Well-known author and storyteller, Gerald Hausman, donated over 1,500 of his children’s books to K is for Kids.

Florida State University student Thomas Rieber was on hand to receive the donation. “As a newcomer to the foundation it was great to have the opportunity to meet a distinguished author such as Gerald.”

The large gift, valued at close to $20,000, came in July as the author and his wife were planning to move away from Southwest Florida. Both wanted to leave a legacy behind for local children.

“I chose Karen’s K is for Kids program because I had worked with them before and because at that time they came highly recommended,” said Gerald, of why he chose to donate his books to the nonprofit organization founded by Karen Clawson. Having met Karen I can see why she is so good at what she does. She is compassionate, highly motivated and effective. Her program is practical as well as idealistic. It helps kids in a profound and yet realistic way, getting good books into their hands, but also inspiring them to read through various incentives. I am happy to help any way I can.”

 

Gerald is not only a children’s book author and storyteller; he has written adult books as well. He has published over seventy books altogether. His books mainly center on Native America, animals, mythology and West Indian Culture.

 

 

 

Gerald has lived in many places in the United States and West Indies and calls himself  a “native of the world.” While living in New Mexico for more than twenty years he collected and published many of his American Indian folktales, according to Gerald’s website.

Gerald has performed readings and storytellings throughout the Unites States and Europe and is known for his lively and engaging style.

“What an amazing legacy Gerald leaves behind for local children,” Clawson noted, who also serves as K is for Kids’ executive director.  “This is the largest private collection of books donated to the foundation, valued at close to $20,000. We are just thrilled because we know how excited the children will be to get one of these new books to take home and keep.”

 

Below is a summary of Gerald’s children’s books that the kids will now get to enjoy. The books are as much fun to feast the eyes upon, being beautifully illustrated, as they are to read!

K is for Kids would like to thank author Gerald Hausman for his generosity and support in helping bring more books to more children.

To read more about Gerald Hausman, visit – http://www.geraldhausman.com/

For more information about his beautiful books, visit: http://www.geraldhausman.com/books.php

 

 How Chipmunk Got Tiny Feet

Native American Animal Origin Tales

Drawing from Southeastern, Northwestern and Southwestern American Indian traditions, Gerald Hausman’s retelling of seven porquoi tales has become a classroom classic, the most requested book on this author’s list of titles. In paperback, for the first time, little chipmunk and friends reach out to a new audience of readers. In these seven, action-packed adventures, created directly from oral stories heard by the author, readers learn why horse and butterfly are related; why lizard is flat; why coyote has yellow eyes, and much more. Native storytellers say that long ago, animals walked and talked like human beings, and they were not exactly as they appear today; possum didn’t always have a skinny tail, nor did chipmunk such small feet. Changes in nature came about when animal people learned to adapt to life as it was being lived, moment by moment. The stunning artwork of Ashley Wolff won an American Illustrator’s Award the year this book first appeared in 1995.

 

 

Doctor Bird

Three Jamaican Lookin’ Up Tales

Three stories about a popular Jamaican folk tale character. Doctor Bird, a beautiful hummingbird, displays optimism, wit, the ability to work magic, and a penchant for using
rhymes and riddles to teach lessons as he tries to reform a thieving mongoose, encourages and comforts a homeless mouse, and shows an owl that it’s important to be yourself. The tales have easy to follow action and morals that children will appreciate. A traditional ending is used for all three: “And if this story isn’t true, let the keeper of heaven’s door say so now.” The inclusion of unfamiliar creatures such as Mr. Pocket Parrot, Miss Banana Quit, and Uncle Galliwasp, and references to vegetation, games and other local practices provide regional flavor.

“In these humorous, well-told, and gently oral tales, Doctor Bird, a clever, “upful” (optimistic) hummingbird in top hat and flowing tales, convinces Mongoose to stop stealing (for a while); helps Mouse find food and shelter after a storm; and teaches Owl to make peace with being Owl. Wolff’s lively illustrations give all the animals lots of personality.”

– The Horn Book

“A great book for sharing…”

– School Library Journal

 

 

Horses of Myth

Horses have been our companions since our earliest times on this earth. Without the horse’s strong back, we couldn’t have built the world we know today. According to mythology, our connection goes even deeper–it says that long ago humans were born of horses, and we can still remember flying with them across the heavens. The five stories in this book pay homage to that magic being, the noble horse. You will meet the Arabian racer who outran Time on the sands of the Sahara, the American mustang who stopped a battle in Montana, the Mongolian pony who changed his shape and his owner’s fortune, the Timor, who chased ghosts on the island of Tahiti, and the Karabair in Armenia who made a man into a legendary leader. These are mystical tales that tell of racers, jumpers, warriors, carriers, healers and stealers of the human heart.

“The Hausmans follow up Cats of Myth with a briefer but similarly world-spanning set of horse stories, each one retold in an idiom evocative of its origins and backed up by closing comments about featured breeds and source notes…Matching style to setting, Florczak gives his full-page and full-spread paintings distinctive looks for each engaging tale”

– John Peters, Booklist

“These five tales each feature a different type of horse, remarkable for both its individuality and the qualities representative of its breed. In each case, the animal plays an important–or even life-changing–role in the existence of its human owner (or, perhaps better, partner)… Florczak’s illustrations adapt characteristics appropriate to the locations and time periods of each selection’s origins: from the stylized, almost lacquered look of the tales from Asia to the rich tropics suggestive of Gauguin to the comical cowboy in The Mustang. The Hausmans include afterwords and acknowledgments, giving more information about the backgrounds of the stories and their approach to writing them. This is an attractive volume, useful to teachers and librarians for read-alouds and of interest to horse-loving youngsters.”

– Coop Renner, School Library Journal

 

 

 Duppy Talk

 West Indian Tales of Mystery and Magic

A unique collection of authentic West Indian ghost stories. The tales feature a shadow-catching obeah man, a Caribbean bush doctor, a magician, a mermaid, and the folklorist Gerald Hausman, who seeks the strange and bizarre in the forests of Jamaica where he is working as a school teacher. The author presents duppies or ghosts in a way that is mysterious, suspenseful, as well as humorous and magical. Whether you’re looking for history or just island atmosphere, this book delivers spine-tingling and amusing folklore.

“…bone-rattling ghost stories…”

– James Berry, Jamaican author of Ajeema and His Son

“You can almost smell the breezes off the sea and jungle as you read them.”

– Roger Zelazny, Hugo and Nebula Award winner

 

 

Ghost Walk

The stories explore the realm of the supernatural as it complements and shadows everyday life. These are ghost stories in the nontraditional sense tales of the spirit of Native America. This is the second in the series (Turtle Dream is Book One) also sensitively drawn by Sid Hausman in a style that recaptures the authentic style of old western illustration. The book is an intriguing look at legend and real life, the stories featuring real people, most of them Native American friends of the author.

 

 

 

 

 

The Boy from Nine Miles: The Early Life of Bob Marley

by Cedelia Marley and Gerald Hausman 

Art by Mariah Fox

Bob Marley’s music is known around the globe. The BBC selected One Love as the anthem of the millenium and Time magazine declared EXODUS the album of the twentieth century. However, while much has been said about the man and his music, very little has been written about his childhood and the influences that made him into the most important artist to give voice to the third world.
Alive with the vivid colors of Jamaica, The Boy From Nine Miles begins in the small village where Nesta Robert Marley opened his eyes to the world. The story moves to the markets and streets of Kingston. Here, separated from his family, the five-year-old boy first felt the pain and sorrows of poverty. During his year-long stay in Kingston, the young Marley also found the music that was in his heart. By the time he returned to Nine Miles, he knew he would be a singer.
Eloquently told by Cedella Marley and Gerald Hausman, The Boy From Nine Milesis illustrated by Mariah Fox in the folk art style of Jamaica. Complete with additional biographical material, a discography, Jamaican glossary, and a brief time-line, The Boy from Nine Miles is a wonderful introduction to Bob Marley that readers of all ages will cherish and enjoy.

“…a delightful and long awaited children’s version of Bob’s life …invitingly vivid drawings by Mariah Fox…highly recommended for de yout’ dem.”

– Roger Steffens, Beat Magazine

“…this intriguing biography describes Marley’s early life in such fateful terms…rich rhythmic language, rife with biblical imagery…”

– The Ruminator Review

 

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