Another author I have just discovered, and am so glad I did, is Adèle Geras. I’ve been aware of her name, seen some of her books, but had never read anything by her. I just finished a most delightful books of stories by her, and can’t wait to read more of her work! Here’s what Booklist said about My Grandmother’s Stories: A Collection of Jewish Folktales.
“Like all good stories in the Yiddish tradition, the pleasure of Geras’ collection comes as much from the telling as from what happens. These are stories within stories: the narrator remembers herself as a young child hearing them from her grandmother, as they cooked, hung up laundry, prepared for the Sabbath, or cleaned house for Passover. This framing of the stories emphasizes their continuing pleasure across generations; and customs, idioms, traditions, even recipes that the Jews brought with them from Eastern Europe are an unobtrusive part of the telling.”
Each story was inspired by Geras’s grandmother, and each one teaches a lesson in the kind and endearing way a grandmother would teach her beloved grandchildren. This collection was illustrated by Anita Lobel, whose illustrations were as delightful as the stories.
This book won the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 1991. I read it for Callista’s Jewish Literature Challenge, and it was a wonderful find.
A Fondness For Reading 
My favorite Adele Geras is Apricots at Midnight. I read it to my girls when they about 8 or so. It is back in print and my oldest (now 30) presented it to me for Mother’s Day last year. A reminder of a treasured memory.
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I’ve never heard of this writer, before now. I’m definitely putting this on my list of things to read to my daughter! It sounds great–thanks for this 🙂
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Another excellent sounding book! And I love that illustration.
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Sharon, I’ve heard that title but haven’t read anything else by her. I’m going to change that! I’ve put Apricots at Midnight on a hold at the library. Thanks!
Gentle Reader, I think you and your daughter would really enjoy these stories. I’m going to read some of them to my second graders and see how they like them.
Nymeth, the illustrations are as wonderful as the stories — one of those perfect combinations. I just love Anita Lobel’s art.
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I am VERY excited about this!
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Jessica, it’s a lovely little book, and I think it would be wonderful to share with your kids.
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