Books:
Abulafia, Part of My Heart: DreamSongs
An interweaving of stories and songs recounting the adventure of the soul. In it we find a vivid and remarkable series of dreams reminiscent of the parables of Kafka and Calvino.
The Banza
A Haitian story of friendship between a small goat and a tiger in which the courage to sing the story of one’s heart brings freedom. Illustrated by Marc Brown. Featured on PBS’ Reading Rainbow and Storytime. $40.00
Bouki Dances the Kokioko
In this comical tale from Haiti, awkward Bouki wins the dance contest while sly Malice walks away with the prize. Illustrated by Jesse Sweetwater. An Aesop’s Awards Accolade Book.
Esther’s Story
In diary form, Esther describes how she risks her life to save her people. Jewel–like Persian miniature illustrations by Juan Wijngaard. Winner of Aesop’s Awards Accolade and Sydney Taylor Library Award.
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The First Love Stories: From Isis and Osiris to Tristan and Iseult
Each of the seven stories in this volume, mysterious testaments to the passion and compassion in the human spirit, expresses a different aspect of love.
The Glass Mountain
The princess falls into a glass mountain, and is imprisoned by Old Rinkrank. After rescuing herself, she and her belovéd create a welcoming garden for all beings. Adapted from the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by Louisa Bauer.
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Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer
A fresh retelling of the ancient texts about Ishtar, the world’s first goddess. Illustrated with visual artifacts of the period. P.L. Travers wrote that Wolkstein’s Inanna is a “splendid mutual accomplishment and a great gift of mythology… Inanna is a book to be cherished”, and Mircea Eliade called it “a great masterpiece of universal literature.”
Little Mouse’s Painting
Little Mouse paints a painting, and all her friends think they see themselves in her painting. Illustrated by Maryjane Begin. Three–star reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal.
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The Magic Orange Tree & Other Haitian Folktales (Paperback edition)
With a new Preface by Diane Wolkstein, and a new Foreword by Edwidge Danticat. This volume collects twenty–seven Haitian folktales and songs. Wolkstein traveled the Haitian countryside in search of stories, then harvested a rich collection of tales, each of which is illuminated by introductory notes. From orange trees growing at the command of a child to talking fish, these stories present us with a world of wonder, delight, and mystery. With drawings by Elsa Henriquez. $12.00
The Magic Orange Tree & Other Haitian Folktales (Hardcover edition)
The classic collection of twenty–seven easy to read and tell Haitian stories with illustrations, music, and introductory notes. Excellent for beginning storytellers. This is the original 1978 hardcover printing, in pristine condition. Only one copy left.
Oom Razoom, or Go I Know Not Where, Bring Back I Know Not What: A Russian Tale
A Russian fairy tale in which an envious King sends his archer “I Know Not Where.” The archer discovers the secret of his belovéd’s heart. Illustrated by Dennis McDermott. American Library Association Notable – Social Studies.
Step by Step
A friendly, easy–to–read story of a small ant who ventures out by herself to visit her friend and returns home safely. Illustrated by Jos. A. Smith.
Sun Mother Wakes the World
A powerful retelling of an Australian creation story, illuminated by illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft’s beautifully realized paintings.
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Treasures of the Heart
A book that took Diane eight years to complete, Treasures of the Heart is a unique rendition of Hebrew Bible stories that are part of the foundation of Judaism and Western literature. Diane seamlessly weaves oral legends into the fabric of the ancient texts, creating new stories that remain true to the spirit of their original sources. Award Winner at the 2005 Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice Awards.
DVDs
Celebrating Our Mistakes
On a September evening in 1994, Shlomo Carlebach and Diane Wolkstein traded stories of the Baal Shem Tov and the Seer of Lublin before an appreciative audience at the American Museum of Natural History. The energy radiating from the two tellers created such joy and love that members of the audience spontaneously called out “L’Chayim!” (“To life!”). We hope that some of that energy — and the resulting joy and love — touches you as you enjoy Celebrating Our Mistakes. Program notes included. 2008 Storytelling World Awards Honor Winner..
Watch Diane tell “The Master Thief”…
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Diane Wolkstein: A Storyteller’s Story
A Storyteller’s Story explores the extraordinary career of Diane Wolkstein, one of the world’s most celebrated storytellers. Through archival footage, in–depth interviews, and spellbinding performances, this thirty–seven minute film illuminates the power of storytelling and shows one woman’s courageous journey to communicate heart–to–heart. In addition to the feature, this DVD also includes numerous special features, such as extended live performances, interviews and more. Official Selection: Women’s International Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival.
Inanna
Inanna is a 21st Century rendering of a 5,000 year–old Sumerian epic. Told with humor and passion, this primal epic recounts the soul’s compelling discovery of compassion. Composer Geoffrey Gordon provides a musical score which evokes an atmosphere of mystery, stillness, and terror. Recorded live at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. In addition to Diane’s performance of Innana, the DVD includes interviews with Samuel Noah Kramer and HarperCollins editor Hugh Van Dusen.
“To hear, to see Diane Wolkstein perform Inanna is to understand the power of myth.” — Olivier Bernier, Metropolitan Museum of Art
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CDs
Joseph, the Master Dreamer
Diane tells the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, weaving into the narrative little known oral legends. Recommended for all ages and religious backgrounds. A Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner.
Psyche & Eros
An enchanting, spellbinding rendition of how the beautiful Psyche becomes the bride of Eros, the God of Love. Includes two Greek love songs.
Hans Christian Andersen: Classic Stories
This collection of six Andersen stories (including “Hans Clodhopper,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “The Nightingale”) is an American Library Association Notable and considered by many to be one of the best recordings of the Danish author’s immortal fairy tales.
Also available on iTunes and Audible.com (MP3)
Romping
A joyous, spellbinding collection of stories and songs which follow the seasons. Includes two tales from Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad are Friends. Accompanied by Shirley Keller on banjo and pots and pans. Recommended for three to eight–year–olds and any parents who drive car pools. A Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner.
The Magic Orange Tree & Other Haitian Folktales (CD)
A Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner
In the 1970’s Diane Wolkstein traveled throughout Haiti and recorded a rich collection of Haitian folktales. With delightful musical accompaniment by Shirley Keller, Wolkstein tells five of these stories so intimately we feel as if she is sitting directly in front of us, inviting us into the unique culture and imagination of the Haitian people. 2001 Storytelling World Resource Award Winner.
Also available on iTunes and Bandcamp (MP3, FLAC)
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For more information, visit our page dedicated to Haiti and The Magic Orange Tree!
Need help with your order?
If you have any questions about your order, please email us at wolkstein.publicity@gmail.com. Thank you!