THE MAGIC POMEGRANATE
A Jewish Folktale
by Peninnah Schram & illustrated by Melanie Hall
One of the latest offerings in the On My Own Folklore series for newly independent readers is a Jewish folktale with a traditional structure that features three brothers on a quest to explore the world for ten years, with the challenge of bringing back the most unusual gift. The eldest acquires a crystal ball, the second brother finds a magic carpet and the youngest discovers a pomegranate with special power. Together they use their gifts to help a princess recover from illness, and the youngest wins her hand in marriage. Hall’s imaginative illustrations in jewel tones add to the fairy-tale qualities of the story, and an author’s note, glossary and suggested reading extend the use of the volume. Additional new entries in the series are Anansi and the Box of Stories: A West African Folktale by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Jeni Reeves (978-0-8225-6745-5); The Dragon Emperor: A Chinese Folktale by Wang Ping, illustrations by Tang Ge (978-0-8225-6744-8); and The Tale of La Llorona: A Mexican Folktale by Linda Lowery and Richard Keep, illustrated by Janice Lee Porter (978-0-8225-6743-1). (Early reader/folktale. 6-9)