# the beauty of Wolfe's writing *The Urth list — 18 messages, 9 voices, 21 Mar 2010* > Exported from an unofficial mirror of a public mailing list. Copyright > in each message remains with the person who wrote it. > Email addresses are obscured as `user at host`, the form the original > archive published. This file was rebuilt from parsed fields rather than > retained headers, so it is faithful in content but not byte-exact. --- ### Stuart Hamm *21 Mar 2010, 00:00* Meant to reply to Bene's post.. The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd made it through the 12 books! ?"Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna restart the Sun series... ???????? ? ? ?Mobile — (415) 786-3624 STUHAMM.COM FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM myspace.com/stuhamm Skype? stuart.hamm ? ?? --- ### aaron *21 Mar 2010, 02:09 · in reply to Stuart Hamm* I am really enjoying "Sorcerer's House" so far. And by the way Stu, I am a longtime fan of your bass playing. My favorite has to be off the Satriani album "Flying In a Blue Dream". A song I cannot recall the exact title to, but something like "Back to Shella-Bal"... Sound familiar? > On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 8:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > Meant to reply to Bene's post.. > The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" almost > made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd made > it through the 12 books! > "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did > nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna > restart the Sun series... > > > > Mobile (415) 786-3624 > *STUHAMM.COM* > FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM > myspace.com/stuhamm > Skype stuart.hamm > > > _______________________________________________ --- ### John Watkins *21 Mar 2010, 02:31 · in reply to aaron* I expect (without any knowledge of it) that the title it "Back to Shalla-Bal," and a reference to the Silver Surfer. > On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 10:09 PM, aaron wrote: > I am really enjoying "Sorcerer's House" so far. And by the way Stu, I am a > longtime fan of your bass playing. My favorite has to be off the Satriani > album "Flying In a Blue Dream". A song I cannot recall the exact title to, > but something like "Back to Shella-Bal"... Sound familiar? > > On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 8:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: >> Meant to reply to Bene's post.. >> The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" >> almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd >> made it through the 12 books! >> "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did >> nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna >> restart the Sun series... >> >> >> >> Mobile (415) 786-3624 >> *STUHAMM.COM * >> FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM >> myspace.com/stuhamm >> Skype stuart.hamm >> >> >> _______________________________________________ --- ### Stuart Hamm *21 Mar 2010, 03:12 · in reply to John Watkins* yes, Shala Bal was Norrin Radd (the Silver Surfer's ) wife....am working on a bass choir version of a Ladysmith Black Mombazo song called "Back to Shabalalla".....joseph Shabalalla is/was the lead singer of the South African band.... ???????? ? ? ?Mobile — (415) 786-3624 STUHAMM.COM FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM myspace.com/stuhamm Skype? stuart.hamm ? ?? --- On Sat, 3/20/10, John Watkins wrote: From: John Watkins Subject: Re: (urth) the beauty of Wolfe's writing To: "The Urth Mailing List" Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 7:31 PM I expect (without any knowledge of it) that the title it "Back to Shalla-Bal," and a reference to the Silver Surfer. On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 10:09 PM, aaron wrote: I am really enjoying "Sorcerer's House" so far. And by the way Stu, I am a longtime fan of your bass playing. My favorite has to be off the Satriani album "Flying In a Blue Dream". A song I cannot recall the exact title to, but something like "Back to Shella-Bal"...? Sound familiar? On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 8:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: Meant to reply to Bene's post.. The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd made it through the 12 books! ?"Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna restart the Sun series... ???????? ? ? Mobile — (415) 786-3624 STUHAMM.COM FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM myspace.com/stuhamm Skype? stuart.hamm ? ?? ``` Aaron Singleton Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net -----Inline Attachment Follows----- ``` --- ### Son of Witz *22 Mar 2010, 14:25 · in reply to Stuart Hamm* Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just picked up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in there. I'm simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read them to my son, and yet interesting enough for me to bother with. I'm not getting much out of reading him Harry Potter. :P He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep track of plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King Arthur. super cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are awesome) ~witz > On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > Meant to reply to Bene's post.. > The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" > almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy > that I'd made it through the 12 books! > "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which > really did nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at > times...gonna restart the Sun series... > > > > Mobile (415) 786-3624 > STUHAMM.COM > FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM > myspace.com/stuhamm > Skype stuart.hamm > > _______________________________________________ --- ### John Watkins *22 Mar 2010, 14:30 · in reply to Son of Witz* Do you have D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths? > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Son of Witz wrote: > Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. > > I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just picked > up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in there. I'm > simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read them to my son, and > yet interesting enough for me to bother with. I'm not getting much out of > reading him Harry Potter. :P > He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep track of > plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King Arthur. super > cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are awesome) > > ~witz > > > > > On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > > Meant to reply to Bene's post.. >> The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" >> almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd >> made it through the 12 books! >> "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did >> nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna >> restart the Sun series... >> >> >> >> Mobile (415) 786-3624 >> STUHAMM.COM >> FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM >> myspace.com/stuhamm >> Skype stuart.hamm >> >> _______________________________________________ --- ### Son of Witz *22 Mar 2010, 15:21 · in reply to John Watkins* no. but I'm looking for a good one. would you recommend it? > On Mar 22, 2010, at 7:30 AM, John Watkins wrote: > Do you have D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths? > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Son of Witz wrote: > Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. > > I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just > picked up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in > there. I'm simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read > them to my son, and yet interesting enough for me to bother with. > I'm not getting much out of reading him Harry Potter. :P > He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep > track of plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King > Arthur. super cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are > awesome) > > ~witz > > > > > On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > > Meant to reply to Bene's post.. > The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" > almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy > that I'd made it through the 12 books! > "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which > really did nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at > times...gonna restart the Sun series... > > > > Mobile (415) 786-3624 > STUHAMM.COM > FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM > myspace.com/stuhamm > Skype stuart.hamm > > _______________________________________________ --- ### John Watkins *22 Mar 2010, 15:25 · in reply to Son of Witz* Yes, very highly. Perfect for kids. > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 11:21 AM, Son of Witz wrote: > no. but I'm looking for a good one. would you recommend it? > > > On Mar 22, 2010, at 7:30 AM, John Watkins wrote: > > Do you have D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths? > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Son of Witz > wrote: >> Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. >> >> I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just picked >> up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in there. I'm >> simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read them to my son, and >> yet interesting enough for me to bother with. I'm not getting much out of >> reading him Harry Potter. :P >> He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep track >> of plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King Arthur. super >> cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are awesome) >> >> ~witz >> >> >> >> >> On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: >> >> Meant to reply to Bene's post.. >> The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" >> almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd >> made it through the 12 books! >> "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did >> nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna >> restart the Sun series... >> >> >> >> Mobile (415) 786-3624 >> STUHAMM.COM >> FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM >> myspace.com/stuhamm >> Skype stuart.hamm >> >> _______________________________________________ --- ### Allan Anderson *22 Mar 2010, 15:43 · in reply to John Watkins* I remember that one fondly, but even more so--D'Aulaire's "Norse Gods and Giants"...or I think it's been re-titled "Book of Norse Myths" Andrew Lang's color fairy books are good stuff; I read many of them as a kid myself. Consider Michael Berenstain's "The Troll Book" as well. > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 8:25 AM, John Watkins wrote: > Yes, very highly. Perfect for kids. > > > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 11:21 AM, Son of Witz wrote: >> no. but I'm looking for a good one. would you recommend it? >> >> >> On Mar 22, 2010, at 7:30 AM, John Watkins wrote: >> >> Do you have D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths? >> On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Son of Witz >> wrote: >>> Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. >>> >>> I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just >>> picked up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in there. >>> I'm simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read them to my son, >>> and yet interesting enough for me to bother with. I'm not getting much out >>> of reading him Harry Potter. :P >>> He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep track >>> of plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King Arthur. super >>> cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are awesome) >>> >>> ~witz >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: >>> >>> Meant to reply to Bene's post.. >>> The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" >>> almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy that I'd >>> made it through the 12 books! >>> "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really did >>> nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna >>> restart the Sun series... >>> >>> >>> >>> Mobile (415) 786-3624 >>> STUHAMM.COM >>> FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM >>> myspace.com/stuhamm >>> Skype stuart.hamm >>> >>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Son of Witz *22 Mar 2010, 21:12 · in reply to Allan Anderson* Thanks John & Allan. The D'Aulaires look great. I'll be picking those up for sure. We watched the Jim Henson Storyteller: Greek Myths recently and my son loved them. I thought they might leave him cold. A few weeks later he recounted the story of Icarus to me and said "he shoulda listened to his father" all seriously. :D These D'Aulaire books look great. There is a Troll one as well. Thanks for the recommendations. ~witz > On Mon, March 22, 2010 11:43 am, Allan Anderson wrote: > I remember that one fondly, but even more so--D'Aulaire's "Norse Gods and > Giants"...or I think it's been re-titled "Book of Norse Myths" > > Andrew Lang's color fairy books are good stuff; I read many of them as a > kid > myself. > > Consider Michael Berenstain's "The Troll Book" as well. > > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 8:25 AM, John Watkins > wrote: >> Yes, very highly. Perfect for kids. >> >> >> On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 11:21 AM, Son of Witz >> wrote: >>> no. but I'm looking for a good one. would you recommend it? >>> >>> >>> On Mar 22, 2010, at 7:30 AM, John Watkins wrote: >>> >>> Do you have D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths? >>> On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Son of Witz >>> >>> wrote: >>>> Stu, I think I'm going to start the Long and Short again very soon. >>>> >>>> I'm sure some of y'all have read those Coloured Fairy Books. I just >>>> picked up a few (Red, Brown and Green). Some great looking stuff in >>>> there. >>>> I'm simultaneously hoping they're "for kids" enough to read them to my >>>> son, >>>> and yet interesting enough for me to bother with. I'm not getting much >>>> out >>>> of reading him Harry Potter. :P >>>> He's just learning to read, but he can listen attentively and keep >>>> track >>>> of plots really well. We've been reading a bit of Pyles King Arthur. >>>> super >>>> cool. (the illustrations in all of these book are awesome) >>>> >>>> ~witz >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mar 20, 2010, at 5:00 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: >>>> >>>> Meant to reply to Bene's post.. >>>> The Latrp books never resonated as deeply with me, but "Silk Nodded" >>>> almost made me cry I'm afraid to say..maybe because i was sad/happy >>>> that I'd >>>> made it through the 12 books! >>>> "Sorcerers..." is an OK read, liking it better then AEG which really >>>> did >>>> nothing for me and the puzzlebox aspect is offputting at times...gonna >>>> restart the Sun series... >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Mobile (415) 786-3624 >>>> STUHAMM.COM >>>> FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM >>>> myspace.com/stuhamm >>>> Skype stuart.hamm >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ --- ### James Wynn *22 Mar 2010, 23:48 · in reply to Son of Witz* > Thanks John & Allan. > The D'Aulaires look great. I'll be picking those up for sure. > We watched the Jim Henson Storyteller: Greek Myths recently and my son > loved them. I thought they might leave him cold. A few weeks later he > recounted the story of Icarus to me and said "he shoulda listened to his > father" all seriously. :D I miss being able to read to my kids. Fortunately I still have one daughter who is willing to read to ME on long drives. Let's see (for what it's worth)... Check out the Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends by Anne Terry White. It includes Greek myths but also Persian, Nordic, and British stories. The illustrations are amazing IMO. http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Treasury-Legends-Adapted-Classics/dp/B000P4HH9S%3FSubscriptionId%3D15HRV3AZSMPK0GXTY102%26tag%3Die8suggestion-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000P4HH9S You shouldn't miss the opportunity to read all the Winnie the Pooh stories to your kids. It's extremely enjoyable for adults but there is an age when a kid won't tolerate it. The Wizard of Oz stories are obvious choices. You get 14 volumes IIRC by Baum, but then after him there's Ruth Plumly Thompson's stories (whom Wolfe has identified as an influence). David Hartwell (Gene Wolfe's editor) produced the twin volumes "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder" and "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment". They collect fantasy stories from the 19th century to modern times that are all just a little bit skewed from all the fantasy that is squarely in Tolkien's shadow. The collection includes Wolfe's "The Detective of Dreams" for instance. But each volume also has a story by Frank Stockton. "The Bee Man of Orn" is a story Wolfe would write if he could write stories for children. Also fantasy stories by Baum, Horace Wapole, George McDonald, Lafferty, and Philip K. Dick. If your son enjoyed Pyle's King Arthur then he would probably be able to appreciate Kenneth Morris' "The Book of Three Dragons", a free retelling of the labors of Manawyddan. The scene where Manawyddan confronts the literary critics is perfect. There's the Gormenghast trilogy. Some kids (and adults) *really* like it and some don't at all. The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales has almost a year's worth of nightly readings. The Windermere Series "The Arabian Knights Entertainments" is perfect for reading to kids. It includes the stories kids are most likely to be familiar with (unlike Richard Burton's translation which are almost unreadable and certainly unreadable to children). But perhaps a better choice is a large volume called "The Enchanted World: The Greatest Folk and Fairy Tales" which combines stories from the Grimms, Arabian Nights, Lang, Charles Perault, William Griffs, and others. Speaking of which, don't roll you're eyes but the 20 volume Time Life Enchanted World series is absolutely *packed* with readable stories from all over the world. Some of them are really creepy, which is appealing to boys. And the illustrations are phenomenal. You can often pick the volumes up at used bookstores for as little as $2. Also, the graphic novels by Jim Fitzgerald on the myths of Ireland. I tried hard to convince my wife we needed more kids, and the opportunity to read to them and teach them to read was probably my impetus. J. --- ### Stuart Hamm *23 Mar 2010, 00:49 · in reply to James Wynn* My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! ???????? ? ? ?Mobile — (415) 786-3624 STUHAMM.COM FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM myspace.com/stuhamm Skype? stuart.hamm ? ?? --- On Mon, 3/22/10, James Wynn wrote: > From: James Wynn > Subject: Re: (urth) D'Aulaires books > To: "The Urth Mailing List" > Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 4:48 PM > Thanks John & Allan. > The D'Aulaires look great. I'll be picking those up for sure. > We watched the Jim Henson Storyteller: Greek Myths recently and my son > loved them. I thought they might leave him cold. A few weeks later he > recounted the story of Icarus to me and said "he shoulda listened to his > father" all seriously. :D I miss being able to read to my kids. Fortunately I still have one daughter who is willing to read to ME on long drives. Let's see (for what it's worth)... Check out the Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends by Anne Terry White. It includes Greek myths but also Persian, Nordic, and British stories. The illustrations are amazing IMO. http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Treasury-Legends-Adapted-Classics/dp/B000P4HH9S%3FSubscriptionId%3D15HRV3AZSMPK0GXTY102%26tag%3Die8suggestion-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000P4HH9S You shouldn't miss the opportunity to read all the Winnie the Pooh stories to your kids. It's extremely enjoyable for adults but there is an age when a kid won't tolerate it. The Wizard of Oz stories are obvious choices. You get 14 volumes IIRC by Baum, but then after him there's Ruth Plumly Thompson's stories (whom Wolfe has identified as an influence). David Hartwell (Gene Wolfe's editor) produced the twin volumes "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder" and "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment". They collect fantasy stories from the 19th century to modern times that are all just a little bit skewed from all the fantasy that is squarely in Tolkien's shadow. The collection includes Wolfe's "The Detective of Dreams" for instance. But each volume also has a story by Frank Stockton. "The Bee Man of Orn" is a story Wolfe would write if he could write stories for children. Also fantasy stories by Baum, Horace Wapole, George McDonald, Lafferty, and Philip K. Dick. If your son enjoyed Pyle's King Arthur then he would probably be able to appreciate Kenneth Morris' "The Book of Three Dragons", a free retelling of the labors of Manawyddan. The scene where Manawyddan confronts the literary critics is perfect. There's the Gormenghast trilogy. Some kids (and adults) *really* like it and some don't at all. The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales has almost a year's worth of nightly readings. The Windermere Series "The Arabian Knights Entertainments" is perfect for reading to kids. It includes the stories kids are most likely to be familiar with (unlike Richard Burton's translation which are almost unreadable and certainly unreadable to children). But perhaps a better choice is a large volume called "The Enchanted World: The Greatest Folk and Fairy Tales" which combines stories from the Grimms, Arabian Nights, Lang, Charles Perault, William Griffs, and others. Speaking of which, don't roll you're eyes but the 20 volume Time Life Enchanted World series is absolutely *packed* with readable stories from all over the world. Some of them are really creepy, which is appealing to boys. And the illustrations are phenomenal. You can often pick the volumes up at used bookstores for as little as $2. Also, the graphic novels by Jim Fitzgerald on the myths of Ireland. I tried hard to convince my wife we needed more kids, and the opportunity to read to them and teach them to read was probably my impetus. J. --- ### Son of Witz *23 Mar 2010, 02:11 · in reply to James Wynn* Thanks James. I'm saving this post, such great stuff. That must be cool to have your daughter reading to you on drives. I remember those Time Life books a bit, and my wife is incredibly fond of them. > On Mar 22, 2010, at 5:49 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom > Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! I guess it doesn't take long. glad my sons are spread out in age. I can enjoy this for some time yet. ~witz >> On Mar 22, 2010, at 4:48 PM, James Wynn wrote: >> Thanks John & Allan. >> The D'Aulaires look great. I'll be picking those up for sure. >> We watched the Jim Henson Storyteller: Greek Myths recently and my >> son >> loved them. I thought they might leave him cold. A few weeks later he >> recounted the story of Icarus to me and said "he shoulda listened >> to his >> father" all seriously. :D > I miss being able to read to my kids. Fortunately I still have one > daughter who is willing to read to ME on long drives. > > Let's see (for what it's worth)... > > Check out the Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends by Anne Terry > White. It includes Greek myths but also Persian, Nordic, and British > stories. The illustrations are amazing IMO. > http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Treasury-Legends-Adapted-Classics/dp/B000P4HH9S%3FSubscriptionId%3D15HRV3AZSMPK0GXTY102%26tag%3Die8suggestion-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000P4HH9S > > You shouldn't miss the opportunity to read all the Winnie the Pooh > stories to your kids. It's extremely enjoyable for adults but there > is an age when a kid won't tolerate it. > > The Wizard of Oz stories are obvious choices. You get 14 volumes > IIRC by Baum, but then after him there's Ruth Plumly Thompson's > stories (whom Wolfe has identified as an influence). > > David Hartwell (Gene Wolfe's editor) produced the twin volumes > "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder" and "Masterpieces of Fantasy > and Enchantment". They collect fantasy stories from the 19th century > to modern times that are all just a little bit skewed from all the > fantasy that is squarely in Tolkien's shadow. The collection > includes Wolfe's "The Detective of Dreams" for instance. But each > volume also has a story by Frank Stockton. "The Bee Man of Orn" is a > story Wolfe would write if he could write stories for children. Also > fantasy stories by Baum, Horace Wapole, George McDonald, Lafferty, > and Philip K. Dick. > > If your son enjoyed Pyle's King Arthur then he would probably be > able to appreciate Kenneth Morris' "The Book of Three Dragons", a > free retelling of the labors of Manawyddan. The scene where > Manawyddan confronts the literary critics is perfect. > > There's the Gormenghast trilogy. Some kids (and adults) *really* > like it and some don't at all. > > The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales has almost a year's worth of nightly > readings. The Windermere Series "The Arabian Knights Entertainments" > is perfect for reading to kids. It includes the stories kids are > most likely to be familiar with (unlike Richard Burton's translation > which are almost unreadable and certainly unreadable to children). > But perhaps a better choice is a large volume called "The Enchanted > World: The Greatest Folk and Fairy Tales" which combines stories > from the Grimms, Arabian Nights, Lang, Charles Perault, William > Griffs, and others. > > Speaking of which, don't roll you're eyes but the 20 volume Time > Life Enchanted World series is absolutely *packed* with readable > stories from all over the world. Some of them are really creepy, > which is appealing to boys. And the illustrations are phenomenal. > You can often pick the volumes up at used bookstores for as little > as $2. > > Also, the graphic novels by Jim Fitzgerald on the myths of Ireland. > > I tried hard to convince my wife we needed more kids, and the > opportunity to read to them and teach them to read was probably my > impetus. > > J. > _______________________________________________ --- ### Andrew Bryant *23 Mar 2010, 02:27 · in reply to Son of Witz* My kid is negative 3 months and I'm already looking forward to reading through this list with him. Is it too early to build up the library? Anyway, thanks for the ideas, James, and everyone. I will only contribute one title - "World Tales" by Idries Shah, the out of print illustrated edition, makes great bedtime readings and the illustrations are amazing and haunting, by about 30 different artists. Costs about 30-40 bucks on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/WORLD-TALES-Shah-Idries-ed/dp/B000JN9PQI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269311124&sr=8-4 Andrew > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:11 PM, Son of Witz wrote: > Thanks James. I'm saving this post, such great stuff. That must be cool to > have your daughter reading to you on drives. > > I remember those Time Life books a bit, and my wife is incredibly fond of > them. > > > em > > On Mar 22, 2010, at 5:49 PM, Stuart Hamm wrote: > > My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom > Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! > I guess it doesn't take long. glad my sons are spread out in age. I can > enjoy this for some time yet. > > ~witz > > > > > On Mar 22, 2010, at 4:48 PM, James Wynn wrote: > > Thanks John & Allan. >>> The D'Aulaires look great. I'll be picking those up for sure. >>> We watched the Jim Henson Storyteller: Greek Myths recently and my son >>> loved them. I thought they might leave him cold. A few weeks later he >>> recounted the story of Icarus to me and said "he shoulda listened to his >>> father" all seriously. :D >> I miss being able to read to my kids. Fortunately I still have one >> daughter who is willing to read to ME on long drives. >> >> Let's see (for what it's worth)... >> >> Check out the Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends by Anne Terry White. It >> includes Greek myths but also Persian, Nordic, and British stories. The >> illustrations are amazing IMO. >> >> http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Treasury-Legends-Adapted-Classics/dp/B000P4HH9S%3FSubscriptionId%3D15HRV3AZSMPK0GXTY102%26tag%3Die8suggestion-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000P4HH9S >> >> You shouldn't miss the opportunity to read all the Winnie the Pooh stories >> to your kids. It's extremely enjoyable for adults but there is an age when a >> kid won't tolerate it. >> >> The Wizard of Oz stories are obvious choices. You get 14 volumes IIRC by >> Baum, but then after him there's Ruth Plumly Thompson's stories (whom Wolfe >> has identified as an influence). >> >> David Hartwell (Gene Wolfe's editor) produced the twin volumes >> "Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder" and "Masterpieces of Fantasy and >> Enchantment". They collect fantasy stories from the 19th century to modern >> times that are all just a little bit skewed from all the fantasy that is >> squarely in Tolkien's shadow. The collection includes Wolfe's "The Detective >> of Dreams" for instance. But each volume also has a story by Frank Stockton. >> "The Bee Man of Orn" is a story Wolfe would write if he could write stories >> for children. Also fantasy stories by Baum, Horace Wapole, George McDonald, >> Lafferty, and Philip K. Dick. >> >> If your son enjoyed Pyle's King Arthur then he would probably be able to >> appreciate Kenneth Morris' "The Book of Three Dragons", a free retelling of >> the labors of Manawyddan. The scene where Manawyddan confronts the literary >> critics is perfect. >> >> There's the Gormenghast trilogy. Some kids (and adults) *really* like it >> and some don't at all. >> >> The Complete Grimm Fairy Tales has almost a year's worth of nightly >> readings. The Windermere Series "The Arabian Knights Entertainments" is >> perfect for reading to kids. It includes the stories kids are most likely to >> be familiar with (unlike Richard Burton's translation which are almost >> unreadable and certainly unreadable to children). But perhaps a better >> choice is a large volume called "The Enchanted World: The Greatest Folk and >> Fairy Tales" which combines stories from the Grimms, Arabian Nights, Lang, >> Charles Perault, William Griffs, and others. >> >> Speaking of which, don't roll you're eyes but the 20 volume Time Life >> Enchanted World series is absolutely *packed* with readable stories from all >> over the world. Some of them are really creepy, which is appealing to boys. >> And the illustrations are phenomenal. You can often pick the volumes up at >> used bookstores for as little as $2. >> >> Also, the graphic novels by Jim Fitzgerald on the myths of Ireland. >> >> I tried hard to convince my wife we needed more kids, and the opportunity >> to read to them and teach them to read was probably my impetus. >> >> J. >> _______________________________________________ --- ### Adam Thornton *23 Mar 2010, 03:26 · in reply to Stuart Hamm* > Stuart Hamm wrote: > My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom > Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! > > Does it still hold up? My wife asked me last night, and I don't know, having not revisited it in a couple decades, and I haven't dug it out yet. Adam --- ### Russ Allbery *23 Mar 2010, 03:32 · in reply to Adam Thornton* Adam Thornton writes: > Stuart Hamm wrote: >> My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom >> Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! > Does it still hold up? My wife asked me last night, and I don't know, > having not revisited it in a couple decades, and I haven't dug it out > yet. I still love it. ``` Russ Allbery (rra at stanford.edu) ``` --- ### Stuart Hamm *23 Mar 2010, 03:50 · in reply to Adam Thornton* great...really enjoying it! ???????? ? ? ?Mobile — (415) 786-3624 STUHAMM.COM FACEBOOK/STUARTHAMM myspace.com/stuhamm Skype? stuart.hamm ? ?? --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Adam Thornton wrote: From: Adam Thornton Subject: Re: (urth) D'Aulaires books To: "The Urth Mailing List" Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 8:26 PM > Stuart Hamm wrote: > My 10 year old is allowing me to re-read her "The Phantom Tollbooth"...sigh...happy days! > > ? ? ? ? ? ??? Does it still hold up? My wife asked me last night, and I don't know, having not revisited it in a couple decades, and I haven't dug it out yet. Adam --- ### James Wynn *23 Mar 2010, 16:33 · in reply to Andrew Bryant* > My kid is negative 3 months and I'm already looking forward to reading > through this list with him. Is it too early to build up the library? Andrew, Some recomendations based on lessons learned: 1) Don't spend a lot of money on the books initially. Kids are absolute terrors to books. If they like them, they will read them to death, literally. You cannot train this out of them. They won't grow out of this until around 14 at best. When I noticed they took an enspecial to one of my books (so that they would read it on their own time), I learned to either buy a new one for myself or buy a cheap readers copy for them. 2) Start reading books with that are mainly pictures. When your child is almost able to form sentences, start reading Mother Goose (perhaps a sturdy board book with cartoon illustratons of animals). Put a tune to each rhyme. Eventually, you will be able to point to the rhyme and she will read it to you (sing, actually). Around 3 or four, you can graduate to Shel Silverstein and Eugene Field. 3) Although we want our kids to appreciate the classics. Have lots of books around that they can hope to learn to read on their own. PD Eastman is not Shakespeare, but "Are You My Mother?" is a story a 3 year old can easily follow and learn to read on her own. Correction: I said: > Also, the graphic novels by Jim Fitzgerald on the myths of Ireland. That's Jim FitzPATRICK. ---