Something from Nothing

by Phoebe Gilman

Book Overview

In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph's baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left--but then Joseph has an idea. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590472801
• ISBN13: 9780590472807
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 9.1" x 11.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Enchanting!

There are many versions of this story in print (it is a classic Yiddish story) but Gilman's version is far and away the best. Joseph, a wonderfully drawn character, receives a beautiful blanket from his grandfather. As he ages, the blanket is transformed into a jacket, a vest, a scarf etc. The prose is very well-done and very lively with lots of repetition which will please children and their parents. The illustrations, however, really make this book. They are fantastic! The world of the shtetl really comes to life in these detailed drawings (in fact, living in a shtetl actually looks pretty good which is an amazing accomplishment!). I have given this book to friends and family---both Jewish and non-Jewish and everyone has loved it. Buy it, find a blanket and curl up with a child to read this one!

A wonderful read-aloud

This book was an absolute hit with an audience of Spanish-speaking children! It is a retelling of the Jewish folktale that has become familiar through the Caldecott award winner, "Joseph Had A Little Overcoat." The illustrations provide an intimate dollhouse view inside Joseph's home, including a parallel story that goes on under the house among a family of mice who become the resourceful recipients of the scraps of fabric that fall through the cracks in the floor. The text is repetitive and invite choral participation on the part of the listeners. Joseph's undying confidence in his grandfather's ability to salvage his beloved blanket-turned-jacked-turned-vest, etc. holds out until at last he loses the last prized button. Nevertheless, Joseph seems to have inherited some of Grandfather's abilities to create something from almost nothing.

Wonderfully repetetive book

I used this book in a daycare class of two and three year-olds. It's great!! The repetition gets children involved actively with the story and the artistry keeps children busy looking for all sorts of details. Wonderful book for children of all ages.

Heartwarming

Not only is this a wonderful story, but it is culturally expanding. My daughter loves to read along with me -- a great way to end the day.

Your children will want to hear this book over and over...

And you'll enjoy reading it to them every time! When Joseph's favorite blanket wears out, Grandpa, a tailor, saves the day by fashioning it into a smaller item. Over the years Grandpa makes Joseph's blanket into ever smaller items until finally, well, you can't make something from nothing! Or can you? Written to be read aloud, Something From Nothing will have your children chiming in as Grandpa's scissors go "snip, snip, snip" and his needle goes "in and out and in and out." A delighful second storyline is carried on in the illustrations, with a mouse family putting the scraps from Joseph's blanket to good use. This richly illustrated book is a treat both you and your children (ages 2 to 9) will enjoy.