Honey on the Page

Winner, 2021 Reference & Bibliography Award in the 'Reference' Section, given by the Association of Jewish LibrariesAn unprecedented treasury of Yiddish children’s stories and poems enhanced with original illustrationsWhile there has been a recent boom in Jewish literacy and learning within the US, few resources exist to enable American Jews to experience the rich primary sources of Yiddish culture. Stepping into this void, Miriam Udel has crafted an exquisite collection: Honey on the Page offers a feast of beguiling original translations of stories and poems for children. Arranged thematically—from school days to the holidays—the book takes readers from Jewish holidays and history to folktales and fables, from stories of humanistic ethics to multi-generational family sagas. Featuring many works that are appearing in English for the first time, and written by both prominent and lesser-known authors, this anthology spans the Yiddish-speaking globe—drawing from materials published in Eastern Europe, New York, and Latin America from the 1910s, during the interwar period, and up through the 1970s. With its vast scope, Honey on the Page offers a cornucopia of delights to families, individuals and educators seeking literature that speaks to Jewish children about their religious, cultural, and ethical heritage.Complemented by whimsical, humorous illustrations by Paula Cohen, an acclaimed children’s book illustrator, Udel’s evocative translations of Yiddish stories and poetry will delight young and older readers alike.

An extensive collection of Yiddish literary texts for children translated into English, this anthology contains works from familiar as well as not so widely known Yiddish language writers... [A] comprehensive and valuable set of stories and poetry., These twentieth-century pieces...range from magical holiday stories to wonder-filled ballads to silly tales featuring the fools of Chelm. A perfect resource for families or religious school read-alouds., Miriam Udel’s essential, rich collection of Yiddish tales revives the appealing stories that early twentieth century Jewish children were told as introductions to their history and tradition., Honey on the Page is an expertly translated, whimsically illustrated selection of lesser-known Yiddish stories and poems for children. Like the best anthologies, it is an eye-opening work of literary history, gleefully introducing a sea of lightly known authors through both their work and meticulously crafted biographical sketches., A welcome and important addition to any home or school library...wonderfully translated and impeccably edited anthology of almost 50 Yiddish tales.

Miriam Udel (Edited and Translated by) Miriam Udel is Associate Professor in German Studies and the Tam Institute of Jewish Studies at Emory University and author of Never Better!: The Modern Jewish Picaresque.Jack Zipes (Foreword by) Jack Zipes is a preeminent fairy-tale scholar who has written, translated, and edited dozens of books including The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm and Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde. He is Professor Emeritus of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Minnesota.