Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale
Grade 2-5.  A "wise-fool" story set in the deserts of Arabia. Hosni, a simple shepherd, works for a sheikh. Alone much of the day, he talks to his sheep; at night, he listens to the tribal elders' tales and dreams of faraway cities. When the sheikh goes to a city to sell camels, he takes some shepherds with him, including Hosni. Each one receives a golden dinar to spend as he pleases. Dazzled, the man wanders the busy streets and crowded markets, finally exchanging his dinar for a verse, words of wisdom from an old man. Of course, the other shepherds make fun of Hosni, and, of course, the verse?a bit of homely advice?not only saves his life, but also serves to introduce him to his future wife. Basing his story on a folktale, Ben-Ezer uses crisp, vivid language throughout; he includes descriptions and phrases that suggest the tale's setting. Shulevitz's illustrations add a light, comic touch. The sheikh appears stubby and self-important; the other shepherds seem foolishly self-congratulatory. Hosni alone has a quiet dignity. The desert provides the backdrop for most of the story; its stylized landforms echo the shapes of the city towers, which in turn repeat the shapes of the shepherds' turbans and camel packs. Colors include soft greens, blues, and reds, but a desert gold predominates. The hue suggests both Hosni's good fortune and the richness of his dreams.?Ellen D. Warwick, Winchester Public Library, MACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.