Dorothy Van Woerkom

This is one of those stories written for children that's also suitable for adults. This adult liked it, anyway.

As strange a title as 'Pearl in the Egg' might be, this was a real woman's name in the second half of the thirteenth century. She was one of few female minstrels whose name the author discovered in some documentation, alongside another female minstrel called Matill Makejoy. Other than this one document mentioning where they once performed, nothing else is known about them.

Therefore, the story is of the author's invention. It opens with Pearl and her brother Gavin worrying about the dying father, who passes on early in the book. This is the only strong criticism I have: the children (Pearl's 11; Gavin a year or two older) show no emotion at losing their father.

The siblings need to leave the village because the law means the lord of the manor has the right to take their home and possessions because the children aren't of age to take it over. Escape into the unknown is their best option, but this means breaking the law.

Along the way, they meet Matill and other travelling performers. Pearl learns she's a natural singer and harpist. Wherever they go, however, Pearl is looking over her shoulder, as the law is if they avoid capture by their lord's men for a year and a day they are declared free. One of the lord's bowman in particular gives Pearl reason for concern.

The narrative covers about a year, starting in 1269. Along the way, we see how Pearl earns her unusual nickname. Must state that I'm not impressed with the author's idea of how Pearl gets her name. Could be she did earn it this way, but I would've preferred something more inventive.

Overall, this is a pleasant read with some action and brushes with danger. The author does a great job in creating a thirteenth-century setting.… (más)

Following upon her initial collection of Abu Ali stories for beginning readers, Abu Ali: Three Tales of the Middle East, Dorothy O. Van Woerkom returns to the hilarious (mis)adventures of this would-be trickster in The Friends of Abu Ali. Here, in The Bag of Rice, our hero resolves a dispute about an imaginary bridge and some imaginary donkeys, by throwing away his (real-life) food! In Cake for Sale, Abu Ali and his friend Hamid argue about whether or not the act of smelling caused a cake to fall in, while being baked. And finally, in The Donkey's Shadow, an argument about the ability to buy (or sell) a donkey's shadow develops between Abu Ali and his friend Nouri.

Although full of arguments, and attempts at trickery, the tales of Abu Ali and his friends are essentially good-hearted, with misunderstandings beings worked out to everyone's satisfaction at the end. Young folklore lovers will enjoy this collection, which will win more than one giggle. The accompanying illustrations, by Harold Berson, are done in both color and black and white, and add to the sense of fun.… (más)