The Magic Orange Tree Book
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The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales Illustrated by Elsa Henriquez Random House–Schocken, New York, 1997, softbound ISBN 0–8052–1077–6 An American Library Association Notable Recommended for families and all ages When Diane Wolkstein, herself a well–known storyteller, traveled throughout the Haitian countryside in search of stories, she harvested a rich collection of twenty–seven tales, each of which is illuminated by fascinating 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. Other Haitian stories: The Banza and Bouki Dances the Kokioko Translations and Audio Editions: - Japanese edition published by Iwanami Shoten Musical adaptations: The story of “Owl,” retold as Owl in Love, was scored to music by composer Jon Deak and performed at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. “Owl,” rewritten as “Owl and Nightingale,” was scored to music by Australian composer Pat Rix for her 2002 opera My Life, My Love, which was premiered at the State Opera in Adelaide, Australia. |
Reviews for The Magic Orange Tree Book
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What readers are saying:
“Diane Wolkstein will go down as someone who made Haiti known to children and adults in America and around the world.”— Raymond Joseph, Haitian Ambassador to the U.S. “Folk tales reveal a great deal about a culture-what it values, how members of the society relate, what their beliefs are. These tales do exactly that. While they aren’t as clear-cut, with a defined beginning, middle, and end, as American readers have become accustomed to, these stories convey a great detail about Haiti. Life is unfinished; hardship is to be embraced and studied; the spirit world is right here at hand, not a million miles away above the clouds. Even on their own, they stand as a monument to the creative act and the power of the human intellect. These stories will infect your head like a virus, spreading and replicating, until you have to pass them on. Read them casually, and you will be enlightened. Study them seriously, and you may be transformed.” — Kevin L. Nenstiel “I lived in a remote village in Haiti for five years and found this book while home in the USA for a visit. I found its stories unusual and charming — and authentic! When I returned to Haiti I had a wonderful time with my Haitian friends as I related the stories I had read in this book and they would finish telling them with me and share how their mothers and fathers had shared these same stories with them. An unusual, charming and authentic book of Haitian folktales!” — Amazon.com Customer “Quirky and Fun. If you’re looking for stories with pat, solid endings, this is not the book for you. But, if you’re looking for something that reflects the eccentricity and style of Haiti, then this is it. The stories are magical and you can almost see the people telling them for themselves! Kric?” — Amazon.com Customer “The Eyes Widen and the Mouths Pop Open upon Hearing these Stories. If you’re new to storytelling, these three stories are a great start: “The Magic Orange Tree”, “I’m Tipingee…”, and “One, My Darling, Come to Mama”” — James Charnock
What critics are saying:
“‘The Magic Orange Tree’ holds a special place in my heart. It is the story that has gleaned the most consistent joyful response in the years of telling to children in 37 states and for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Europe. Though my former K-1 students are in their thirties, on any chance meeting, I’ll still be greeted with, ‘Hey, Miss Klein, you still telling “Orange Tree?’ I was told recently in the post office by a former student, ‘Miss Klein, I have one of your tapes. My little girl–she’s five–we love listening to ‘Orange Tree’ together.” What makes that story so tenacious? Well, deep within layers of the story lies the key to the courage and strength required for any being to become individuated…to know who she is. — Susan Klein (in interview from “The Oral Tradition Today - An Introduction to the Art of Storytelling by Liz Warren”) “Wolkstein is a person who can bridge cultures in such a way as to bring understanding, wit, humor and moral meaning along with the words.” — Barre Toelken, Journal of Latin American Literature & Arts “This book is sheer delight. Grown-ups and children of all ages, will revel in it.” — Lillian Ross, The New Yorker “It is a joy to have this book, not only to read it, but to listen to it. The Magic Orange Tree is a gift.” — P.L. Travers “The spirit of Haiti comes alive in this rich collection of tales.” — Booklist “The amazing thing about this collection is Wolkstein’s introductions…she tells you about the teller and the setting in which each tale was collected…it is like taking a storytelling tour of Haiti. I require all of my storytelling students to read these intros to understand the variety of the storytelling tradition. Plus the stories are really great for telling. And she includes the music! Every school and public library should own this!” — Margaret R. Macdonald “An unusual and arresting book… Wolkstein’s prefatory notes are so eloquent and so filled with flashes of light thrown upon the customs, beliefs, and practices of the Haitian people that nothing else seems to be wanted.” — Katherine M. Briggs |
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