Magic Storysinger

by M.E.A. McNeil

Book Overview

The Magic Storysinger is an adaptation of the Finnish epic tale Kalevala, retold and illustrated by M.E.A. McNeil. The marvelous, fast and furious adventures of the great mythic hero Vaino... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880451289
• ISBN13: 9780880451284
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Stemmer House Publishers
• Length: 111 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 3 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

A wonderful read-aloud tale of adventure for all ages

The Magic Storysinger is a riveting introduction to the high adventure and drama of the Finnish epic tale known as the Kalevala. We read it aloud to our children when they were very young and have re-read it many times since. Mea McNeil's luminous paintings and vivid writing are like a fresh breeze blowing through the old stories of the Finnish folk heroes. It has also become a great source for our kids when doing "roots" projects at school, just as it was a source and inspiration for me in writing a documentary film ("Quick Brown Fox," distributed by Women Make Movies)about my Finnish-American mother and her struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Buy this book!

Flavorful

As a storyteller, I was most impressed. Lots of translations are out there - some too scholarly to want to wade through, and some too dumbed down. McNeil's version is apleasure. It keeps the flavor and tone of the epic and its poetry in a very tellable style.

A difficult myth, now accesible for young readers

This rendition of the Finnish epic won the Aesop Accolade Prize from the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Soiciety. I am in awe of the clear and authentic storyline relayed in this publication, knowing the complex nature of the original narration.