Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A-Z Challenge: H is for Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale



Title: Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale

Author: Ehud Ben-Ezer

Illustrator: Uri Shulevitz

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), September 30, 1997
Ages: 4 – 8

Themes/Topics: Multicultural Folktale, Desert, Shepherd, Dreams, Arabia

Summary:
Hosni is a shepherd who has always wanted to see the city across the desert. One day the sheik he works for asks Hosni to make the journey with him and other shepherds to sell his camels. Each shepherd is given one gold dinar, and Hosni spends his on a piece of wisdom. Everyone laughs at Hosni for squandering his small fortune, but his purchase soon saves his life--and changes it forever.

Resources:
1) A class discussion on times when someone had given us advice and we did not take it.
2) Partner up and make up our own fortunes
3) Have students research the Arabian Peninsula. Find pictures of deserts, camels and nomad and make a collage.
3) Coloring Pages: CamelCaravanCamel in desert 

Why I like the book:
 Here is another folktale that comes from the Arabian Peninsula. While this type of story has been done before, quite a lot actually, the lone dreamer, the wise fool who outsmarts everyone else, Ben-Ezer does a great job making this tale unique and fresh. The illustrator does a wonderful job creating the arid dry desert scenes and vibrant desert marketplace. 

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