Riding a donkey backwards Wise and foolish tales of Mulla Nasruddin

Is he a wise man or a fool? Though Nasruddin has many different names, the trickster about whom these stories are told is known throughout the Muslim world. Taylor (The Snowbear) and the U.K.-based Khayaal Theatre recount each story in a page or two. In the first, after a thief absconds with Nasruddin's worldly goods, Nasruddin trails him all the way home and climbs into his bed. The thief asks him what he's doing-"I thought we were moving to your house," Nasruddin replies. In another, a begging Nasruddin takes big silver coins in preference to smaller gold coins, though they're less valuable: "If I choose the gold coin," he explains, "everyone will stop giving me money." Diorama-like miniature sets by artist Adl (Mabrook! A World of Muslim Weddings) breathe energy and humor into the tales. The marketplace where Nasruddin begs features hand-formed copper pots, miniature bags of grain, and carpets that appear hand-embroidered. The paper cutout figures wear antic expressions and costumes of cut-out fabric. Young listeners will quickly grasp that often, it's Nasruddin's companions who might be the fools. A glossary of terms (Allah, imam) is included. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

K-Gr 3--Humor, trickery, wisdom, and advice--sage and otherwise--infuse this collection of 21 brief tales starring Mulla Nasruddin, a beloved iconic character of Muslim folklore. The simple, clipped narrations are witty and conversational in tone, facilitating successful reading by the target audience and easy-to-comprehend listening (this is a fine readaloud for groups). As is true for many anthologies, the quality of the collection is uneven. Some stories are more fully developed than others; in some selections, punch lines may not be as comprehensible; and morals, where they exist, may seem more obscure. Overall, however, the tales succeed, despite the brevity of some (the two shortest stories comprise a mere three and four sentences, respectively), and humor shines through. The colorful, energetic, and often comical mixed media collages are a draw. Characters' attire, home furnishings and decorations, architectural details, and landscapes suggest a Middle Eastern milieu. Text set against colored background pages heightens visual attractiveness. Additionally, the artwork is notable for inclusiveness, as characters' skin tones are depicted in various shades of brown. A short glossary is included. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public libraries. Students may enact and/or illustrate favorite stories or create original Nasruddin tales. Pair the stories with others about tricksters/wise men/fools from other cultures, e.g., Anansi, the Wise Men of Chelm, etc., and have children compare and contrast.--Carol Goldman, formerly at Queens Library, NY

Mulla Nasruddin, as the preface explains, is a pan-Muslim trickster figure who has captivated storytellers for generations and whose actions constantly challenge perceptions, asking readers and listeners to see things in a different light. For example, you may think that Nasruddin is riding his donkey backwards, but in his view, "I'm facing forward. It's the donkey who's facing backwards!" Each of the twenty-one pithy vignettes in this collection imparts a philosophical, ethical, or intellectual conundrum. In "The Other Side," a man asks Nasruddin, standing on the opposite bank of a river, how he can cross to the other side. Nasruddin, with his usual irascible tone, replies, "What a birdbrain...You are on the other side!" The story "When You Are Dead" asks what one would like said about them at their funeral. Nasruddin's answer: "Look! He's moving!" Mixed-media illustrations incorporate texture that makes each vignette an engrossing visual experience. Paper, tissue, felt, yarn, sticks, miniature woven carpets, and beads are combined with other textures that beg to be touched. With his bulbous nose, towering turban, expressive face, four teeth, and fluffy cotton beard that defies gravity, Nasruddin will be sure to elicit giggles from young readers even as they contemplate the logical puzzles he poses. A glossary is appended, but no source notes are provided. Julie Hakim Azzam November/December 2019 p.102(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Mulla Nasruddin is a foolish man who is also known to be very clever sometimes.Taylor and the U.K.'s Khayaal Theatre invite readers to meet the Middle Eastern Muslim folk character Nasruddin, also revealing that he is known by other names and plays many roles. In these 21 short tales, he appears as a husband, a neighbor, an imam, a young student, and more. One tale reveals an amusing, clever young Nasruddin falling asleep in class and failing to complete the assignment, a picture. When he shows his teacher a blank paper, he says, "I drew a donkey eating grass," claiming the grass was eaten by the donkey and "There was no more grass.So the donkey left!" In another, Nasruddin climbs into the bed of a robber who broke into his house and stole his furniture: "I thought we were moving to your house," he says blandly. Readers learn: why, when begging, Nasruddin takes a silver coin rather than a gold one and why, as an imam, he leaves the mosque without giving a sermon. In Adl's illustrations, Nasruddin has a long white cottony beard and wears a turban. Her use of electric-bright colors (orange, green, yellow, blue) exemplifies Nasruddin's eccentricity, while photocollaged textures add further interest. A short glossary is included, but sources are not.These tales, full of jokes and wisdom, demonstrate why the wise fool is a perennially appealing character. (Folktales. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.