Aaron Shepard

WINNER OF THE 2024 AESOP PRIZE FROM THE AMERICAN FOLKLORE SOCIETY You'd better believe Slappy Hooper was the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter. He was bestest because no one else ever made pictures so true to life. But some folks said they were too good when the pictures started coming alive Will Slappy have to give up sign painting for good? Or will a couple of timely jobs from the Heavenly Sign Company let him climb to even greater heights? Find out in this delightful tall tale from mid-20th-century Chicago. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. //////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Once a professional storyteller, he specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature. Toni Goffe is the illustrator and sometimes author of many well-loved children's books, including Aaron's "The Legend of Lightning Larry" and Toni's own "Joe Giant's Missing Boot," used in the UK national reading curriculum. He is the winner of the 1993 Gold Medallion Book Award. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Goffe's freewheeling cartoons perfectly complement this well-told, amiably satirical tale." -- Kirkus Reviews, Sept. 1, 1993 "Good-humored . . . Lots of possibilities for story hour." -- Booklist, Nov. 1, 1993 "A cheerful, upbeat, all-American legend. Have fun with it." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Fall 1993 "Delightful . . . A] welcome addition to the list of American tall tales." -- The Story Bag, Special Review Issue //////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE You've heard about Paul Bunyan, the greatest lumberjack of all time. And you've heard about Pecos Bill, the greatest cowboy. Now let me tell you about Slappy Hooper, the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter. You'd better believe Slappy was biggest Why, he was seven feet tall with shoulders to match, and he weighed three hundred pounds, even without his cap and coverall and brush and bucket. And fastest? Just give him an eight-inch brush. Slip slop slap The job was done -- and so smooth, you'd never see a brush stroke. And you bet Slappy was bestest That was on account of his pictures. No one else ever made them so true to life. In fact, some folks said they were too true to life. Slappy's trouble started with the huge red rose he painted on the sign for Rose's Florist Shop. "Slappy, it's so real " said Miss Rose Red, the owner. "Why, I can just about smell the fragrance " But a week later, Rose Red fluttered into Slappy's sign shop. "Slappy, that sign of yours was too good. The bees got wind of it and swarmed all over that rose, trying to get in. They scared away all my customers That was bad enough, but wait till you see what's happened now " When they reached the florist shop, Slappy saw that the bees were gone. But the rose had withered and died. "No one buys from a florist with a withered flower on her sign," said Rose Red. "That's the last thing you'll paint for me, Slappy Hooper "

Sadko the musician loved his city of Novgorod, the richest and most free in all Russia. With its great feasts, its white stone churches, its merchant visitors from many lands, Sadko felt there was no better place to be. Yet he was lonely too, for the rich young ladies who danced to his music would never favor anyone so poor. One night he takes his twelve-string gusli and goes alone to play by the River Volkhov. Suddenly from the water rises the Sea King, who invites the astonished musician to play at his underwater palace. But how will Sadko get there? And how will he get back? And will he want to return at all, when he meets the Sea King's lovely daughter? One of the most popular legends of Russia, Sadko's story is found in medieval epic ballads, as well as in a popular opera by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is retold here in elegant prose, complemented by the entrancing illustrations of a modern Russian master. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE" OR ON AARON'S WEB SITE. //////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Gennady Spirin, with a style he describes as "fairy-tale realism," is one of the world's most esteemed children's illustrators. His honors include five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators, the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial, First Prize at the Bologna and Barcelona international book fairs, and four appearances on the New York Times list of Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Born and trained in Russia before moving to the United States, Gennady already knew well the legend of Sadko and welcomed the chance to contribute his sumptuous art to this retelling. //////////////////////////////////////////////// HONORS 1997 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year 1998 American Library Association Notable Children's Books 1998 NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 1997 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society 1998 Honor Title, Storytelling World Awards 1997 Cincinnati Enquirer Best Illustrated Children's Books American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Starred review, Publishers Weekly Featured on "CBS This Morning" //////////////////////////////////////////////// "Emotionally authentic prose and jewel-like illustrations make this an exquisite volume. . . . A] mood of eloquent enchantment." -- Publishers Weekly, Aug. 25, 1997, starred review "Exquisite." -- The New York Times Book Review, Oct. 26, 1997 "Knock-your-socks-off beautiful. . . . Will stay in a family's library forever." -- Valerie Lewis, "CBS This Morning," Dec. 11, 1997 "Retains the flavor of Old Russia. . . . A fascinating spin on mermaid/human interaction." -- Denise Anton Wright, School Library Journal, Dec. 1997 "The telling is descriptive yet very accessible. . . . The pictures are gorgeous and resplendent with extraordinary details." -- Stephanie Zvirin, American Library Association Booklist, Nov. 15, 1997

Featured in Kate Middleton's 2021 television special at Westminster Abbey, "Royal Carols: Together at Christmas" One night of peace in a world of war. "Christmas Day, 1914 . . . My dear sister Janet . . . It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts -- yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn't been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France " The Christmas Truce of 1914 is one of the most extraordinary incidents not only of World War I but of all history. Providing inspiration for songs, books, plays, and movies, it has endured as an archetypal image of peace. Yet much about the historic event remains shrouded in myth and legend. In this fictional letter -- illustrated in authentic detail by Wendy Edelson -- award-winning author Aaron Shepard draws from firsthand accounts of soldiers at the front to portray the truce in its true nature and spirit. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Wendy Edelson has been honored with the Pacific Northwest Book Award, the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and the Mom's Choice Award. Her other illustrated books include Aaron's "The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale." ////////////////////////////////////////// "Among the many entries celebrating this event's centennial, librarians and teachers should welcome this historically accurate telling for ages 9 and up." -- Kirkus Reviews (Web site), Aug. 11, 2014 "Beautifully and realistically illustrated." -- Alex Baugh, The Children's War (blog) "Short but intense, heart-warming, full of hope, love, brotherhood, and friendship." -- Veronica Marzini, LibriAmoriMiei (blog), Nov. 8, 2014 "A beautiful (and true) tale, with lovely illustrations . . . Great for a readaloud to children " -- Beth Nolan Conners, Beth's Book-Nook Blog (blog), Nov. 12, 2014 "Delightful . . . A really beautiful rendition of those fantastic events when, in the midst of war, the spirit of Christmas overruled the fighting and peace reigned on the battlefields." -- Elaine Brent, Splashes Into Books (blog), Dec. 7, 2014 "Lovely . . . It evokes the time and place with vivid description and will certainly spark talk of why there is war . . . The artwork is stunning." -- Lynne Vanderveen Smith, children's librarian "Great to use with readers of various ages, especially in a social studies or American history curriculum." -- Karen Biggs-Tucker, co-author, "Transforming Literacy Teaching for the Era of Higher Standards" "I would recommend this for any school library . . . Includes facts about life in the trenches of World War I -- but without making it too frightening for young readers. Descriptions add realism to the scenes. Other things might surprise students and cause them to rethink their assumptions that all Germans were 'bad guys' . . . An excellent addition to a unit on WWI. It could start a class discussion or even be used as a model text for students who are writing up their own narratives based on research into the war." -- Suzanne Costner, school librarian "What a wonderful way to show children that, even though there are differences between people, there are also similarities that can tie us together, even in a war zone." -- Kim Napier, teacher

Why not give more? Van Amsterdam the baker was well known for his honesty as well as for his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. He always gave his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less. So, he was not about to give in when a mysterious old woman comes to him on Saint Nicholas Day and insists that a dozen is thirteen The woman's curse puts an end to the baker's business, and he believes it would take Saint Nicholas to help him. But if he receives that help, will it be exactly what he imagined? Find out in this inspiring legend from Dutch colonial New York about the birth of an honored American custom. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. //////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Once a professional storyteller, he specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature. Wendy Edelson has been honored with the Pacific Northwest Book Award, the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and the Mom's Choice Award. Besides illustrating numerous picture books, she has provided art for Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. //////////////////////////////////////////////// HONORS American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Trumpet Book Club selection Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children "The good will of legendary Saint Nick resonates in this tale about the origin of the term 'baker's dozen.' . . . Shepard's easy-to-follow retelling has an appropriate Old World flavor." -- Publishers Weekly, Sept. 18, 1995 "A particularly nice holiday story accented by paintings full of detail. . . . Well-paced and a good length for groups or individuals, this is right on target for audiences. Edelson's artwork is filled with marvelously alive characters who almost step from the pages." -- Ilene Cooper, Booklist, Sept. 15, 1995 "A lush new version of a traditional tale. . . . Well-chosen words and a nicely paced text that begs to be told aloud. A treat for the holiday season." -- School Library Journal, Oct. 1995 "Aaron Shepard retells a favorite colonial legend with the voice of the storyteller." -- Jan Lieberman, TNT, Fall 1995 "A fine tale of generosity for St. Nicholas Day or any day." -- Marilyn McPhie, Storybag, Special Review Issue 1997 "A story with a message to be heard during the holidays and all year long." -- Children's Book Review

As the daughter of a great mandarin, Mi Nuong leads a sheltered life. But one day, sitting in her tower, a song floats to her from a distant fishing boat on the river. "My love is like a blossom in the breeze. My love is like a moonbeam on the waves." The voice is so beautiful, she knows the singer must be young and handsome -- perhaps even a mandarin's son in disguise. Could it be that the song is for her? She longs to meet him, but how? And what will she find if she does? In this poignant legend, a young lady discovers that appearances can deceive, but the heart speaks true. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Once a professional storyteller, he specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature. Joseph Daniel Fiedler, besides illustrating several picture books, has had work appear in numerous national and international publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. He has received many awards, including a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators, and his paintings have been shown in over 75 gallery and museum exhibitions in four countries. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// 1999 Best Children's Books, Bank Street College of Education 1999-2000 Recommended Reading List, Kansas Reading Circle "Haunting tale of unrequited love.... Shepard paces his polished storytelling to accommodate atmospheric details. Despite the Vietnamese setting, this sophisticated story has much in common with Hans Christian Andersen's sorrowful romances, and its words and images will likely linger with readers." -- Publishers Weekly, July 6, 1998 "A keen tale of false expectations and confused priorities.... For his first picture book, Fiedler produces exquisite artwork; the landscapes are magically transporting, while the lustrous colors radiate an antique, spiritual quality." -- Kirkus Reviews "Shepard's retelling captures all the romantic feeling in an economical use of text without forfeiting any of the haunting mood. This could provide a lovely segue into thoughtful discussion on expectations, disappointment, and reparation." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July-Aug. 1998 "Shepard's simple yet elegant prose meshes well with Fiedler's dramatic artwork. A good choice for storytellers, this romantic tale will be popular with a wide range of audiences." -- Kay Weisman, American Library Association Booklist, Oct. 1, 1998 "Beautifully retold and illustrated." -- Children's Book Committee, Bank Street College of Education, Best Children's Books for the Year, 1999

Gentlemen might be in short supply today, but this little book of wisdom could be a cure. If you're a young man who cares about the quality of his mark on the world -- or if you know such a young man -- the aphorisms of "The Gentleman's Handbook" may prove a helpful guide. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is an author, photographer, publisher, and aspiring gentleman. He lives with his wife and fellow author, Anne L. Watson, in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS A Gentleman in Love A Gentleman in Speech A Gentleman in Society A Gentleman in Life ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLES A gentleman always finds a compliment for a lady he loves. A gentleman never compares one lady to another. A gentleman understands that every lady is a flower, and that love will make her bloom. ---------------------------- A gentleman listens carefully to others and takes pains to remember what he hears. A gentleman never smirks. A gentleman knows that words should be weighed, not counted. ---------------------------- A gentleman understands that the value of any person goes far beyond their usefulness to him. A gentleman does not leave messes for others to clean up. A gentleman knows he cannot help others if he does not stand on firm ground himself. ---------------------------- A gentleman knows that what he does is less important than how he does it. A gentleman does not avoid what should be resolved. A gentleman knows that his worth is measured not by what he collects but by what he contributes.