Once There Was and Was Not: Armenian Tales Retold

by Virginia A. Tashjian, Nonny Hogrogian (Illustrator)

All the stories told here, from "The Foolish Man" who couldn't recognize good luck when it stared him in the face to "Nazar the Brave," the terrible coward who felled a thousand at a single blow, are wise and humorous, wonderful to read or listen to, and illustrated in true Armenian style and colors.

Genres: Folk Tales

83 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Virginia Tashjian was for many years the director of the Newton Free Library (MA) but above all she was a devoted storyteller, combining her dedication to the Newton community for 50 years with her love of folktales. The Children's Room at the Newton Library is named for her.

She was also a president of the Children’s Roundtable, president of the Massachusetts Library Association, president of New England Library Association and a member of the American Library Association. Her six children’s books received several honors and citations. Of Armenian descent, she lived in Watertown, MA until her death in 2008.

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this 1966 little gem of a book being tossed away at a library. Excellent classic folk tales.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago -- and found it again when I was looking for Armenian folktales. It consists of seven tales from Armenia, based on stories by the folklorist H. Toumanian, retold by Virginia A. Tashjian. The stories are short and fun to read or tell. Light-hearted. Tales of fools and wise folk, demons and talking animals, slackers and hard-workers, practical plans and magic. Many will remind readers of similar stories from other lands and cultures. The illustrations by Caldecott-medalist Nonny Hogrogian, give touches of Armenian folk art.

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 4 out of 5]

These tales are great lessons and they are perfect for bedtime stories, around fifteen minutes reading time for each one. The one about losing one's temper was great to talk about with the three year old.