explored in How Does It Feel; and finally, the importance of honor and friendship is seen in the wonderful interfaith Friends for Life.
As with Ghaddar the Ghoul , I enjoyed this collection of tales, and was pleased to see the list of source notes at the back. The black and white illustrations by Sarah Adams were pleasant, if unremarkable. Unfortunately, I feel unable to award this the three stars I might otherwise have given it, due to the irritating absence of a single worthwhile female character in this collection. Given the wealth of clever and worthy women in the Jewish tradition, I find such an absence astonishing.
July 2, 2011
The Chilli Champion (Morocco) ~one star~
I don't have much to say about this story; I found it stupid, and pointless.
No Room To Swing A Cat (Russia) ~four stars~
I recognized this story. I have a version of it called, Too Much Noise. I like it. It kind of hits home with me. The moral? Be happy with what you have, it could always be worse!
The Golem of Prague (former Czechoslovakia) ~three stars~
This was entertaining. The synagogue in the story is apparently a real place, a tourist attraction. I can see that this is a meaningful story for those of the Jewish faith.
Friends For Life (Tunisia) ~three and a half stars~
I love the moral, but the telling of the story is less than spectacular. It's all about being "a man of honor." Integrity. Integrity. Love. Compassion. Integrity.
How Does It Feel? (Poland) ~three stars~
An entertaining story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!
King For Three Days (Germany) ~three stars~
A story about the wisdom of Rabbi Rashi. I'm intrigued. I want to know more. This was another entertaining page turner.
The Coat Of Memories (Russia) ~three stars~
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine,
Memories, memories, sweet memories
The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster (Poland) ~two stars~
Fun to read, but it left no lasting impression. It seems to imply that how you perceive yourself is less important than how others perceive you.
The Hundred Faces Of The Tsar (Russia) ~two stars~
This story touts that being clever, and tricky will help you advance your position in life.
The Silent Princess (Morocco) ~three stars~
The moral? Don't play games with other peoples lives! Great purpose, but I have read better versions...
I don't have much to say about this story; I found it stupid, and pointless.
No Room To Swing A Cat (Russia) ~four stars~
I recognized this story. I have a version of it called, Too Much Noise. I like it. It kind of hits home with me. The moral? Be happy with what you have, it could always be worse!
The Golem of Prague (former Czechoslovakia) ~three stars~
This was entertaining. The synagogue in the story is apparently a real place, a tourist attraction. I can see that this is a meaningful story for those of the Jewish faith.
Friends For Life (Tunisia) ~three and a half stars~
I love the moral, but the telling of the story is less than spectacular. It's all about being "a man of honor." Integrity. Integrity. Love. Compassion. Integrity.
How Does It Feel? (Poland) ~three stars~
An entertaining story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!
King For Three Days (Germany) ~three stars~
A story about the wisdom of Rabbi Rashi. I'm intrigued. I want to know more. This was another entertaining page turner.
The Coat Of Memories (Russia) ~three stars~
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine,
Memories, memories, sweet memories
The Prince Who Thought He Was a Rooster (Poland) ~two stars~
Fun to read, but it left no lasting impression. It seems to imply that how you perceive yourself is less important than how others perceive you.
The Hundred Faces Of The Tsar (Russia) ~two stars~
This story touts that being clever, and tricky will help you advance your position in life.
The Silent Princess (Morocco) ~three stars~
The moral? Don't play games with other peoples lives! Great purpose, but I have read better versions...
January 12, 2012
Lots of nice moral stories, short ones suitable for bedtime and also for further discussion. Dd8 was a bit sceptical when she first saw the book, but ended up loving it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews