Set in the city of Fez in Morocco, “The Storytellers” by Ted Lewin brings to life the hustle and bustle of a marketplace filled with stalls, sights and smells, animals and shoppers. An exotic land of mystery, Morocco is the perfect place to set a story. The author and his wife certainly thought so on their trip to Fez nearly ten years ago as they followed a storyteller through the streets of the town, and this book was the result.
Abdul and his grandfather are on their way to work, making a path through the long strings of pack mules laden with wares to sell. They walk on streets of smooth cobblestone, passing the yarn makers as they go. Their friend, the falconer, greets them on the street, his arm held high, a beautiful bird perched on his hand. They are going to the desert to hunt on this beautiful day.
They pass the tanners, handling long pieces of animal skin. The coppersmiths bang bowls, and the city is alive with the noise.
When they reach the old gate, Abdul and his grandfather get ready to do their work. They take seats on the carpet they brought with them, and Abdul opens the pigeon cage he has been carrying and out flies the bird, who then sits on top of his head.
A crowd assembles and Grandfather tells his story, his use of words transfixing his listeners. They throw coins in appreciation, and Abdul thinks that of all the workers they have seen today, they surely must have the best job in the world.
This picture book shows the rich culture and heritage of the land of Morocco and teaches that there is beauty to be found all over the world in the languages, traditions and the people of other lands.
(This book was published in 1998 by Lothrop, Lee and Shepard and was illustrated by the author.)
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