First published 2001
Young Aaron faces a blizzard with only his family's goat Zlateh for company. When a storm traps them for three days in a haystack shelter, the boy must rely on the animal's warmth and milk to survive. Their ordeal transforms his understanding of the bond between humans and creatures. This collection presents seven stories rooted in Eastern European Jewish folklore. Each tale follows characters who encounter wonder in their daily lives. A village deals with supernatural visitors. Children discover magic hiding in ordinary moments. Parents and grandparents share wisdom through stories within stories. Singer draws from the rich oral tradition of his Polish childhood, crafting narratives that speak to both young readers and adults. The stories explore themes of survival, family bonds, and the thin boundary between the practical world and the realm of spirits and dreams.
Genres: short-stories, fairy-tales, folklore, jewish
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, human-animal-bond
Setting: Eastern Europe, Poland
Period: 20th Century
104 pages · Library Binding · HarperCollins